Book Series for Kindergarten & Primary Grade Students

Posted on July 5, 2017 by Rita K.

mercy-watson    On Monday, I took one of my granddaughters for a birthday shopping spree. The deal was that half of the allotted money would be spent on books and the other half on toys. Shannon, my granddaughter is entering first grade in the Fall. She already loves to read and finished the first five books in the Mercy Watson series. Once in Barnes and Noble, we headed right back to the book series section. Luckily, the sixth book of the series was in stock, but I also pulled the first book of about ten series and we headed over to a little table to look them over and decide which ones would make the cut.

After looking at the cover and reading the back summary to Shannon, she quickly decided on ones that appealed to her. Already, this child has a sense of her own reading interests. By choosing the first in several series, Shannon will get a taste of each of them and follow up with the book series she enjoys the most.

There are so many delightful series for this age group. Even if your child is not yet reading, sharing these books together by reading them aloud, will provide all the benefits of book series discussed in the previous post and expose him or her to the delights of following the same character through many adventures. Set aside a block of time, take your child to a library or book store, let him/her sort through numerous books and take home the ones that hold strong appeal. You will build anticipation and warm memories as you share the fun of choosing a just-right book. Here are some ideas to get you started…

The Mercy Watson Series by Kate DiCamillo

Truthfully, I had never heard of this series by the renowned author Kate DiCamillo, until I saw it sitting on the table at my daughter’s home. Of course, I then heard about how Shannon loved it! Mercy Watson, is the endearing main character and each chapter book recounts one of her delightful adventures. They even have a fan club. Check out the Mercy Watson site at http://www.mercywatson.com/

Ballpark Mysteries by David A. Kelly

David Kelly has penned an engaging series, especially appealing to baseball enthusiasts. Each mystery is set in a different ball park. Readers can visit the ball park and solve a mystery at the same time. A winning combination!

Nancy Clancy, Supersleuth by Jane O’Connor

If the little ladies in your life love “Fancy Nancy”, they will be thrilled with this series. In this series, Fancy Nancy has matured a bit, but still is as glamourous as ever.  Equipped with a fancy magnifying glass and pink trench coat, Nancy readily solves the mysteries that come up in these easy-to-read chapter books.

Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows

These two girls are opposites, but when they join together the fun never ends. Young girls will enjoy their wacky adventures and learn about friendship and acceptance at the same time.

The Hardy Boys Secret Files by Franklin Dixon

Frank and Joe are still around!  Boys who like adventure, mystery, sports and fun (and who doesn’t) will enjoy meeting these classic heroes in this series of chapter books for young readers.

Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey

If your youngster has not already discovered this series, the popularity of the movie may be just the opening you need to introduce him to this unique superhero and jumpstart a reading journey.

Of course, this list could go on and on.  Don’t forget about the tried and true Junie B. Jones, Cam Jansen and Amelia Bedelia books, among the array of wonderful books series available. Please post your child’s favorites and add to this starting list of book series. Happy Reading!

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Lure into Literature with Book Series

Posted on July 3, 2017 by Rita K.

ND PCB box mech.indd        In third grade, I met a new friend–a friend who would change my life! Her name was Nancy Drew. From the  time I opened the first book in this series, I was swept up into Nancy’s world of adventure, mystery and even romance. Book after book, I happily journeyed with Nancy, her two best girlfriends, Bess Marvin and George Fayne, along with Ned Nickerson, Nancy’s tall, handsome, boyfriend. This classic book series gave me my first taste of “losing myself in a book”. This series led me to explore many other popular book series of the day.

cherry ames           sue barton  When I met  Cherry Ames and Judy Barton, I learned about the world of medicine and often imagined myself wearing the crisp, white uniform of a nurse.

betsy-tacy     The Betsy-Tacy books by Maud Lovelace Hart, took me to small town America at the turn of the century and helped me understand the value of close friends. The Ingalls family inspired me with their courage, independence and ingenuity as I traveled West right along with them in the series of Little House on the Prairie books by Laura Ingalls Wilder.These were just a few of the book series that cast a spell and worked their magic, ultimately transforming me into a lifelong reader. My experience is not unique. Countless times in my teaching career, I saw reluctant readers transformed into avid readers once they discovered a series of books they enjoyed. At first, it does seem like magic, but when we peek behind the curtain, we can readily see the common factors which create that magical result…

 The Familiarity Factor

By the second book in a series, the reader is familiar with the main characters, the setting and the author’s style of writing. Even if the books are not part of a sequential series of books, readers already understand how the books are structured and have a sense of what to expect.

This familiarity factor provides confidence, frees up a reader’s working memory and enables them to more easily read and comprehend the text. It’s like visiting someone’s home for the second or third time. You feel grounded, you’re more at ease, you know where things are and what to expect, so you can relax and enjoy the visit more each time.

Reading Volume

Once hooked on a series, kids tend to readily pick up the next book, eliminating wasted time deciding on what to read next and providing the motivation to keep going. This equates to an increase in reading volume, which is a very big deal for youngsters who have trouble getting into a book. Research repeatedly proves the power of reading volume. The more kids read, the better their chances of academic success.

Confidence

Reluctant readers of any age, need a boost of confidence. For the reluctant reader, the ability to read, enjoy, comprehend and complete several books in a timely manner, can be just the boost they need to spur them on.  Encouraging kids to delve into a new series of books may provide the key that opens the door to reading and enables them to see themselves as “readers”.

Entrance into the Community of Readers

Typically, certain book series become popular among members of a class. When a youngster reads books in the series, he gains entrance into this community of readers. In addition to being a solitary experience, reading becomes a social experience. The characters and plot provide fodder for discussion, book swaps and even role play as kids join together to extend the reading experience. Enjoying a book series with family, friends or classmates can lure the most reluctant reader into a life of literacy.

Memorable Experience

Reading several or all books in a series creates a memorable experience. Over time, the reader becomes deeply engaged with the characters and genuinely interested in their lives. Several years ago, I happened upon a Betsy-Tacy book. Immediately, I was transported back to my childhood. I felt like I had run into an old friend and hurriedly purchased the book so I could become reconnected with my pals. I’m sure many of you understand exactly what I mean. I’m sure many of you would lke to recreate those pleasureable reading experiences for your own kids. What are you waiting for? Check out some book series suggestions that I’ll share on Wednesday and Friday, check back in your own mind for those special books you can now share with your kids, and check in here to share your own treasured series with others.

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A Look Ahead…

Posted on July 1, 2017 by Rita K.

turtle and books  I’m guessing that most of you can remember at least one favorite series of books that stole your heart. The right book series can spark the most reluctant reader. Monday’s post will explore the popularity and positive impact of book series. Wednesday’s post will suggest several book series appropriate for early readers and Friday we’ll explore series that may be just the ticket for fourth to eighth graders. Love to hear about your favorite book series and how they impacted your reading life.

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Recommended Read Alouds

Posted on June 30, 2017 by Rita K.

It’s time to gather up lots of books that will pique your children’s interest and roll out regular read aloud with your kids and grandkids. Here are some sure-fire winners to get you started…

For Younger Children

pigeon_bus_cover_lg  Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, and the Elephant and Piggie early readers both authored by Mo Willems will not disappoint. These award winning books will introduce you and your kids to this talented author and might just make you laugh out loud. If these are a hit, you can find scores of other awesome books by this author.

Froggy Learns  To Swim by Jonathan London is a perfect summer read for those little ones  who are feeling a bit tentative about learning this new skill.

froggie

Seasonal Thunderstorms remind me of a favorite by Patricia Polocco entitled Thundercake. In this story, a grandmother eases her grandaughter’s fear of thunder by teaching her how to make thundercake. Rich language, lovely illustrations and even the actual recipe for thundercake create a tale you and your child will cherish.

thundercake

Strega Nona by Tomie DePaolo is a humorous tale that depicts what can happen when you don’t do what your told. If your child loves Stega Nona, you’ll want to search out other Tomie DePaolo books that include the delightful character of Stega Nona.

strega nona

 

 

 

 

For Older Children

A Days Work and The Train to Somewhere, both picture books by acclaimed author Eve Bunting, are  poignant tales that create awareness and empathy for the characters.

In A Days Work, a young boy lies  so he and his grandfather can secure work. The surprising results of that lie teach a powerful lesson.

Few youngsters know about the orphan trains that existed long ago. In Train to Somewhere, Eve Bunting  crafts a story that not only builds awareness but resonates with emotion that touches the heart of the reader.

Train to Somewhere

A Family Read Aloud

Ivan             The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

Most youngsters from Kindergarten through middle school, will be able to enjoy this sensitive story told from Ivan’s (a gorilla) point of view. Ivan is confined to his small domain in a mall, along with a few other animals, who attract visitors and earn money for their keeper. The plight of these confined animals, weaves an unusual tale that will generate discussion and keep listeners eager for more.

Enjoy these great books and please add your favorite read alouds to this list.

 

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Read Aloud Tips

Posted on June 28, 2017 by Rita K.

o-PARENT-CHILD-READING-facebook

A few years ago, one of our sons called and asked, “Mom, what was that book you used to read to me…the one about the King and his little girl?” Immediately, I knew book he was talking about. It was called, The King Who Was Too Busy…a delightful cautionary tale about the importance of spending time with your children. Because this was one of his favorites, I had tucked it away in a safe place and was quickly able to put my hands on the tattered copy we had savored together so often. You can imagine how touched I was that our son, now a father with daughters of his own, remembered and hoped to replicate this reading experience.

If you’re not doing it already, today is the perfect day to start and sustain reading aloud to your child (or children) no matter what the age. Follow these suggestions and your read-aloud time will feed everyone’s mind and spirit, create warm memories, stretch your youngster’s imagination, and set the stage for a lifetime of reading enjoyment.

Here are some tips to help you create reading experiences that will last a lifetime…

BEFORE READING

  • Provide choice.  If possible, offer a few different texts and let your child select the one he wants to hear.
  • Choose age-appropriate texts. Young children can only sustain interest for a short time, so start with short texts that include colorful illustrations to keep the child’s attention.
  • Become familiar with the text before reading it aloud. Read through short texts and identify tricky words, appropriate stopping points for discussion and parts that lend themselves to a change in volume, expression or speed.
  • Preview the book with your child before reading aloud. Discuss the title and author, make predictions, build background knowledge if necessary. A few seconds at the start creates  interest and enhances comprehension.
  • Explain any confusing concepts or tricky vocabulary the child needs to know to avoid confusion.
  • Create an atmosphere that signals a special time. Turn off the TV and electronic devices, settle in on a comfortable chair, couch, bed or blanket, consider using a book light so that you can dim the other lights in the room. Attention to detail will send a positive message to your listeners  and heighten anticipation.
  • Attention Fathers:  Since most teachers are women, kids hear lots of read-alouds from females in the classroom setting. Dispel the notion that reading is only for girls, by becoming a regular reader in your child’s life.
  • Most importantly, relax and enjoy this experience with your child!

DURING READING

  • Consider what is happening in the story and vary your tone, volume and pace accordingly. Reading slowly and with expression will engage your child and add to his enjoyment and understanding.
  • If you are able to pull it off, use different voices for the characters. Younger children usually get a big kick out of this.
  • Involve the child when possible. Let little ones turn the pages, fill in a word, or read repetitive text.
  • Don’t rush!  Slowing down enables the child to create pictures in his mind and think about what’s happening.
  • Stop and Think. Stop and Talk. At appropriate points, stop and give the child a few seconds to think about what’s happening or how the story makes him feel.  Encourage questioning, inferencing, predicting, but don’t overdo and make this an academic activity. The goal is simply to encourage thinking and keep your child actively engaged with the text.
  • If you are reading a long text, stop at a cliffhanger so listeners are eager for more.
  • Offer a variety of genres. Poetry, magazine articles, and non-fiction books are great choices.
  • Repetitive readings are fine. If your child falls in love with a special book and enjoys listening to it over and over, go for it. Just remember to offer other choices as well.

AFTER READING

  • Sit and savor. Take a minute to simply sit together quietly, savoring the experience.
  • Clarify any confusions   your child may have and again, encourage discussion and wonderings.
  • Responding to text through drawing, writing or acting it out extends the experience. If your child shows an interest in extension activities (this doesn’t have to occur right after the read aloud) encourage him to respond in any way he chooses.
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Reasons to Read Aloud

Posted on June 26, 2017 by Rita K.

Most of the time, I eat well but when I find myself getting off-track, I seek out books and articles about nutrition. Typically, this little strategy infuses me with enough motivation and nuggets of new knowledge to help me resume good eating habits.

We all know the benefits of eating a healthy diet. Similarly, most people know the benefits of reading aloud to kids. However, just like nutrition, we need to be reminded of those benefits so we have an incentive to start or resume this essential practice. Hopefully, these reminders will do just that.

In 1985, the report, Becoming a Nation of Readers, stated “The single most important activity for building knowledge for their eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children.” Subsequent research only reinforced this fact and revealed tons of positive effects associated with reading aloud to children of all ages. Consider these positive effects:

  • Reading aloud builds vocabulary. Literature for youngsters usually includes rich vocabulary and if you add explanation and discussion about words encountered in text, the read-aloud becomes even more powerful.
  • Since a child’s listening level is higher than their independent reading level, reading aloud allows kids to experience texts that they would be unable to enjoy on their own.
  • Reading aloud provides a model of fluent reading. Kids learn how good reading sounds, developing awareness of pacing, phrasing, attention to punctuation and proper pronunciation.
  • Reading aloud builds background knowledge. Any teacher will tell you the important role that strong background knowledge plays in the reading experience.
  • Reading aloud provides opportunity for questioning, discussion, and explanations – important parts of active reading.
  • Reading aloud enhances familiarity with book language and story structure. Knowing how a story is built and how it “sounds” builds confidence as youngsters progress to higher levels of independent reading.
  • Reading aloud provides opportunities to model reading strategies, such as Previewing, Predicting, Chunking text and Synthesizing information.
  • Reading aloud Creates a positive attitude towards reading.
  • Reading aloud Sets kids up for success in school.
  • Reading aloud enhances communication skills.
  • Reading aloud fosters critical thinking skills.
  • Reading aloud creates a bond with the reader.

As though that’s not enough, reading aloud to young children (even newborns) helps kids learn skills needed to learn to read, such as…

  • Story structure (concept of a beginning, a middle and an end)
  • Directionality (pointing as you read enables kids to see that we read from left to right)
  • Ability to differentiate between letters and words
  • Recognition of punctuation
  • Basic sounds

Author Jim Trelease became famous many years ago for his book, The Read-Aloud Handbook. Delve into this text and some of Jim’s others books to learn even more about reading aloud. Read Aloud Handbook

The relaxing days of summer lend themselves to initiating this practice with your kids. Just like a balanced diet, reading aloud is an important component of a balanced reading life. Please voice your questions and ideas about reading aloud and I’ll be back on Wednesday with some specific tips.

Posted in Reading aloud, Uncategorized, Young Children | 2 Comments

A Look Ahead

Posted on June 24, 2017 by Rita K.

Dad and kids

Summer’s arrival is the perfect season  to add more “read alouds” to your time with kids. Three important aspects of reading aloud will be discussed in this week’s posts…

  • Monday – Learn about why reading aloud is so important for kids of any age.
  • Wednesday – Enjoy tips to enhance your read alouds.
  • Friday – Discover several perfect read-aloud books to get you started.

Hope you enjoy and please share your own book ideas, tips, and experiences about reading aloud.

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Just Joking

Posted on June 23, 2017 by Rita K.

chooseadearbook    In April, “Pop-Pop” and I decided to give Patrick (our grandson) a shopping spree for his seventh birthday. We set an amount and told Patrick we would take him to Toys R Us and Barnes and Noble. He could spend half the money at the toy store and other half at the book store. Needless to say, it was an enjoyable adventure, offering not just a gift to Patrick, but the gift of time with Patrick to us.

  • First stop was Barnes and Noble.  Patrick had begun reading The Magic Treehouse series of books, so we checked them out first. As we traipsed around the other section, Patrick spied some joke books. We sat on the floor and read through a few together. Patrick chose one of the colorful creations published by National Geographic. Little did I realize what a popular and powerful gift that would become.Next time I saw Patrick, the first thing he did was say, “Want to hear a joke, Mimi?” He proceeded to tell me several that he had memorized from the book, then ran upstairs to retrieve the book so he could share more of them with me. As he read, and as I explained some of the ones that were tricky to understand, I realized how many literacy skills (and life skills) he was practicing by reading and reciting these jokes. Here are a few of the powerful skills kids can learn by reading joke books:
  • Fluency: Pacing, Phrasing, expression and attention to punctuation all come into play when kids read these humorous tidbits aloud. Repetitive reading has long been touted as valuable way to build fluency and you will see, kids love to read their favorite jokes to anyone who will listen.
  • Vocabulary Development: Think about it…many jokes and riddle (especially those for youngsters) depend on the use of homophones, multi-meaning words, puns and idioms. Joke books offer a natural opportunity to teach the meaning of different words and explain expressions and word play that create the humor. Lots to learn in a fun way!
  • Confidence: You won’t have to beg your child to read a joke book and every time he reads aloud to friends or family, he is building confidence in his oral reading skills.
  • Memorization: Today, students are not asked to memorize as much as in the past. Kids will easily commit these jokes to memory, surprising themselves and others with a stash that will come in handy in many social situations.

Who knew a little joke book could also be a powerhouse of learning?  Grab a few jokes books for your kids and you’ll add humor and reading practice to your summer days. A winning combination!

Here are a few examples from the series Patrick (and now his younger sister, Shannon) love!

joke book                              joke book 3

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Soar into Summer

Posted on June 22, 2017 by Rita K.

sunWelcome to a new season and a new addition to this blog. Several friends and fellow grandparents have requested that I provide some tips and book suggestions for younger kids. The start of summer seems like a good time to honor this request. Summer offers the space to try out some new ideas and explore books that will motivate and support our kids. Together, let’s avoid the “summer slide” and help our kids soar as readers this summer. Hope you find this new content useful. As always, I welcome your comments.

If your child is in pre-school or the primary grades, taking a “picture walk” before reading is a great way to motivate and begin to help them make predications (an important reading skill). The process is simple but powerful:

  1. Choose an appropriate picture book that is new to the child.
  2. Read the title aloud and encourage the child to view the cover and share his reaction.
  3. “Walk” through most of the pages in the book. If the book has a surprise ending, I would try not to spoil it. As you page through the book, focus on the illustrations, encouraging the child to share what he thinks is happening, how a character might be feeling, where the story occurs and what he predicts might happen.

These three simple steps can prepare your child to be more focused and engaged as you (or the child) begin to read.

You can’t go wrong offering these favorites from Eve Bunting and Cynthia Rylant…

Yard Sale  and Pirate Boy by Eve Bunting

 The Day the Relatives Came and The Woman Who Named Things by Cynthia Rylant

 

 

 

Posted in Picture book recommendation, Summer Reading, Young Children | 3 Comments

Books to Give, Books to Share

Posted on May 8, 2017 by Rita K.

Seems to me, Spring is almost as much a season of celebration as the winter holidays.  Recently, I’ve come across a few remarkable books that are great to read with your elementary children, and would also make a thoughtful gifts for the many special occasions that occur this time of year. Check them out…

I Wish You More by Amy Krause Rosenthal    I Wish YOu      is a clever book that will help you express a myriad of wishes to the luckly recipient.

Old Turtle, Questions of the Heart by Douglas Wood Old TurtleOld Turtle’s words of wisdom will inspire people of any age to consider life’s purpose a find a promising path. What a special volume to share with those on the cusp of a new beginning.

 

Samson in the Snow by Philip C. Stead –    Samson in the Snow                       Themes of friendship, persistence and compassion form the basis for this unique and beautifully illustrated picture book. Whether you’re looking for a thoughtful           read-aloud to share with your child or a message of hope to share with a struggling friends, look knew further than this beautifully illustrated new publication.

 

 

 

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