National Dog Day---Three Tales Celebrating Our Loyal and Lovable Canine Companions

     "I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love.  For me, they are the role model for being alive."--Gilda Radner

     August 26, 2013 marks the ninth anniversary of National Dog Day, which was started to shine a well-needed spotlight on the huge amount of shelter pets in the United States who are in desperate need to find their forever homes.  And, in honor of this very special day, here are a few tales that you can share with your family (both the two-legged and the four legged members).  They are for all of us who are lucky enough to get to share our lives filled with the love of loyal, silly, compassionate canines.

Ruff! and the Wonderfully Amazing Busy Day

     Sweet little Ruff is an awfully busy dog!  He likes to dig (why naturally!) and plant flowers in the backyard garden of his home, all the while, singing a cheerful song, "Busy, Busy, all day long, toodle-oodle, that's my song!"  After his days chores have been completed, Ruff looks over his handiwork and although he's quite content over his hard day's work, he's feeling rather lonely.  It seems that all Ruff wants is a friend to sing along with him.  He quickly bounces out of his melancholy and resumes digging to build a new pond, when all of his work soon comes to an abrupt halt when Ruff hears the scared voice of a tiny little mouse named Hubble.  Ruff unexpectedly and unknowingly has made Hubble the mouse homeless through his digging!  After he kindly offers to rebuild Hubble's house, the pair soon become fast friends and later, stumble upon a lost little duck named Lottie, who is forced to start looking for a new place to live.   Will Ruff and Hubble be able to help Lottie?
     Caroline Jayne Church's tale shines throughout with the lovable characters who show us that sometimes, the most unlikely people will find lasting friendship.

Ruff! and the Wonderfully Amazing Busy Day
By Caroline Jayne Church; Text by Gillian Shields
Publisher:  Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (2013)
Website:  www.harpercollinschildrens.com
ISBN: 978-0-06-201498-6
For ages 4 thru 8
Retails for $17.99 (Hardcover)


Seaman's Journal--On the Trail with Lewis and Clark

     The story of the real-life adventures of explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, as they embarked on their historic journey to discover a route to the Pacific Ocean in August of 1803 is told through the eyes of a beautiful Newfoundland named Seaman.  This tale is adapted from the diaries of Meriwether Lewis, and is filled with historic, factual information that will take readers right front and center to the action.  Through Seaman, we discover the differences between beavers, badgers and squirrels in a chase; how the intense heat of the prairie is too much for a Newfoundland to bear (he ends up cooling off all day in a riverbank); meet various tribes of Indians, and along a stop at Fort Mandan in November of 1804, Seaman meets Toussaint Charbonneau and his Shoshone Indian wife, Sacajawea.  Patricia Reeder Eubank weaves accurate data and gorgeous watercolor illustrations in a way that brings this story of a fearless explorer way ahead of his time, and the timeless loyalty of his faithful, four-legged companion in a way that children will feel as if they are right there with Seaman and crew amidst all of the action of this time period. 
 

Seaman's Journal--On the Trail with Lewis and Clark

Written and Illustrated by Patricia Reeder Eubank

Publisher:  Ideals Children's Books, an imprint of Ideals Publications (2010 )

Website:  www.idealbooks.com

ISBN: 978-0-8249-5619-6
For ages 7 and up
Retails for $9.99 (Softcover)

Charlie the Ranch Dog- Where's the Bacon?  (I Can Read Beginning 1 Reading Book)
      Charlie, the helpful basset hound's idyllic life as chief ranch hand (or, as Drummond lets readers know that, well, everyone on her ranch knows that, "Charlie is the boss.") and occasional squirrel chaser is once again quickly turned upside down, this time, by the arrival of Rowdy the dog.  At first, Charlie is willing to be a good dog and shows Rowdy the ropes around the Drummond ranch, but, something quickly smells funny to Charlie.  And familiar.  "Hmm, That's funny.  Rowdy smells like bacon.  He must like bacon, too." As Charlie runs back into the house for breakfast, he sees that his bowl, normally brimming with bacon, is empty.  And, so is his water dish!  And, when he sees Rowdy getting his belly rubbed by Mama, well, Charlie decides to put a stop to it.  But, something unexpected happens on the ranch that makes Charlie reconsider.  Will Charlie call a truce?  Will Rowdy and Charlie become friends?  And, will Charlie ever find the missing bacon?
      Drummond's delightful story about the adventures of her real life dog make this tale a must-read bedtime story, and your little ones will also enjoy looking out for the tiny chipmunk who is featured on every page, even though he is never mentioned in the story. 


Charlie the Ranch Dog-Where's the Bacon?  (I Can Read Beginning 1 Reading Book)
Based on the Charlie the Ranch Dog books by author Ree Drummond (The Pioneer Woman) and Illustrated by Diane deGroat
Publisher:  Harper, An imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (2013)
Website:  www.harpercollinschildrens.com
ISBN: 978-0-06-221909-1
For ages 4 thru 8
Retails for $16.99 (Hardcover)





***Momma's Note:   If your family is looking to adopt, please visit www.petfinder.com or www.aspca.org for further information on all you will need to know before you consider bringing home a shelter dog.

Our best friend.  Our protector.  Our clingy, lovable lizard hunting pup, who has blessed our family for  five years. 

Ready, Set, Count! Four Tales to Help Introduce Number Recognition and Counting Skills

 

     There are so many ways that you and your family can start to incorporate into your daily routines that will help guide your little one on the road to number identification and early counting concepts.  With amusing games that you can create while your out and about; collecting and sorting the ingredients to cook up a batch of gooey, delicious double chocolate chip cookies on a rainy day; to creating silly imaginative songs for an impromptu scavenger hunt while out for a walk-- you'll soon be on your way to opening up your child's comprehension of these basic but extremely important early learning skills.
     And, you all probably know me well enough by now to guess that I've always been a loyal advocate of the strong influence that picture and beginning-to-read books play in reinforcing all of those early number lessons, most especially those that we instilled in our son when he was small.  Teaching these vital skills through the use of imaginative stories, like the ones featured below, are a simple way that will always help to guide you in making learning about numbers exciting and fun for your little ones!

Everything Goes 123 Beep Beep Beep!  A Counting Book

       Just an absolutely amusing, sturdy picture book by author/illustrator Brian Biggs for your little boy (or girl!) who is fascinated by all things with wheels.   This picture book features a modern update on the different modes of transportation---instead of the familiar tug boats or small cars, your little ones will count and be on the lookout for colorful food trucks, compact cars and RV's. 

Everything Goes 123 Beep Beep Beep!  A Counting Book
Written & Illustrated by Brian Biggs
Publisher:  Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (December 2012)
Website:  www.harpercollinschildrens.com
ISBN: 978-0-06-195812-0
For Ages: 3 and up
Retails for: $7.99 (Hardcover)

Six Little Chicks
     As our tale begins, five little chicks are nestled comfortably in a farm deep in a lush meadow.  They are looked over by their proud yet fiercely overprotective mother,  Red Hen.  One day, on a typical beautiful morning on the farm, Red Hen decides to let her little brood out of their cozy wooden hut to explore.  Your little ones will count along with mama Red Hen, as she checks on each of her five little chicks, but they will also delight in repeating each of the chicks actions ("The first little chick going  Peck Peck Peck," and "The second little chick going Cheep Cheep Cheep," and so on and so forth.), actions in which we soon learn will come in quite handy when the "Big Bad Fox", enticed by the scent of a potential dinner, comes strolling into the farm. 
     Filled with vibrant illustrations and delightfully rhyming text by author/illustrator Jez Alborough (Alborough's story, Duck in the Truck, was a favorite among my PreK class last year during library storytime),  Six Little Chicks,  will not disappoint, and it will make for a funny read aloud with a class to reiterate a counting/number recognition lesson, or just read alone one-on-one with your little ones!

Six Little Chicks
Written & Illustrated by Jez Alborough
Publisher:  Barron's Educational Series, Inc. (2012)
Website:  www.barronseduc.com
ISBN: 978-1-4380-0181-4
For ages: 3 and up
Retails for $6.99 (Softcover)



123 versus ABC

     It's an all out war as numbers and letters clash in their downright silly attempts to proclaim themselves as the dominant leaders in this zany tale by the author/illustrator of Little Jack Horner LIVE From the Corner, Mike Boldt.
     Suddenly, as if out from the blue, 1 alligator shows up, followed by 2 bears, who arrived in 3 cars (you're starting to get the picture!), and all of the warring numbers and letters are quickly overwhelmed.  Will the letters and numbers draw a truce and learn to agree and get along with one another before it's too late?  With vivid illustrations and a hilarious storyline, you and your little ones will be laughing right up to the surprise ending!

123 versus ABC
Written & Illustrated by Mike Boldt
Publisher:  HarperCollins Childrens (2013)
Website:  www.harpercollincschildrens.com
ISBN: 978-0-06-210299-7
For ages 4 thru 8
Retails for $17.99 (Hardcover)

Richard Scarry's Let's Count with Lowly!
     Come along on a counting journey with Lowly, the lovable, helpful worm, as he guides your little ones through his hometown, Busytown, in this delightful tale by the beloved late children's author/illustrator Richard Scarry.  At first, Lowly starts out at the number one, for there is only one Lowly, as he sweetly reminds us, and then, we meet Lowly's friend, the cheerful Huckle Cat, and when you put them together, they make two!  This book features handy number tabs at the top of each page, along with numbered dots, which encourage number recognition with your little ones, prompting them to take a moment on each page to count the other animals and other items that surround.

Richard Scarry's Let's Count with Lowly!
Written & Illustrated by Richard Scarry
Publisher: Barron's Educational Series, Inc. (2012)
Website:  www.barronseduc.com
ISBN: 978-07641-6600-6
For ages:
Retails for $7.99 (Hardcover)

Insightful Ways to Spark the Inner Reader in Your Toddler

Wanted to share this insightful read this morning with you all about tips on creating a "Little Reader" in your toddler.   Spark the light on your little one's imagination with these helpful pointers... :)

http://icanread.com/parentsfamilies/tipsandtricks.cfm

A Few Tales to Enjoy Before the End of Summer

Although the end of summer is approaching, here are a few tales to carry along in a beach bag or in the car, to soak up at a leisurely pace before we welcome the start of a new season.

Coral Reefs
     The wonders of science and nature have fascinated award-winning author Seymour Simon for most of his life.  A graduate of the prestigious Bronx High School of Science, and became a science teacher.  After teaching for 23 years, Simon began writing stories for children during the 1960s.  And, although he has retired from teaching, he hasn't completely left the classroom behind, as he is a frequent visitor to schools across the country.  Simon explains that he hasn't, "really given up teaching, and I suppose that I never will, not as long as I keep writing."  It is this focus on gearing his work for young students that has made Seymour Simon one of the most prolific writers of science/nature books for school-aged children, publishing an astonishing 250 books. 
    

     Simon's latest, Coral Reefs is filled with stunning photography throughout the over 30 page book. Cruising through the coral reefs around the world,  one cannot help to feel like they are a part of the adventure, swimming and snorkeling along under the sea while reading this story.  Simon gently explains to his young readers how they should marvel over the sea's beautiful reefs, plant and wildlife, while at the same time, emphasizing the importance of working together to save and retain this wondrous natural habitat.  I appreciated the fact that Simon included an informative glossary at the back of the book, so little budding naturalists will be able to have a greater understanding of what specific terms mean, and educators can utilize to reinforce a lesson on oceanography.

Coral Reefs
Written by Seymour Simon
Publisher:  Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Website:  www.harpercollinschildrens.com
ISBN: 978-0-06-191495-9
For ages: 6 to 10
Retails for: $17.99

At the Beach
     As I read through this delightful tale by author Elizabeth Spurr, I was taken back to my childhood growing up on the shores of the Long Island Sound.  The little boy in this story is enjoying a day by the water, and as I read the story and was charmed by Spurr's simple rhyming text, greatly enhanced by the charming illustrations by artist Manelle Oliphant, I quickly remembered the strong smell of the salt in the air drifting off of the waves; the feel of the warm sand through my toes as I dug deeper and deeper in the sand around me on a search for sea shells.  This sweet, short tale provides its readers with an abundance of opportunities to read the story with emotion and many ways to help their little ones focus in on the sounds of the words, to promote early literacy skills.

At the Beach
Written by Elizabeth Spurr & Illustrated by Manelle Oliphant
Publisher:  Peachtree Publishers (2013)
Website:  www.peachtree-online.com
ISBN:  978-1-56145-583-6
Retails for: $6.95
For ages: 2 and up

Water Water Everywhere

   We are surrounded by water everywhere around us, as the little boy in this short tale quickly learns.  Clouds are, "water that floats up high" while a small raindrop that brings a drink to his thirsty flower bed is, "water that falls from the sky".  Accentuated with sweetly simple illustrations by artist Kenneth Pollack, author Hal Schmid takes his young budding scientists in the making on a short yet insightful journey into the wonders of water, and ends it on a funny note, reminding us that sometimes, after quenching our thirst after all this talk of water, you just have to go! :)

Water Water Everywhere
Written by Hal Schmid & Illustrated by Kenneth Pollock
Publisher:  Richard C. Owen Publishers, Inc.
Website:  www.RCOwen.com
ISBN: 1-57274-527-4
Retails for $3.62
For ages 4 and up
For ages: