{ONE} Children need literary books that stimulate the imagination, encourage curiosity, play and wonder. Children need to have a rich experience of what reading can be like to be enthused and excited about reading. They need intense, exciting, funny, scary books. Just as we, as adults have freedom to read for enjoyment, let us not neglect the imaginative and creative importance of our children’s literacy.

{TWO} Let go of expected outcomes more often and enjoy the wonder of literature. Let them explore; let them imagine; let them be grasped into the author’s world; let them play; escape and daydream.

{THREE} Don’t focus and get stuck on the skills of decoding because that’s a sure way to kill enthusiasm for reading. There is no value in teaching children to read if there’s no excitement about reading.

{FOUR} Let children choose the books they read. What captures the imagination varies for each child, (as it does for adults); so let children choose the books they will read. This choice is not always easy. How often have we as adults stood in front of countless bookshelves as we make our decisions? Provide guidance for supportive choices. Listen to their interests and needs. Recommend books that introduce them to new authors and remind them of classics.

{FIVE} Create special reading areas.  Make it easier for children to concentrate when reading. Make it comfortable and ensure good lighting. A quiet environment is also helpful.

{SIX} Have a good supply of engaging books.  You can tell if the books you’ve got are engaging by the level of noise or silence during reading.

{SEVEN} Introduce new books to children by reading aloud. Make it engaging – use character voices. If you’re really terrible at this, look for great audio books. The more engaged they are, the more value children will place on books and reading.

{EIGHT} Participate in a children’s choice award. Let children nominate and vote for their favourite books and be part of a real outcome.

{NINE} Meet authors and illustrators. Personally meeting and talking with the creators of the adored books would excite any reader.

{TEN} Give children more time to read.  It’s not just about the quality of time, but the quantity of time.

N&M: 4 years, 2 months
E: 2 years, 1 month

August 2012

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However, what I really adore about the Hairy Maclary series is that the stories aren’t just filled with words that rhyme just for the sake of rhyming. It’s an authentic text. The characters are developed, there is a plot, there is a witty end and all wrapped up with a wonderful sense of  humour.

 
We were lucky enough to recently see Hairy Maclary and Friends, an interactive stage show adaptation of the books.

 
The venue, Sydney Opera House, was exciting enough. However, when the boys saw the characters brought to life on stage, (by actors in very clever costumes), they were speechless.

 
Once they got over their star-struck state, they participated in the singing and actions and before we knew it, we had to say goodbye to our favourite book characters.

Oh well, we can always meet them again in our books.

 N&M: 3 years, 7 months
E: 1 year, 6 months
K: 1 month

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If you know that quote and love it, you will absolutely adore this book. Mr Darcy, written by Alex Field and illustrated by Peter Carnavas is Pride & Prejudice for kids. There’s a Mr Darcy (of course), a duck who lived by himself on the edge of Pemberly Park. And there’s a Lizzy in the story too (yay!). She’s often accompanied by her sisters. There’s also Bingley (a horse) and Caroline and Maria his friends. If you’re not smitten yet, here’s a snippet of the book:

As Mr Darcy turned the corner he tripped and fell right in front of Lizzy and her sisters.

“Mr Darcy, this is a surprise,” said Lizzy. “Are you in good health?”

Mr Darcy replied that he was in excellent health.

How cute! Perhaps if I read this often enough to my children, they’ll start to converse in this manner? Ahh, the Pride & Prejudice fan within me can barely contain the excitement. If you’re a fan too, make sure you get your hands on a copy of this book. If not for your children, get it for yourself, (wink wink).

See other books we’ve read and enjoyed.

This post was shared in the following linky parties:

For the Kids Friday

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This is Jason Mraz, one of the musicians my husband and I adore. Last night, we (grown ups only) were lucky enough to attend his acoustic concert at the Sydney Opera House – what a treat!

I can’t help but admire songwriters/musicians. The great ones possess an amazing ability to compose and intertwine wonderful lyrics and music – no easy feat… and to be brave enough to put it out there for all the world to hear.

It’s humbling to think of the creative possibilities and courage God has gifted upon humans.

As I sat there in the concert enjoying the musical feast surrounding me, I thought about the wonder of language. It’s the means by which we express ourselves and it takes an entire lifetime to master – if it can be mastered.

My literacy challenge for this week focuses on vocabulary. My aims from Weitzman, E  & Grenberg, J 2010, ABC and Beyond: Building Emergent Literacy in Early Childhood Settings published by the Hanen Early Language Program, Canada, are:

• Select books that include non-fiction as well as stories
• Pre-select new vocabulary (no more than five new words per book)
• Include a variety of types of new words (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs)
• Introduce new vocabulary by stressing, showing, telling, relating and saying words again.

• We’ve cut down the number of books read in one session to allow more time for conversations.
• So much is achieved by observing, waiting and listening to what children have to say about the story. Just pause and wait for them to say something. A conversation awaits. A chance to learn more about your children and how they understand the world awaits.
• Conversations build up relationships.

Finally, here are the books we’ve been reading these last two weeks. I have marked our highly recommended books with an * and added them to the Lessons Learnt Journal Favourite Books List.

My First Batman Book by Downtown Bookworks Inc*. If you have little ones who adore superheroes you simply must get this book and the others in the same series (there’s a Superman and Wonderwoman one too). There are fun interactive features for young fans. This Batman book has a glow-in-the-dark bat signal. One to add to the Christmas shopping list.

That’s Not My Dinosaur an Usborne touchy-feely book by Fiona Watt & Illustrated by Rachel Wells*. Very cute pictures and fun textures throughout to engage the youngest of readers. My children can’t get enough of dinosaurs.  I don’t think dinosaurs were really this cute when they were around though.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See by Bill Martin Jr & Illustrated by Eric Carle*. Classic children’s book. Great for learning colours and animals.

Hairy Maclary and Zachary Quack by Lynley Dodd*. We finally have another Hairy Maclary book to add to our collection. We love Hairy Maclary and his new friend Zachary Quack. We can’t get enough of Hairy Maclary. With this week’s literacy challenge focusing on vocabulary, the Hairy Maclary series offers boundless opportunities. We will have to revisit some Hairy Maclary books.

Who’s Driving by Leo Timmers*. This is book published by Gecko Press. I have been very impressed by the books published by Gecko Press. The books are engaging, fun and encourage conversations. This particular book has children looking for clues to see which driver “fits” into which vehicle. They have to look at what the driver is wearing or has on him/her and make conclusions about whether that sort of driver would drive that vehicle. A fantastic book with opportunities for children to verbally articulate and validate their opinions.

999 Tadpoles Find a New Home by Ken Kimura & Illustrated by Yasunai Murakami*. This is another Gecko Press published book and it’s a seriously good book. Although this is probably the longest book N & M have come across so far, the story and pictures are so engaging, they request for it to be read first every night. They can retell the story and love adding their own bits to the story as it’s being read. A great book to add to the Christmas shopping list.

  

  

The Big Picture Story Bible by David Helm, Many Silent Years Part 12, God’s Promise One is Born Part 13, God’s Promised One is Announced, Part 14. I don’t know why we didn’t do it before, but we only just started using the audio CD that comes with this book. The boys love listening to another voice (and accent) reading to them. We’ve just read the Christmas story and it’s amazing to think this is the first time N&M hear the actual Christmas story and are beginning to understand it.

What are you reading this week? How are you promoting literature and literacy in your home? Are there any books that you adore and highly recommend? Share the love and leave a comment, and don’t forget to check back for responses.

N & M: 3 years 5 months
E: 16 months

Check out our Lessons Learnt Journal Favourite Books List.
Read about the whys and hows of our weekly books routine.

We are part of the following book sharing parties:

Smiling like Sunshine Book Sharing Monday

 

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