Richard Scarry's cheerful illustrations bring 50 Mother Goose nursery rhymes to
life in this 96 page collection put together by Golden Books.
I learned to read by memorizing these nursery rhymes -
eventually associating the verbal with written words. And when my children were
preschoolers they learned about written words the same way!
An important
part about this book is that with
just one rhyme per page there is not an
overwhelming group of words per page to become confusing.
Saying the
nursery rhymes together is a great way to give your preschooler a good start on
appreciating reading, and feed their self-confidence.
You probably know I
really love Richard Scarry's contributions to teaching children to read, and to
learn about themselves and the world, from the number of reviews I've presented
on his other books.
Some nursery rhymes included are - Jack be nimble; A
dillar, a dollar; Bobby Shafto; Georgie, Porgie; Hey diddle, diddle; Jack, be
nimble; Little Boy Blue; Little Miss Muffet and London Bridge.
Combining
the good quality of Golden Books and Richard Scarry, makes this a highly
recommended volume of these traditional rhymes!
Details: 96 pages
in hardcover; published by Golden Books (September 1, 1999) ISBN: 0307155781
To order from Amazon.com go to
Best
Mother Goose Ever! - Giant Golden Book - by Richard Scarry
7. Best Rainy Day Book Ever by Richard Scarry
|
This large paperback has fun activities that children can do by themselves while
learning early building blocks for academics.
My daughter had fun doing these activities, and I must admit, I
still enjoy browsing a new copy at the bookstore!
The projects reinforce
early math skills through practical applications. And because they look fun and
interesting children are encouraged to practice their reading skills to follow
the instructions.
Actually, the pages are so well illustrated that
reading the instructions is hardly necessary.
Recommended for all 3
learning styles - visual, auditory and kinesthetic - a chance to look over the
pages, listen to parent or older child read instructions, and practice small
motor skills.
Details: 144 page large 10 and a half by 9 inch
paperback published by Golden Books. ISBN 037582927X
To order from
Amazon.com
Best
Rainy Day Book Ever by Richard Scarry
8. Best Word Book Ever! by Richard Scarry
|
My children loved this large Golden Book, and I must admit I enjoyed looking at
the pages, also. It is a fun way to learn the names of many objects.
The main characters are Kenny and Kathy Bear, and along with
their friends they let the reader see many items that belong to specific
locations.
I like that each place is illustrated in a different style.
It is like reading several books at once.
The illustrations have a great
deal of depth and intricacy - each time you read you see something
new.
I feel this book is a fun way for a child to learn who may need
reinforcement in associating names or words with objects.
I highly
recommend this as an addition to your child's learning library! I wish I had
been able to learn vocabulary this way, but in my day it was mainly with
flashcards!
Details - 72 pages; 10.5 by 11.7 inches; published by
Golden Books; ISBN: 0307155102
Available at this link from
Amazon.com
Best
Word Book Ever! by Richard Scarry
| 9. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl |
Charlie Bucket, the main character in
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
by Welsh author, Roald Dahl, leads us on a journey into the land of chocolate
through a series of adventures and misadventures.
There are many lessons to be gleaned from the tale and children
of all abilities can learn something from thinking about the story played out by
each of the main children in the story.
I think Mr. Dahl gives a strong
case for cause and effect by what happens to the children in the book who embody
overeating, being overly materialistic, watching too much tv, and chewing gum
excessively. (I think it is also meant that adults substitute in their own
bad habits in place of those of the kids.)
The story begins in a European
town that houses a chocolate factory. The owner, Willy Wonka, wraps 5 golden
tickets inside 5 chocolate Wonka bars for sale. Those who open their bar and
have a golden ticket are invited on a tour of Mr. Wonka's chocolate making
factory.
That is where all the trials and tribulations begin as the
children act out their obsessive characteristics and get in lots of trouble. But
our hero, Charlie Bucket, who is a child who embodies virtue ends up rising
above their troubles when put to the ultimate test, and reaps a just
reward.
It is a heart-warming story and a fine adventure. The book has
also been made into the movie "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." It has
won numerous awards such as the New England Round Table of Children's Librarians
Award in the USA in 1972; and the Millennium Children's Book Award in the UK in
2000.
This story has my highest
recommendation!
Details - 176 pages paperback; Puffin; Reprint
edition (August 16, 2007); 7.6 by 5 by .6 inches in size; ISBN-10: 0142410314;
ISBN-13: 978-0142410318
Three versions from
Amazon.com
The
book: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
DVD
Audio
CD
| 10. Education of Little Tree by Forrest Carter |
This Book of the Year, ABBY Award Winner, is a timeless story of a young boy
raised in rural Tennessee by his half Cherokee Granpa and Cherokee Granma.
After 5 year old Little Tree's parents die, his Grandpa comes
to take him to live in the hills and forest of Tennessee with him and Granma
during the Great Depression.
Little Tree grows in love and respect for
nature by learning how to live the harmonious ways of the Cherokee. A big plus
for the reader is learning about the farming and hunting skills used to survive
in the woods, and in this circumstance in history - such as how to clear land
and grow vegetables in the forest.
Humor carries the story that
education is far more than book learning, told through the style of anecdotal
recollections.
The book is narrated through the perspective of a very
wise child, unencumbered by material overload that may have come from growing up
in the city.
The Education of Little Tree will bring many emotions
to the forefront; a book you want to read just a little longer before putting
down.
I recommend this as good read for adults, young adults, and for
reading to school-age children. I have reread it almost annually.
It is a
book that is instructional for depicting a time and place in American history,
and at the same time it is fun and interesting to read because the pace moves
along at a good clip.
Details - 228 page paperback; University of
New Mexico Press; 8.1 by 5.3 inches; ISBN: 0826328091
Here is a link
to Amazon.com if you wish to order this book:
"The
Education of Little Tree by Forrest Carter"
| 11. Fundamentele bewegingen voor kinderen by Susan Kramer (Dutch language) |
Fundamentele bewegingen voor kinderen met dansjes, meditaties en yoga
door Susan Kramer - 16 Ritmische, basale, motorische vaardigheden, 9 dansjes, 9
meditaties voor ontspanning en 15 zacht bewegende yoga houdingen voor kinderen
van alle leeftijden en bekwaamheden. Plaatsing: 477.8 Bewegingsonderwijs;
Basisonderwijs; Didactiek. Volledig geïllustreerd, 108 pagina's. Nederlands
taal.
Inhoud
Deel 1- Ritmische basale
motorische vaardigheden
Sleutel voor het klappen van ritmes
Een
opmerking over de illustraties
1. Lopen
2. Rennen
3. Marcheren
4.
Galopperen
5. Glijden
6. Hinkelen
7. Opspringen
8. Ver
springen
9. Fietsen
10. Dansen als een paard
11. Wijzen met de
teen
12. Huppelen
13. Walsen
14. Menuet dansen
15. Schotse polka
dansen
16. Polka dansen
Om te oefenen - 9 Dansjes
Deel 2 -
Meditaties
Inleiding
Zittend
Liggend
Lopend
Onmiddellijke
ontspanning
Deel 3 - Korte meditatie
verhalen
Inleiding
Anneke en Hans leren
een zitmeditatie aan
het strand
een loopmeditatie langs de vaart
een dansmeditatie in het
park
een ontspanningsmeditatie in de wei
een les over instant
meditatie
Deel 4 - Zacht bewegende yoga houdingen
Opmerking
1.
Het blad
2. De bloem
3. De krekel
4. De uil
5. De vogel
6.
De eekhoorn
7. De hamster
8. De schommelstoel
9. De zeehond
10.
De groet
11. De slang
12. De schildpad
13. De zeester
14. De
kattenrug
15. De schommel
ISBN:
978-90-78099-01-7
Paperback
boek koop hier via internet:
Lulu Press en Amazon.com
| 12. Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell |
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell, winner of the Newbery Medal
in 1961 joins our recommended list of books, because of the example of
resourcefulness the young girl, Karana, shows in surviving alone.
Stranded by herself on an island off the coast of California
for 18 years, Karana relies on her inner strength, courage and skills to cope
and grow.
The author shares what island flora and fauna could be like
and this reader was immersed in the pictures of the environment seeing the daily
struggles and challenges right along with Karana.
Scott O'Dell,
(1898-1989), was a prolific 20th century author.
Island of the Blue
Dolphins" was written for children, but he also wrote fiction and nonfiction
for adults. Growing up in Southern California he enjoyed the ocean and being
outdoors.
Coming back to modern times and the elementary school
classroom for a moment, a student faced with academic challenges has an
opportunity through reading Karana's story of coping and thriving, to see that
there is more than one way to learn and grow in life. The story gives
hope.
It is a particularly appropriately book to read aloud to kids, with
the rich description of images.
I feel that when one door is closed there
is probably another that is opening that makes use of different learning skills,
and
Island of the Blue Dolphins is a great example.
Details
- for upper elementary reading level in 192 pages; published by Yearling; ISBN:
0440439884.
To order from Amazon.com go to
Island
of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
13. Meditation for all Kids by Susan Kramer
|
How to teach through description and illustration: sitting, walking, dance,
relaxation, instant, music, running, swinging, biking and swimming meditations,
plus a chapter of guided meditations on virtues, and a chapter of affirmations,
inspirations and prayers. For tots to teens of all abilities. Useful resource
for parents, educators, and interfaith clergy. 100 pages.
Included in text
Chapter I.
About Meditation for all Kids
Meditation and Spiritual Living
Meditation and Meditative Movement
Benefits of Meditation
Chapter
II. How to Teach Kids Meditation
How to Teach Sitting Meditation
How
to Teach Walking Meditation
How to Teach Relaxation Meditation
How to
Teach Music Meditation
Chapter III. Basic Meditations for
Kids
Sitting Meditation
Walking Meditation
Relaxation
Meditation
Instant Meditation
Running Meditation
Swinging
Meditation
Biking Meditation
Swimming Meditation
Chapter IV. Guided
Meditations on Virtues
Guided Meditation on Friendliness
Guided
Meditation on Being Compassionate
Guided Meditation on Being Honest
Guided
Meditation about Being Kind
Guided Meditation about Sharing
Chapter V.
Group Circle Meditation
Part I. Opening Verse
Part II. Short
Meditation
Part III. Song
Chapter VI. Dance
Meditation
Preparation
Part I. Stretching
Part II. Dancing and
Elements of Movement
Part III. Quiet Time Meditation
Chapter VII.
Affirmations, Inspirations,
Prayers
Introduction
Affirmations
Inspirations
Special and
Holiday Prayers
100 pages.
About the author: Susan
Kramer has been teaching dance, yoga and meditation to kids of all ages and
abilities for more than 30 years.
Available at Lulu Press or Amazon.com
14. Poems and Prayers for the Very Young by Martha Alexander
|
This little collection of 38 poems and prayers is just perfect for quiet time
before bed. My children grew up with this little book, which, by the way, was
sturdy enough to last for years.
One of the
beauties of this children's book is that the selections are short enough to
memorize and remember for a lifetime.
I like the fact that meal time
prayers are included - my kids liked to have a variety of prayers to say grace.
What better way for children to practice feeling appreciative than through
little poems and prayers that easily come to mind.
I love the gentle
illustrations by Martha Alexander. She uses just the right colors to bring light
to each page. Her little people are delicate and bright and nice to look at.
I've always thought they serve as models of how I should think and
act.
I've even seen one of my granddaughters snuggled up on the couch
turning through the pages even though not old enough to read.
Any child
will look forward to some of the selections, or even the whole book, for their
bedtime story. What better way to finish the day than with some uplifting verse
or prayer for any of us, young or old!
Details: 32 page paperback;
published by Random House Books for Young Readers (August 12, 1973) ISBN:
0394827058
To order from Amazon.com go to
"Poems
and Prayers for the Very Young" - Selected and Illustrated by Martha
Alexander
| 15. Prayers for Children by Eloise Wilkin |
One of my favorite Golden Books - and I enjoyed many -
Prayers for
Children by Eloise Wilkin is still just as appropriate for young readers
today!
You and your child will enjoy the traditional prayers,
inspiring all the more because of the precious illustrations by Eloise Wilkin
(1904-1987), who illustrated many in the series of classic Golden
Books.
I like that the hardcover stays sturdy over the years - right into
adulthood. You don't have to worry that the book will fall apart with much loved
use. It your kids are rough and tumble a book's sturdiness is something to
consider when choosing amongst several similar books.
The visual impact
of each page is a comfort just to look at, over and over, as each prayer is
developing spiritual guidelines for living.
About the illustrations - to
me they are the best part of the little book - the children with soft whisps of
hair, round cheeked faces and kind expressions all the children share.
I
remember as a child I wanted to be just like the little girls in the book, so as
an adult I have seen how important it is to give our children just the right
books to read as they may be influenced, as I was, long past childhood.
I
am so glad that the Little Golden Book series has endured over the years. It
goes to show that which is worthwhile is a good acquisition for today's
family.
I do recommend the addition of this little volume to your child's
library!
Details: 24 pages in hardcover; published by Golden Books
(November 19, 1999); ISBN: 0307021068
To order from Amazon.com go
to
"Prayers
for Children" by Eloise Wilkin
| 16. Richard Scarry's Best First Book Ever! |
Huckle Cat and Lowly Worm learn about the alphabet, shapes, sizes, colors,
counting, manners and more in this 48 page hardcover book by Richard Scarry. The
publisher is Random House Books for Young Readers, the ISBN is 0394842502.
The illustrations are detailed with items in the pictures
labeled for word recognition, or even for just a growing association with
written language.
As most of us who have read Richard Scarry's books for
young kids know, he has a knack for teaching basic living skills through his
interesting animal characters. My children learned many lessons through his
stories that sunk in more than when I told them how to act!
For a child
with a short attention span, this book is perfect because just a couple of pages
is enough to teach a particular concept or lesson.
And, I love sitting
and looking at the detailed drawings that incorporate humor into the
story.
I highly recommend this addition to your child's library!
Available
through
this link at Amazon.com
| 17. Richard Scarry's Please and Thank You Book |
Parents, do you remember Pig Will and Pig Won't?
Each of the short stories in this paperback book use animal
characters in a sketch that demonstrates how we get treated best when we say
'please' and 'thank you' and consider others' needs, too.
And that
kindness gives us the soft heart we need to feel empathy for others - how they
are feeling.
This little book teaches kids that when they are polite
they'll bring a smile to someone's face and feel good themselves.
Another
aspect of this book I like is it lets pre-readers or those having trouble
reading words absorb the story by looking at the pictures, page by page, because
the illustrations tell the story so well - just like the cliché "a picture's
worth a thousand words."
The whole series of Richard Scarry's books for
kids are both educational and entertaining - you'll find several reviewed here
in the Learning Library.
Highly recommended!
Details - 32
pages; Random House Books for Young Readers; 8 by 8 inches; ISBN:
0394826817
Here is a link to Amazon.com if you wish to order this
book:
"Richard
Scarry's Please and Thank You Book"
| 18. Yoga for all Kids by Susan Kramer |
Traditional yoga poses and meditation techniques have been adapted to help
foster motor skill development, coordination, concentration, and stress relief
for children, teens and adults of varying abilities or special needs.
The elements can be used as a group activity, or practiced individually.
How to live social skills, and a dictionary of 40 one-sentence hints for
happiness complete this book of techniques, providing a broad offering of yoga's
nurturing.
A useful resource for parents homeschooling or teachers that
want to bring harmony back into the classroom!
I recommend this text as
an all-around resource with kids of all ages and abilities, as well as for
adults to follow. Afterall, it is probably the parents who are reading the book
first before giving it to their kids to browse through.
It has my highest
recommendation, therefore, for all ages - for the kid in us
all.
Contents
Introduction
Meditations
1.
Sitting
2. Relaxation
3. Walking
4. Instant Stress Relief
Moving Yoga Poses
Guidelines
Benefits
1. The Leaf
2.
The Flower
3. The Cricket
4. The Owl
5. The Bird
6. The
Squirrel
7. The Chipmunk
8. The Rocker
9. The Seal
10. The
Salutation Pose
11. The Snake Pose
12. The Turtle
13. The
Starfish
14. The Cat Pose
15. The Swing
How to Live Social
Skills
Introduction
1. Citizenship
2. Compassion
3.
Contentment
4. Friendship
5. Honesty
6. Kindness
7. Manners
8.
Respect
9. Responsibility
10. Tolerance
11. Trustworthiness
12.
Truthfulness
Happiness Dictionary
40 One-Sentence Hints for
Happiness
83 pages
About the author
Susan Kramer
has been teaching meditation, yoga and dance to students of all ages and
abilities since 1965.
Available as a
Paperback Book or Download from Lulu Press
