The teacher in me is so overjoyed by my daughter's love of reading. Since she could communicate, books have been her number one request. Nothing is more adorable than a wee babe signing "more" and pointing to her bookshelf. Swoon.
My first blog post was all about how I choose good books from the library or bookstore. Illustrations are the first thing I notice and the ones in Lane Smith's, A Perfect Day, immediately caught my eye. Smith is an award-winning author and illustrator, and served as both in this wonderful book. His use of mixed media to beautifully portray the simple pleasures of four—er, five—creatures, provides the perfect visual accompaniment to this precarious tale. The text is simple and repetitive, making it a captivating choice for a read aloud, and the storyline features a comedic twist that will delight your little ones. My daughter is still requesting this book, even long after we'd returned it to the library. If you're looking for something fresh to read, Rowyn and I both recommend this gem!
0 Comments
Before I settled into my role of mother, I was an elementary school teacher here in the city. My teaching experience was primarily in the early years and, although I am not utilizing my degree in the classroom, I am finding my skills transferable to motherhood. Choosing quality books was always something I loved doing for my students and it's something I'm enjoying doing with my daughter. Every week we check out new books after our Mainly Mother Goose program at our local library branch. Rowyn loves picking out books to take home and it has introduced us to some new faves we can add to our collection.
There is no shortage of picture books to read but not all books are created equal. I studied children's literature in university and learned a lot about what to look for in a quality book. If I had to narrow it down, these would be my top three criteria to look for when selecting books for little ones:
|