Girl Power!

There are a lot of princess books on the market right now. Not knocking some of these princess books, but not all girls are into pink frills and fanciness, yet are still girly-girls. (I'm one of these girls myself, if grown up, so I identify).The "Do Princesses...?" book series by Carmela LaVigna Coyle and illustrated by Mike and Carl Gordon is perfect for those girls who love princesses but also enjoy getting dirty and having adventures!

Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots?
by Carmela LaVigna Coyle

Do Princesses Scrape Their Knees?
by Carmela LaVigna Coyle

Do Princesses Really Kiss Frogs?
by Carmela LaVigna Coyle

Reading series books with characters that are familiar and that your child identifies with is a great way to promote the pre-reading skill of print motivation and encouraging the love of reading.

ALA | 2011 Best of the Best

Check out YALSA's 2011 Best Picks for Young Adult Readers - ALA | 2011 Best of the Best

Great picks for audiobooks, graphic novels, paperbacks and even selections for reluctant readers.

You can also check information on upcoming events: Teen Read Week and Teen Tech Week!

Getting Active!

Unless you live under a rock, you have probably come across at least one news story in recent years about the rising problem of obesity in the United States, in both adults and children. Book reading is often a sedentary activity, so it doesn't spring to mind as the sort of thing that might encourage physical activity, but it definitely can!

Books about every day adventures like trips to the playground, such as Ladybug Girl by David Soman and Jacky Davis, can be inspirations for your child's own activities. Books about their bodies and body parts can also be a spring board for activity, even if it's just singing a song together with actions together after reading, such as The Hokey Pokey or Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.

Physical activity is an important part of your child's health and motor development, both fine and gross motor.

Here are some great books, read and vetted by yours truly, about kids and their bodies:

• Eyes, Nose, Fingers and Toes by Judy Hindley
• Parts by Tedd Arnold
• The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss
• All of Baby, Nose to Toes by Victoria Adler

Here is a link to a great article about keeping pre-schooler's physically active, a great resource for educators, home educators and parents from the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Reach Out and Read Colorado Literacy Event

The non-profit organization Reach Out and Read is partnering with area libraries to host a literacy event. Check out the Denver Public Library Website for more details.

Join us for . . .  Read and Romp Denver


Saturday, February 26, 2011
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
PPA Event Center, 2105 Decatur Street, Denver
Admission $10, children under 2 are free. Includes lunch.

Check out the literacy line-up! Spend some time with Frog and Toad and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Eat the Alphabet and play I Spy! You and your kids will be enriched by this massive exposure to literacy.

Reading to an infant, a toddler, a pre-schooler, or a young child affords a multitude of benefits to children, parents, families and communities alike. Over time, you'll see the time spent reading with children taking positive effect. Shared reading promotes:

• Early brain development
• Emotional bonding and the parent-child relationship
• Language development
• Regular bedtime routines
• Early literacy skills

Introduction to the 6 Pre-Reading Skills

The focus of pre-reading skills is not on teaching children to read at an early or young age. If your child does learn to read before they get to school, then great! The point of pre-reading skills for parents, caregivers, librarians and early childhood educators is to lay a strong foundation of literacy skills necessary for learning to read successfully once a child reaches school. The 6 Skills we build through singing songs, talking a lot (even before our kids can talk back!) and of course - sharing books together!

These are the 6 skills, with a short description, check back in coming weeks for more books and activities to help foster these skills with the kiddos in your life!

Print Motivation - I like books!

Print Awareness - Those squiggles on the page mean something.

Phonological Awareness - I know the sounds of language.

Narrative Skills - Telling stories is fun!

Letter Knowledge - Now I know my ABCs!

Vocabulary - I know a lot of great words.