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I selected The Scarecrow’s Dance by Jane Yolen and Crow Call by Lois Lowry.

They liked the rhyming in The Scarecrow’s Dance.  Also, the illustrations are lovely. The youngsters liked those, too. Since I write children’s stories and poetry, I’m always inspired  when I find a really good book that appeals to the kids I’m teaching.

The following day, I read Crow Call.  They enjoyed it, especially after they found it related the author’s experience when she was a young girl. That era, just after World War II, brought back memories for me. This book also has lovely illustrations. I think they enchanted the youngsters almost as much as the story.

What are some of the books you’re reading to your youngsters?  Do share with us.

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Picture Books That Children Enjoy

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The right amount of space. Not too spacey, not too cramped… create a space that allows you to be cozy and comfortable while reading. Consider the different furniture and accessories you’ll be needing as well so your space does not look too cluttered.

Cozy seating. An overstuffed chair, bean bags, a fluffy couch, a seat with an ottoman… what kind of seat makes you not want to get up from it? If you plan to read to your children, ensure that there’s enough space for the two of you in one seat too.

Good lighting. Correctly position your lamps so your reading material is well-lit, and that the light does not get into your eyes.

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Side table. To hold your eyeglasses, a cup of hot chocolate, a bowl of popcorn, pen and paper, more books, your reading light, this table will hold your reading companions.

Bookshelves. Have some bookshelves in your reading corner instead of in another room. Easy access to many books will encourage more reading.

A Book Bag or a Book Basket. If you read several books at a time, put the set of books you’re currently reading in a basket. This way, you don’t have to go back and forth to the bookshelf when you’re in the mood for that other book you’re reading. And if you have multiple reading corners at home, you can just carry your book basket to the other corner and not balance a bunch of books in your arms.

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Quiet time. Getting lost in a good book is wonderful… except when you suddenly hear your neighbor screaming or your teenager’s stereo blasting again. Choose an area that allows for long moments of quiet reading.

Decorate with items inspired from readings. Don’t hesitate to place that Sorting Hat you got from the mall by your couch — it shows how much you enjoyed the Harry Potter series.

Happy reading!

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Creating a Reading Corner

She’s spent entirely too much time on the computer this Summer and not enough outside running around. I try to get her out there, but she’s back soon with “It’s too hot, there’s no one around, the kids are boring…

I took her to the pool, but she and her pal argued so much there yesterday that I brought them home early. She was angry about something that was going on – her friend kept pouring water over her head with a toy that you use to speak underwater – and instead of just swimming away or finding something else to do, she got pissed.

I understand that sometimes kids are jerk-like, mine included, but children are not born knowing what to do. They have to learn how communicate with people, how to pick their battles, and most importantly, how to compromise. Adults sometimes forget these lessons, I’ve noticed. They grow older and a bit on the my way or the highway-ish. We are never too old to learn how to be a better friend.

Summer vacation is more than half over for my kids – we go back on the 12th of August (insane) – so I’m going to use my time wisely. I’m going to read the book, The Care and Keeping of Friends, by Nadine Bernard Westcott, with Sarah.

Bailey and I read it together when she was about Sarah’s age and struggling with peer relationships. I can remember The Care and Keeping of Friends being the second most helpful kid’s book Bay and I read together. It ranked after Everybody Poops and just ahead of The Period Book.

I’m looking at this as a Summer project that we have Sarah better prepared for school in the Fall.  Okay, it will still be officially Summer her for us, but I’m looking at this as back to school-work.  We’ll practice for the rest of the Summer and by the first day of school, she’ll be golden.

Image credit: Barnes and Noble.com

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My Back-To-School Friend Plan

Summer reading programs at local libraries offer youngsters fun and reading encouragement.  Our library, the Pease Public Library in Plymouth, NH, has excited young readers for many years.  I’m always impressed by what is planned for youngsters and the community.  Also, the children receive prizes, donated by local businesses,  for the number of books they read during the summer.

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Even, though my grandchildren are too old (high school and college age when the programs are geared for pre-school through grade 8), we do attend some of the family programs…movies, entertainers and projects.

I’ve taken Kara and Alex to these summer reading programs since they were in pre-school.  Then when I was no longer needed to help, I enjoyed the evening reading and using my laptop while I waited.

Visit your library and those in neighboring towns. We still check out many books and movies throughout the summer and enjoy them at home.

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What Does Your Library Offer?

Perhaps I should have added Nancy Drew as a bonus mystery.  This was one of my favorites as a teen, too.  It’s good to see Nancy is remembered and even a favorite.

My daughter enjoyed Nancy Drew and collected the books for a time.  I don’t have any of my original books (have no idea where they went), but I’ve acquired one older copy among my children’s book collection.

Nancy was revived and modernized several years ago, when they made a TV series of her adventures.  She and her friends encountered more modern day situations and mysteries.  However, she was still the same curious, independent, adventuresome sleuth that fascinated me as a teen.

Do you have Nancy Drew memories?  Do your children enjoy these mysteries, or like my granddaughter, prefer the fantasies of today?

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Memories of Nancy Drew

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My reader, when her children were younger, read books with her children and discussed them.  She tried to be aware of what they were reading.

Also, she didn’t restrict their reading, but tried to get them to understand and learn to make decisions.  I found the following comment very thought provoking:

Even if a book’s theme conflicts with your religious views, why would you think you can just pretend that other views do not exist? If you can’t defend your views in the face of a childrens’ book, how well will you defend them in the face of real life?

What do you think about discussing, with your youngsters, books you disagree with?   Does this help teach youngsters life’s lessons and how to make beneficial decisions?

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More About Reading with Your Children

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 ”These weren’t ‘bad’ books,” Beth continued, “only books Lizzie’s mom thought didn’t go along with their religion.”

We had always read to and with Beth when she was younger and encouraged her love of books.

 I didn’t restrict the books Beth read.  Instead, when she was in high school, she shared with me, and we discussed why or why I didn’t think they were appropriate.  I thought I needed to teach her how to make judgments about her reading, movie and television (now Internet) watching before she was on her own.  If I said, “No,” to specific books, they might have more appeal.  Also, she’d read them anyway, as Lizzie did.

 Do you check on the books your children are reading and limit some of them?  Or do you feel, that as they grow older, they will read these books anyway.  So you need to teach them how to make good decisions?

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Do You Limit Your Child’s Reading?

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Maybe. But this discussion around what we have been discussing (work!) and the absence of much in the way of outside interests, prompted us to start our own little two person book club. It’s very exclusive.

The only problem is that I will literally devour a book. Whereas Paul likes to take his time and approach each chapter in small doses. Nothing wrong with that…except when I’m long done with the book and continuously asking…

“What part are you at now?”

But even though we don’t do a good job keeping pace with each other, it’s still fun to even laugh about that. Sure, we will eventually get around to discussing the book itself, but for right now I’ll wait for him to finish the last ten chapters and simply smile because I we both learned a little something new about each other.

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Couples That Stay Together, Read Together

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I thought I’d pass this information along in case parents, grandparents and others would find this list of interest for reference.  Some books deal with death of a family member or friend; others are about the death of a pet.

• Remembering Mrs. Rossi by Amy Hest
• Love You, Soldier by Amy Hest
• Because of Winn Dixie
• Each Little Bird That Sings
• Sarah Plain and Tall
• The Higher Power of  Lucky
• Carolina Harmony
• Julia’s Kitchen
• The Tenth Good Thing About Barney
• Blackberries in the Dark by Mavis Jukes, about a boy visiting his grandmother after the death of his grandfather
• Sun & Spoon by Kevin Henkes
• Saying Goodbye to Grandma by Jane Resh Thomas
• Some of Us Survived: The Story of an Armenian Boy by
  Kerop Bedoukian,  an eyewitness account of the Armenian Genocide
  written from the author’s point of view when he was 8 years old.
• The Road from Home by David Kherdian  is the true story how Kherdian’s mother and  family were annihilated and driven from their historic homeland during the Genocide.

Do you have any to suggest that you think are particularly good at helping youngsters…and adults?

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Books for Youngsters About Death

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Then each child can select a book or books to take home, the number depending on how many are received in each age group.   This is one way to recycle books and provide great reading for youngsters and teachers.

What other activities are you involved in for Earth Day…as parents,  a family, home schooling parents, or at your school?

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Book Exchange for Earth Day