The words for Week 11 are from the picture book, Annie and the Wild Animals by Jan Brett. I noticed that in my son’s Kindergarten room, the teacher or maybe literacy specialist, mounts a special poster with the cover of book and the list of vocabulary words from the book. They have a time called “Text Talk” where they read the story and talk about the big words. The words stay up all year so the children can look at them. Sometimes, the words come home via a handout to the parents in my child’s backpack, but times are tough and I think they are conserving on paper so I copied these words from the posters and made up the sentences myself. I find that this post is very popular so I will continue it on my own as my child is moving on first grade next year.
14 Wonderful Old Fashioned Easy Readers
While not all these books are from when I was young, they all have an old fashioned innocent feel. In fact, my number one pick, Ling and Ting: Not Exactly the Same! by Grace Lin reminds me so much of my favorite Little Bear series in that it has a tight story line that is both silly and sweet. Easy readers are a rite of passage for both kids and parents. I remember searching for easy readers that were not mind numbingly boring as both parent and child are attached at the hip during this period of literacy.
Best Books for Tweens by a Middle School Boy
Capability:Mom gave me her summer camp newsletter because there is a boy there who all the kids go to when they need a good book recommendation. The kids think he is a kind of genius boy wonder that knows pretty much everything on the planet. I believe he is in middle school. He was kind enough to write up his book recommendations for the newsletter and I have retyped it for you. I love peer to peer book recommendations. Who better to know what you will like than your friend?!
Top 5: Maurice Sendak Picture Books
Happy birthday to Maurice Sendak today, beloved author and Caldecott winning illustrator. To celebrate, I thought I would list our Top 5 favorite books of his. What are yours? Please share!
Top 100: Best Books for Kids by Teachers (for ages 2-18)
In 1999, the National Education Association created this list of 100 books selected by teachers for children and teens. It’s a great list for summer reading!
Sri Lanka with Kids Books, Recipe and Design
The first book is a picture book that is a really wonderful way to visit another culture with your children. The second book is for young adults. As for the food, I was intimidated to make Sri Lankan food, but the owner’s son who manages the two cafes assured me that this was an easy and delicious recipe that he loved as a child. As for Sri Lanka interior design, it reminds of me of Ralph Lauren when he tries to create romantic images of British Colonial Style. It’s elegant cane furniture crossed with Polynesian style.
Best Personalized Baby Gifts for Under $50
I found that I saved all the personalized baby gifts that my three kids received so now I have been giving personalized gifts as well when I have the forethought to plan. I have bought presents from Pocket Baby and Wilder Glassworks and both make great gifts. Simon Pearce comes recommended by Capability:Mom and I like the idea of a piggy bank. Please share your favorite custom baby gifts!







