We travel this week to Japan and go back in time with some stories of my family to the Daimyo Shogunate in Japan. I have chosen some kidlit to reflect the duality of Japan versus United States, and have featured artists who are reflected in the books including ukiyo-e masters Hiroshige and Hokusai and the father of Manga, Osamu Tezuka.
Author: Pragmatic Mom
SAT Vocabulary Words for Kindergarten in Big Al
The words for Week 12 are from the picture book, Big Al by Andrew Clements, illustrated by Yoshi.
29 Picture Books That Teach Math Concepts
Picture books can be a visual and fun way to introduce math concepts. I think it makes math less intimidating when it’s part of a story. For those kids who love math, it’s another way to eat it up!
22 Great Early Chapter Book Series
Dragons and aliens and dinosaurs, oh my! And for girls, there are interesting slightly mischieveous girls to meet as well as cousins who are really sweet. Short chapter book series can often have repetitive plot lines about nothing or language that is neither rich nor interesting. There is something special about each of these book series for the child AND the adult reading along.
Top 100: Truly and Honestly, Best Children’s Picture Books Ever!
This list is from Children’s Book Guide titled Top 100 Children’s Books of all Time. It really is the best list of picture books EVER! It made a little sad as I went through this list. On the one hand, I did manage to read most of these books to my three kids. On the other hand (the sad part), my youngest is almost too old for these books. I think we have another year or so, and then he’s pushing on into chapter books. Another era closed, I suppose, just like diapers to potty training and preschool to elementary school and beyond.
15 Great Summer Coming-of-Age Books with Girl Characters
This is what I was thinking when I came up with this kooky list:
-Summer read, preferably on the beach or on vacation
-Has to be a good read but not too strenuous
-The book is about the summer and/or beach and/or beachy vacation vibe
-A great lead GIRL character
-Counts towards summer homework book assignment but was thoroughly enjoyable
For incoming grades 4-6
12 Great Children’s Books for Florida Beach Vacation (ages 2-18)
In short, we highly recommend North Captiva island as a family vacation. Rent a house or condo on the beach. There are slight complications as island vacations do tend to have such as getting there by water taxi and correctly estimating a week’s worth of groceries but it is well worth it. And if you do, take some of these books with you!







