Monster Mash

This week in my story times at work we are doing a Monsters theme for Halloween. Monsters are notoriously scary to younger kids (and even some older ones, for that matter), yet there are a lot of really great children's books featuring monsters! I made a real effort to choose monster books that encourage and empower kids, through teaching empathy and other tactics for de-scarifying (yes, that's a word now apparently) the things that go bump in the night.

My Favorite Monster Books

• Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems
• There's a Nightmare in My Closet by Mercer Mayer
• Monster Hug by David Ezra Stein
• Go Away Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley
• Bedtime for Monsters by Ed Vere
• The Monster's Monster by Patrick McDonnell
• The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone
• The Monster Who Lost His Mean by Tiffany Strelitz Haber

Make Your Own Monster

Sometimes just the act of creating the thing that can be scary is empowering in itself - but making a monster and then tearing it to bits can also be good for some kids - you can try either with this craft! In any case the coloring and peeling off the stickers encourage the development of manual fine motor skills necessary for writing down the road.

Materials: Multiple colors of construction paper, crayons, shape stickers, googly eyes

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.

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.