Monday, February 22, 2010

Children's Book of the Week! February 22

Olympics!
by: B.G. Hennessey
With the Winter Olympics going full force this week, share this moment with your child by reading a book or two on the Olympics!

Plot: This softbound picture book is an entertaining and straightforward account for four- to eight-year-olds that I think older children will also enjoy. The colorful artwork by Michael Chesworth ranges from full page scenes of the Olympics to a series of small illustrations depicting individual athletes preparing for the Olympics.

Visit this website for some fun activities that will get you and your child excited about Olympic activity!
http://www.first-school.ws/activities/firststeps/Olympics.htm

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Children's Book of the Week! February 9

If You Give a Pig a Pancake
by: Laura Numeroff


In this week's chosen book, If You Give a Pig a Pancake, we see the story of a young girl and a pig who stumbles upon her making pancakes. It is a great book to use to teach children how to make predictions on the outcome and is also a lot of fun to do activities with! 

Plot: A little girl learns what happens when you give a pig a pancake. One thing leads to another as the pig realizes it wants something different each time. In the end, the story comes back around to the pig wanting a pancake and the little girl is exhausted.

Fun Activities:

  • Make a "pig-friendly" pancake recipe.

  • Visit this website and look over the vocabulary words and activities. http://www.thevirtualvine.com/ifyougivea.html

  • Help your children develop their own "If you give a.." using their own ideas and predictions.

  • Create these cute pig noses for your child to wear while eating their pancakes: 1. Paint a Styrofoam cup pink and poke (or paint black) two small holes in the front. 2. Using yarn or any type of string, poke two small holes on the sides of the cup, and tie around your child's face. Viola', perfectly piggy!

  • Visit the author's website: http://www.lauranumeroff.com/ where you can find more books by Laura as well as more fun for your child.