Early Literacy Skill Development: Vocabulary
All of the books chosen this week build vocabulary. Reading to children will build their vocabulary and their brains! These books were chosen for their specific ability to expand vocabulary skills.
I Stink by Kate and Jim McMullan
Children will love this grimy, but spirited story about a garbage truck and the objects he picks up. I Stink illustrates the seedy underworld of garbage disposal in an educationally fun manner. The authors, Kate and Jim McMullan, manage to demonstrate the ABC’s in a gross and amusing fashion children and adults will enjoy.
Eating the Alphabet by Lois Ehlert
Anyone who enjoys the beautiful illustrations of Lois Ehlert will enjoy this book. If you’re not familiar with Lois Ehlert, this is a great book to start. The food depictions are bright and colorful. Children will enjoy pointing and naming the different food pictures while learning the alphabet.
Oh Say Can You Say? By Dr. Seuss
There is a reason that Dr. Seuss books are classics. The books can be enjoyed generation to generation because they are so good. Adults will have so much fun reading out loud, or trying to read out loud, Oh Say Can You Say while children will enjoy listening. Reading this book is like reading amusing poetry. Create a memorable experience and read this one with a kid.
Cold Little Duck, Duck, Duck by Lisa Westberg Peters
Cold Little Duck, Duck, Duck is a pleasure to read, read, read. Watch Little Duck bring a spring thaw with positive thinking and encouragement from friends. Each page has a repeating word which will build vocabulary and creates a fun reading experience. Kids will like to repeat the words with their adult, making the book three times the fun to read together.
Is Your Mama a Llama? by Deborah Guarino
Follow little Llama Lloyd in this charming story as he tries to find his mama. Lloyd asks different animal friends if their mama is a Llama, leading children to guess the name of each baby animal’s mama. I have heard this story read many times in library story times and children can’t help but yell out the correct animal mama, having fun guessing before anyone else does. Reading this one will ensure the same sort of enjoyment.
Dinosaur Train by John Steven Gurney
Dinosaur Train will ignite the imagination with its creatively entertaining story. Take the Dinosaur Train with Jesse and see how dinosaurs like to travel. Vocabulary is built with the easy but pointed dialog in the story. Children will love saying, “uh-oh” along with Jesse when the train runs into a dino accident and take pleasure in the ultimate resolution.
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
Mouse outsmarts all the animals out to get him by creating the story of a Gruffalo, mouse then must outsmart the Gruffalo who turns out to be more than fiction. Children will love the rhyming verse and the smart story. Creative and inventive, The Gruffalo is sure to be a children’s book classic.
Peanut Butter and Jellyfishes by Brian P. Cleary
Children learn their letters and their words in this beautifully illustrated book. Each letter of the alphabet is accompanied with words that begin with that letter. Fun, sweet, and a pleasure to read, Adults and children will love Peanut Butter and Jellyfishes.
I’m Not Scared by Jonathan Allen
Baby Owl takes a walk at night and shows his friends he’s not afraid of the dark. Different animal friends show up to help baby Owl and baby owl has his stuffed friend, Owly. For every child who is grappling with night time fears, this book will show them it’s OK.
Thanksgiving Mice by Bethany Roberts
The Mice put on a Thanksgiving play about the pilgrims coming to America and the friends that helped them when they arrived. Children will learn the Thanksgiving story with this wonderful mice depiction. Thanksgiving Mice is a sweet story children will love to listen to.
It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles G. Shaw
“It looked like spilt milk, but it wasn’t”, what was it? Read the book and you’ll find out! Milky-white depictions of different images on each page will get you and your child seeing spilt milk in a new light. Children will enjoy using their imaginations with this book. Building vocabulary has never been so inventive.
The Best Time to Read by Debbie Bertram and Susan Bloom
The Best Time to Read shows that the only thing better than knowing how to read is being able to read to others. The book illustrates for children the joy of reading in a fun rhyming story. Reading this one will encourage children to get excited to share the knowledge of reading with those they love.
Snow by Manya Stojic
Children learn what happens with animals when it snows. Owl, Bear, Goose, Moose, Fox, and Rabbit all do something different when it snows. Bright, beautiful illustrations make this book an enjoyable read.
Don’t You Feel Well, Sam? By Amy Hest
Sam is sick and Mrs. Bear helps him to feel better. Children will relate with this story of what it’s like when kids get sick. Don’t You Feel Well, Sam? is a good book to help children understand sickness.
Bounce by Doreen Cronin and Scott Menchin
Bouncing is fun and a little bit risky. Sure to make you smile, bounce along with this amusing story. Children will expand their vocabulary and their bouncing repertoire. Caregivers may learn new bounces too!
Millie Waits for the Mail by Alexander Steffensmeier
Millie Waits for the Mail is a pleasure to read. The story of Millie and her preoccupation with the mailman is hilarious and endearing. The illustrations in Millie Waits for the Mail are so much fun. Everywhere you look there are attention-grabbing details. Children and caregivers will love this one.
Did You Say Pears? By Arlene Alda
Did You Say Pears is a clever book. Show children how words can have the same sound and sometimes even the same spelling and still mean two different things. A concept that is at times bewildering for children is beautifully illustrated in this wonderful book. Have fun reading Did You Say Pears? demonstrating the awesome and cool power of words.
Big Words for Little People by Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
Big Words for Little People is a sweet, amusing book that teaches exactly that, big words. A fun read to help children build their vocabulary. I think caregivers will be amazed how quickly children will learn and use the new “big” words taught in this book. A great source of exposure to words children might hear but not understand…yet.
All Your Own Teeth by Adrienne Geoghegan
All Your Own Teeth is the creative story of Stewart, the artist, who goes looking for the perfect animal to paint. While Stewart criticizes animal after animal for their supposed faults, children learn letters, letter sounds, and animal behavior. Until finally Stewart finds the perfect animal model, or does he?
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is sure to become a children’s classic. Inventive and original in its story concept, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom teaches children the alphabet. The book makes the letters of the alphabet seem wild and fun.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
My 1st 20 Suggested Children's Books
All of the books chosen this week encourage letter knowledge. While the stories build other early literacy skills, all of the books share the common quality of promoting letter knowledge for children ages 0-5.
Antler, Bear, Canoe: A Northwoods Alphabet Year by Betsy Bowen.
Antler, Bear, Canoe follows the seasons in Minnesota in rhythm with the alphabet. A is for Antler beginning in January and moving through the year until Z is for Zero, the Minnesota temperature in December. Beautifully written and illustrated by Betsy Bowen, Antler, Bear, Canoe depicts life in the northwoods of Minnesota and teaches the alphabet.
Art by Patrick McDonnell
Art is an artist who likes to express himself. A sweet and enduring story of a young artist named Art. Colorful both in language and illustrations, Art is a story that must be shared. Children will love to hear this story read aloud. Art is highly recommended to children young and old who like to express themselves.
Crunch, Munch by Jonathan London
How does a beaver eat? Or how does a giraffe eat? Crunch, Munch is a fun book about the silly sounds animals make when they eat. Obviously meant to be read out loud, Crunch Munch will encourage children to read along to mimic the fun sounds animals make.
A Is For Salad by Mike Lester
A is for salad, right? No? Well, to truly figure out if A is for salad, you have to read the book for yourself. The illustrations and language in the book work together to create a witty and fun way to learn the alphabet. I really liked this one for the way the pictures encourage conversation of letter comprehension.
Z Goes Home by Jon Agee
Z makes his way home, through a menagerie of alphabetic attractions. Z Goes Home persuades the readers to find the letter in the landscape while Z travels through the book. The bright, fun illustrations of Jon Agee make the book a great read.
The Turn-Around, Upside-Down Alphabet Book by Lisa Cambell Ernest
The Turn-Around, Upside-Down Alphabet Book is extremely clever. Turn the book upside-down and around, as the title suggests, the alphabet turns into new and exciting objects. Readers can come up with some ideas of their own encouraging amusing conversation of what letters look like. A cool and inventive way to get to know the letters of the alphabet and remember them!
The OK Book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld
The OK Book is a sweet and enjoyable read. Simple illustrations create an endearing and entertaining story. The OK Book is a wonderful story of what we’re good at, or OK at and it shows that it’s OK to be OK.
Old MacDonald Had a Woodshop by Lisa Shulman
Old MacDonald Had a Woodshop is a new take on an old classic. Old MacDonald and her friends build a surprise in her woodshop, having fun with the noises the tools make. Children will love singing along with this one, while learning the exciting sounds letters can make when put together in unusual ways.
A Gardener’s Alphabet by Mary Azarian
A Gardener’s Alphabet is a beautifully illustrated book of gardening delights. Each page features a delightful illustration of a gardening scene demonstrating a letter of the alphabet. Big, bold words will assist children in learning letters.
Alphabet City by Stephen T. Johnson
Can you find the letter in the city picture? Alphabet City is a great photographic collection of city scenes which assists children in learning the shapes of letters. The book encourages children to point the letter out in the picture to further encourage letter knowledge. A fun, creative way to see the alphabet, adults and children will enjoy Alphabet City.
The Bouncing, Dancing, Galloping ABC by Charlotte Doyle
The Bouncing, Dancing, Galloping ABC is about busy kids being busy, each activity beginning with a different letter of the alphabet. The rhyming flow of words make the story fun to read and fun to listen to. Active kids will enjoy the hustle and bustle of the book while gaining knowledge of their letters.
Playground Day by Jennifer J. Merz
Playground Day is an imaginative story of a game of pretend. Children guess what animal is on the next page based on what children are doing on the previous page. An entertaining story of how children can act like little animals, especially on the playground.
Where’s My Mom by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
Little monkey can’t find his mom and butterfly offers to help. Little monkey describes his mom and butterfly leads him to a different animal mom, until they find monkey’s mom together. Children will have fun reading along as butterfly gets it wrong again and again. The rhyming language makes this story all the more entertaining.
Dog’s Noisy Day: A story to read aloud by Emma Dodd
In one day Dog encounters many different animal friends who want to say hello, which makes for a very noisy day. Children will enjoy reading along learning the different sounds animals (and letters) make. Dog’s Noisy Day is an entertaining story children will want to read again and again.
Yes by Jez Alborough
Baby monkey Bobo learns to use the words ‘yes’ and ‘no’. Children will enjoy watching Bobo and friends express themselves with two little words, while learning letters. Caregivers will smile at the familiar exchange between Bobo and his mom as he uses the power of his words. Yes is a great, quick read everyone will enjoy.
Q is for Duck by Mary Elting and Michael Folsom
“Q is for duck. Why? Because ducks Quack”. The alphabet is turned into a guessing game in Q is for Duck. Children can guess why B is for dog or T is for elephant in this creative book. Learning the alphabet will be a fun challenge when reading Q is for Duck.
Alphabet Explosion: Search and count from alien to zebra by John Nickle
Alphabet Explosion is an alphabet game in a book. Instructions at the beginning of the book explain how to look for pictures beginning with a specific letter with a key at the back of the book. Alphabet Explosion is a creative approach to help children learn the sound and symbols of the alphabet. Counting is also incorporated into this clever book. Children and caregivers will be challenged to find all the objects on a page.
The Graphic Alphabet by David Pelletier
Each letter of the alphabet is a unique form of graphic art in this wonderful book. The Graphic Alphabet is a Caldecott Honor book. Children and caregivers will appreciate the aesthetically beautiful description of each letter of the alphabet. Unique and creative, all readers will enjoy this visually engaging book.
Matthew A.B.C. by Peter Catalanotto
Mrs. Tuttle is a teacher with a classroom full of Matthews. How does she tell them apart? Mrs. Tuttle’s description of each Matthew is the fun part and how the reader learns the alphabet. Children will enjoy seeing the personality of each Matthew come through. Matthew A.B.C. is a cute and entertaining book.
Old Black Fly by Jim Aylesworth
Old black fly goes buzzing around the house wreaking havoc as he goes. The story moves with black fly as he travels through the house landing on items beginning with letters of the alphabet, A to Z. The illustrations by Stephen Gammell are colorful and beautiful giving the story movement as well. The language of the story moves like a song, children will enjoy hearing Old Black Fly read outloud.
Antler, Bear, Canoe: A Northwoods Alphabet Year by Betsy Bowen.
Antler, Bear, Canoe follows the seasons in Minnesota in rhythm with the alphabet. A is for Antler beginning in January and moving through the year until Z is for Zero, the Minnesota temperature in December. Beautifully written and illustrated by Betsy Bowen, Antler, Bear, Canoe depicts life in the northwoods of Minnesota and teaches the alphabet.
Art by Patrick McDonnell
Art is an artist who likes to express himself. A sweet and enduring story of a young artist named Art. Colorful both in language and illustrations, Art is a story that must be shared. Children will love to hear this story read aloud. Art is highly recommended to children young and old who like to express themselves.
Crunch, Munch by Jonathan London
How does a beaver eat? Or how does a giraffe eat? Crunch, Munch is a fun book about the silly sounds animals make when they eat. Obviously meant to be read out loud, Crunch Munch will encourage children to read along to mimic the fun sounds animals make.
A Is For Salad by Mike Lester
A is for salad, right? No? Well, to truly figure out if A is for salad, you have to read the book for yourself. The illustrations and language in the book work together to create a witty and fun way to learn the alphabet. I really liked this one for the way the pictures encourage conversation of letter comprehension.
Z Goes Home by Jon Agee
Z makes his way home, through a menagerie of alphabetic attractions. Z Goes Home persuades the readers to find the letter in the landscape while Z travels through the book. The bright, fun illustrations of Jon Agee make the book a great read.
The Turn-Around, Upside-Down Alphabet Book by Lisa Cambell Ernest
The Turn-Around, Upside-Down Alphabet Book is extremely clever. Turn the book upside-down and around, as the title suggests, the alphabet turns into new and exciting objects. Readers can come up with some ideas of their own encouraging amusing conversation of what letters look like. A cool and inventive way to get to know the letters of the alphabet and remember them!
The OK Book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld
The OK Book is a sweet and enjoyable read. Simple illustrations create an endearing and entertaining story. The OK Book is a wonderful story of what we’re good at, or OK at and it shows that it’s OK to be OK.
Old MacDonald Had a Woodshop by Lisa Shulman
Old MacDonald Had a Woodshop is a new take on an old classic. Old MacDonald and her friends build a surprise in her woodshop, having fun with the noises the tools make. Children will love singing along with this one, while learning the exciting sounds letters can make when put together in unusual ways.
A Gardener’s Alphabet by Mary Azarian
A Gardener’s Alphabet is a beautifully illustrated book of gardening delights. Each page features a delightful illustration of a gardening scene demonstrating a letter of the alphabet. Big, bold words will assist children in learning letters.
Alphabet City by Stephen T. Johnson
Can you find the letter in the city picture? Alphabet City is a great photographic collection of city scenes which assists children in learning the shapes of letters. The book encourages children to point the letter out in the picture to further encourage letter knowledge. A fun, creative way to see the alphabet, adults and children will enjoy Alphabet City.
The Bouncing, Dancing, Galloping ABC by Charlotte Doyle
The Bouncing, Dancing, Galloping ABC is about busy kids being busy, each activity beginning with a different letter of the alphabet. The rhyming flow of words make the story fun to read and fun to listen to. Active kids will enjoy the hustle and bustle of the book while gaining knowledge of their letters.
Playground Day by Jennifer J. Merz
Playground Day is an imaginative story of a game of pretend. Children guess what animal is on the next page based on what children are doing on the previous page. An entertaining story of how children can act like little animals, especially on the playground.
Where’s My Mom by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
Little monkey can’t find his mom and butterfly offers to help. Little monkey describes his mom and butterfly leads him to a different animal mom, until they find monkey’s mom together. Children will have fun reading along as butterfly gets it wrong again and again. The rhyming language makes this story all the more entertaining.
Dog’s Noisy Day: A story to read aloud by Emma Dodd
In one day Dog encounters many different animal friends who want to say hello, which makes for a very noisy day. Children will enjoy reading along learning the different sounds animals (and letters) make. Dog’s Noisy Day is an entertaining story children will want to read again and again.
Yes by Jez Alborough
Baby monkey Bobo learns to use the words ‘yes’ and ‘no’. Children will enjoy watching Bobo and friends express themselves with two little words, while learning letters. Caregivers will smile at the familiar exchange between Bobo and his mom as he uses the power of his words. Yes is a great, quick read everyone will enjoy.
Q is for Duck by Mary Elting and Michael Folsom
“Q is for duck. Why? Because ducks Quack”. The alphabet is turned into a guessing game in Q is for Duck. Children can guess why B is for dog or T is for elephant in this creative book. Learning the alphabet will be a fun challenge when reading Q is for Duck.
Alphabet Explosion: Search and count from alien to zebra by John Nickle
Alphabet Explosion is an alphabet game in a book. Instructions at the beginning of the book explain how to look for pictures beginning with a specific letter with a key at the back of the book. Alphabet Explosion is a creative approach to help children learn the sound and symbols of the alphabet. Counting is also incorporated into this clever book. Children and caregivers will be challenged to find all the objects on a page.
The Graphic Alphabet by David Pelletier
Each letter of the alphabet is a unique form of graphic art in this wonderful book. The Graphic Alphabet is a Caldecott Honor book. Children and caregivers will appreciate the aesthetically beautiful description of each letter of the alphabet. Unique and creative, all readers will enjoy this visually engaging book.
Matthew A.B.C. by Peter Catalanotto
Mrs. Tuttle is a teacher with a classroom full of Matthews. How does she tell them apart? Mrs. Tuttle’s description of each Matthew is the fun part and how the reader learns the alphabet. Children will enjoy seeing the personality of each Matthew come through. Matthew A.B.C. is a cute and entertaining book.
Old Black Fly by Jim Aylesworth
Old black fly goes buzzing around the house wreaking havoc as he goes. The story moves with black fly as he travels through the house landing on items beginning with letters of the alphabet, A to Z. The illustrations by Stephen Gammell are colorful and beautiful giving the story movement as well. The language of the story moves like a song, children will enjoy hearing Old Black Fly read outloud.
Why I'm Blogging
Why am I blogging about children’s books?
One part class assignment, one part curiosity and one part satiating a need to read more children’s books. I am fortunate enough to be fulfilling an independent study about children’s literature and literacy. I decided to create a blog to share my opinions of the children’s books I am reading. All of my choices for children’s books will be centered on promoting early literacy.
A few comments on promoting early literacy…
First let me say that the best way to promote early literacy is also the simplest, read to children. Let them see for themselves the pleasure and enjoyment reading brings. By reading to children and letting children see adults read for enjoyment you model for them the cornerstone of literacy skills that will last a lifetime.
Secondly, preliteracy skills such as letter knowledge, print motivation, print awareness, vocabulary, narrative skills, and phonological awareness all assist in early literacy (Sullivan, 2005). Reading to children promotes these prelitercy skills. Although some children’s books encourage certain preliteracy skills more than others, all books encourage these skills to some extent or another. Sharing the love of reading is the most influential way to build these skills. So while my blog will give children’s book suggestions, it is not the book itself that encourages early literacy, but the enjoyment of books. Hopefully in reading my short book descriptions you will find some stories you and your child will enjoy.
Sullivan, Michael. (2005). Fundamentals of Children’s Services. American Library Association, Chicago.
Who Am I?
I am a Library of Science graduate student in Minnesota. Besides that, I work in a library albeit on the technical side of things, and I am a mother of three children. Reading to my children is what ignited (or reignited) my love for picture books and children’s literature. I am discovering as my children grow older I am dreading the day when they would no longer allow me to read to them. Being a librarian-in-training offers me a socially acceptable excuse to continue my fascination and love with children’s books. Becoming a children’s librarian will solidify that excuse and offer me the opportunity to share my passion of literature with others.
One part class assignment, one part curiosity and one part satiating a need to read more children’s books. I am fortunate enough to be fulfilling an independent study about children’s literature and literacy. I decided to create a blog to share my opinions of the children’s books I am reading. All of my choices for children’s books will be centered on promoting early literacy.
A few comments on promoting early literacy…
First let me say that the best way to promote early literacy is also the simplest, read to children. Let them see for themselves the pleasure and enjoyment reading brings. By reading to children and letting children see adults read for enjoyment you model for them the cornerstone of literacy skills that will last a lifetime.
Secondly, preliteracy skills such as letter knowledge, print motivation, print awareness, vocabulary, narrative skills, and phonological awareness all assist in early literacy (Sullivan, 2005). Reading to children promotes these prelitercy skills. Although some children’s books encourage certain preliteracy skills more than others, all books encourage these skills to some extent or another. Sharing the love of reading is the most influential way to build these skills. So while my blog will give children’s book suggestions, it is not the book itself that encourages early literacy, but the enjoyment of books. Hopefully in reading my short book descriptions you will find some stories you and your child will enjoy.
Sullivan, Michael. (2005). Fundamentals of Children’s Services. American Library Association, Chicago.
Who Am I?
I am a Library of Science graduate student in Minnesota. Besides that, I work in a library albeit on the technical side of things, and I am a mother of three children. Reading to my children is what ignited (or reignited) my love for picture books and children’s literature. I am discovering as my children grow older I am dreading the day when they would no longer allow me to read to them. Being a librarian-in-training offers me a socially acceptable excuse to continue my fascination and love with children’s books. Becoming a children’s librarian will solidify that excuse and offer me the opportunity to share my passion of literature with others.
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