New (and not so new) I Can Read Tales Just in Time for Summer

     With the warm summer days upon us,  there is a lot more time for your little ones to enjoy numerous adventures----going to the park, heading over to the beach or the movies, or heading out on a family trip.  But, before you head out on the road, why not pack along a few of these new, and not so new, I Can Read tales that are a good fit to continue to encourage your little ones to read all summer long.

The Berenstain Bears' Lemonade Stand (I Can Read Beginning 1 Reading)
     The warm summer temperatures have hit Bear Country, and Brother, Sister and Honey Bear are feeling the heat as they play outside.  As Momma Bear brings her little cubs some cool, refreshing lemonade, the trio starts to feel revived.  And, it also sparks a great idea---why not share Momma's delicious lemonade with other parched critters in Bear Country who are also feeling the heat!  Filled with short, easy-to-read sentences that are enhanced by the ever charming illustrations, as well as the familiar and very much appreciated and timeless lessons about sharing, responsibility and the importance of working as a team that your little ones will learn from every Berenstain Bears' tale, this sweet installment of my favorite bear family is an inviting and refreshing read, indeed!

(Momma's Tip:  For more adventures with Momma, Papa, Brother, Sister and Honey Bear, and all the critters of Bear Country, please visit www.berenstainbears.com)

The Berenstain Bears' Lemonade Stand (I Can Read Beginning 1 Reading)
Written & Illustrated by Mike Berenstain (Based on the characters created by Stan and Jan Berenstain)
Publisher:  Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (2014)
Website:  www.harpercollinschildrens.com
For ages 4 to 8
Retails for $3.99 (Softcover)
ISBN: 978-0-06-207544-4

Little Critter:  Going to the Sea Park (I Can Read-My First I Can Read) 
      I find it hard to believe that the lovable "Little Critter" will soon be celebrating his 40th birthday next year (Just For You, the first book featuring "Little Critter" by beloved author Mercer Mayer, was published in 1975).  As our tale begins, Little Critter and his classmates are on a trip to the sea park, where they encounter fish and sea creatures of all shapes and sizes.  Your little readers will be able to relate to Little Critter and his friends, as each experiences a different encounter with the inhabitants of the sea park--one critter falls into the water; some feel scared when they meet up with a giant shark (smiling with a very toothy grin from behind the glass)!  But, with a simple, engaging story line perfect for either reading aloud to your little ones, or for your emerging reader, Going to the Sea Park will be delight.

(Momma's Tip:  To join in on more Little Critter fun with your little ones, please visit www.littlecritter.com

Little Critter:  Going to the Sea Park (I Can Read-My First I Can Read)
Written & Illustrated by Mercer Mayer
Publisher:  HarperCollins Publishers (2009)
Website:  www.harpercollinschildrens.com
ISBN: 978-0060835538
For ages 4 to 8
Retails for $3.99
Accelerated Reader Book Level: 1.2
Accelerated Reader Points: 0.5

Gilbert, the Surfer Dude (I Can Read- Reading 2 With Help)
      From Diane deGroat, the illustrator of the popular Charlie the Ranch Dog series (including the tale featured below), comes Gilbert, the cute opossum, aka, Gilbert the Surfer Dude, who's so excited to be visiting the beach with his family on a warm summer day.  But things don't seem to go as Gilbert hopes, as his sister, Lola, is afraid to go into the water because she's afraid that there will be sharks swimming along with her, and poor Gilbert, in all of his exuberance, forgets to take along his swimsuit! As Lola slowly tries to conquer her fear by getting her little feet wet, Gilbert has to deal with a bathing suit (labeled with the words, "Surfer Dude" ) that his mother bought that's just too big!  This is the first I Can Read book that follows the adventures of the lovable, curious opossum, is divided into three short, easy- to-read chapters that your developing reader will be able to read with confidence.


Gilbert, the Surfer Dude (I Can Read-Reading 2 With Help)
Written & Illustrated by Diane deGroat
Publisher:  HarperCollins (2009)
Website:  www.harpercollinschildrens.com
For ages 4 to 8
ISBN: 978-0-06-1252112
Retails for $3.99 (Paperback)
Accelerated Reader Book Level: 2.3
Accelerated Reader Points: 0.5



Charlie the Ranch Dog:  Charlie's New Friend (I Can Read-Beginning 1 Reading)

     One of my all-time favorite 'dog' series, the lovable, lazy, bacon-devotee basset hound is back in this latest installment of the popular, "Charlie the Ranch Dog" tales written by Ree "The Pioneer Woman" Drummond and illustrated by her longtime collaborator, Diane deGroat.
      As our tale begins, the warm sun rises over Charlie's face as he's in mid slumber (alongside him, lies the familiar, friendly little chipmunk that my students love to search for and pick out in each of Drummond's stories!).  He sniffs around for his regular bacon breakfast, and finds, horrors of horror.... NO BACON!  In his search to find his Mama so she can feed his empty tummy, he finds her working in the field, planting vegetables in her garden, when Charlie stumbles across a rabbit, peeking out from behind the raised garden bed.  As he howls a warning for Mama, the clever rabbit steals a freshly dug up carrot from Mama's basket.  The chase begins--- will Charlie and Mr. Rabbit become friends?   Or will Mr. Rabbit continue to eat all of Mama's yummy carrots?
     With a focus on text that is easy to sound out, Charlie the Ranch Dog:  Charlie's New Friend is written specifically for your little ones (who are in grades 1 and/or 2) who have the ability to read a short book mostly on their own, with no assistance, or aloud to an adult. And, I am so thrilled to see that Charlie's adventures on the ranch are continuing to be adapted into the, "I Can Read" series, so children in all types of reading levels will be able to enjoy the antics of this winsome pup!


Charlie the Ranch Dog:  Charlie's New Friend (I Can Read-Beginning 1 Reading)
Written by Ree Drummond & Illustrated by Diane deGroat
Publisher:  Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (2014)
Website: www.harpercollinschildrens.com
For ages 4 to 8
Retails for $16.99 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 978-0-06-221915-2
Accelerated Reader Book Level: 1.9
Accelerated Reader Points: 0.5

How a Timeless Classic Picture Book Still Holds a Special Place in My Heart---Naughty Nancy by John S. Goodall

     The world of books opened the doors wide to my growing imagination as a young child almost 36 years ago when I started to learn how to read.  My mother and I would make almost weekly pilgrimages to our local library where I grew up in a small town outside of New York City.

My library, as it was over 37 years ago.

Once there, among the cherry wood bookshelves, proudly stood dozens of stories which eagerly awaited for my tiny hands to reach in and take them home.  And, nestled among all those children's stories lied one very special picture book, that was soon to hold the title of being the very first book that my mother checked out for me on our first visit to our library over 37 years ago.

     Written by British author/illustrator John S. Goodall, Naughty Nancy details the mischievous adventures of a little mouse named Nancy, who is chosen to be a flower girl at her older sister's elegant wedding.  This charming tale, with delicate illustrations, is completely wordless! However, this was typical of John S. Goodall's work, as according to his 1996 obituary published in The Independent, not only were all of his books illustrated by him, none of his tales contained any words, beyond the title.  I have always found that this remarkable feature helps families to elaborate and add all sorts of bells and whistles to the story in any way they please!  But, don't let this factor make you pass this book by, as your little ones will not only relate to, but will immensely enjoy the antics of this adorable, playful little mouse who wrecks havoc before, during, and after the wedding ceremony and reception.  Also, you will appreciate how uniquely designed the book is, as each scene in the story changes with a slight turn of a half page.  For example, one of the "lift-the-flap" style features a page and a half of a lovely scene where the bride and groom are posing for pictures outside of the chapel, and when you turn the half page, there's the next scene where Naughty Nancy is running out of the chapel, coming towards the photographer for a silly pose!

My library, after the renovation.

       Let's just fast forward to today, and I am extremely lucky enough to be able to say that among my collection of tales stored safely in my bookshelves, is the very same edition of Naughty Nancy that I would check out from the children's section of my library.  One year, before the library was renovated, there was a book sale held to help make room for the newly acquired books to go along with the extensive renovations.  As I perused the vast tables filled with fiction, non fiction and children's tales, underneath several Beverly Cleary "Ramona" paperbacks, lied a timeworn, hard covered book jacket with a familiar little mouse clad in a fancy pink dress walking behind a bride and groom mouse couple.  I couldn't believe my eyes!  There it was, after all those years.  I was astonished, and quickly humbled to see that the tiny little book that I would hold in my small hands all those years ago, sitting on my mother's lap,  still contained the jacket pocket in the back where I would sign my name in pencil on the library card.  I would hand the card to the friendly librarian with the blazing red hair and big brown glasses who always greeted me with a smile every time I came to her desk to check out my books.
     I smiled as I quickly snatched the book right up, and went over to the checkout counter, and paid the volunteer 50 cents.  How thrilled I was to be able to hold this sweet memory of my childhood after all those years, and looked forward to sharing it someday (as I eventually did) with my own child. Naughty Nancy is quite simply one of the best picture books for your little one's active imagination.   A timeless treasure that is worth the read!

Naughty Nancy
Written & Illustrated by John S. Goodall
Publisher:  Margaret K. McElderry Books (an imprint of Simon and Schuster)
Originally published in 1975.
For ages 4 and up
ISBN: 0-689-82358-4

AAP Urges Parents to Read to Their Babies with New Policy Guidelines

     This morning, when I first heard about this important announcement from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), I couldn't help to think about my post last week, "Can Babies Learn to Read." As I mentioned in my piece, I have always believed in the importance of reading stories to babies, as even though they may not have the capacity to learn to read during this stage in their life, this early exposure to books during their infancy will not only lead them on the path to developing those all-important early speech, language and phonemic skills, but you are helping to open the doors to furthering their imagination through the wonder that only books can bring.
     Kudos to Dr. Dipesh Navsaria, medical director of the Wisconsin chapter of Reach Out and Read (a nonprofit literacy group that enlists over thousands of pediatricians throughout the United States to distribute books to low-income families), Too Small to Fail  (a joint effort from the nonprofit Next Generation and the Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton Foundation) and Scholastic for working together on furthering this vital cause.
     http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/24/us/pediatrics-group-to-recommend-reading-aloud-to-children-from-birth.html?_r=1

Can Babies Learn to Read?

  No doubt you've all come across at least one, if not several, advertisements that make quite vocal claims that their product will be able to teach your baby how to read.  I'll make a confession myself---as a young mother, I admit to being enticed by these types of advertisements that I saw on television and online that claimed that their single product would be able to give my newborn an educational head start on the all important skills of reading.  But, I just could not completely get myself to buy into the belief that these products would be able to make my beautiful baby boy a reader at the tender age of three months!
     Interestingly enough, recently I came across a study published in the February 2014 edition of the Journal of Educational Psychology that examined the effects of a particular best-selling baby media product that touted its expertise in specializing in reading development, that I thought I would share with you all.
     Researchers, led by Susan Neuman, a professor at New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, observed 117 infants between the ages of 8 and 18 months who were randomly assigned to treatment and control groups.  Infants classified into the treatment group received the baby media product (which consisted of DVDs, word/picture flashcards and word books) that were used on a daily basis over a seven month period.  The infants placed into the control group did not receive these materials.
     During this seven month period, researchers observed a four phase developmental model of reading, with careful attention paid to phonemic, letter and sound recognition, as well as conventional reading/vocabulary comprehension.  Utilizing advanced tracking technology that follows even the tiniest eye movement from the infants, researchers were able to monitor how the infants distributed their attention, as well as how they shifted their gaze from one location to another when specific words and phrases were displayed in front of them.
     The researchers conclusions were startling--there was no difference displayed between the infants exposed to the baby media product than to those who were part of the control group on 13 of 14 assessments.  "While we cannot say with full assurance that infants at this age cannot learn printed words, our results make clear that they did not learn printed words from the baby media product that was tested," explains Neuman.
     However, Neuman went on to state that there was one undeniable effect that these products have made, and it wasn't on the infants.  It was on their parents.  "There was belief among parents that their babies were learning to read and that their children had benefited from the program in some areas of vocabulary development.  It's clear that parents have great confidence in the impact of these products on their children.  Unfortunately, our study indicates that this sentiment is misplaced."
      While the results of this study can stir up passionate feelings on both ends of the spectrum, ultimately, at least in my eyes, this study's findings highlight the important issue of an infants literacy development.  At this early stage, although infants may not have the capacity to learn how to read, it doesn't necessarily mean that parents should consider this as a means to temporarily neglect to encourage their baby's literacy growth.  This is where I feel that the power of leading our children by example, which is something that I believe so strongly in, takes great precedence. Simple things like bundling your little one up in their stroller for a trip to your local library or nearby bookstore to enjoy story time on a regular basis, to having your little ones see you, Dad, and all of their loved ones around them, reading consistently for your own pleasure as well as to them, will speak volumes.  And, I'll make yet another confession--- during the first trimester of my pregnancy, I started to read to my swollen belly, and continued to do so right up until the day I delivered.  I knew that if I would follow the things that my mother did when I was young, by exposing my baby to the world of knowledge and imagination that books bring to us all-- thru taking the time to read to him even during those tender first days of his life when my husband and I brought him home from the hospital, provided my husband and I with priceless bonding moments with our son.  And, most importantly, this helped to lay the groundwork for our son to share in our love of books, of which we are very proud of, and very lucky to say that today, years later, he still does.

Tales to Share about the Wonders of the Sea

 
     Even at their most tender age, our little ones have always seemed to have some kind of innate sense of the immensity of the ocean, and the creatures that call it home.  And, I defy anyone to tell me that there wasn't a point of time during their childhood which they too, weren't fascinated by the ocean's mysterious, fragile and yet, sometimes threatening inhabitants,that have long inspired the tales read during our youth.
     As a child, I consider myself extremely fortunate, as I grew up along the shores of the Long Island Sound. I spent many lovely summer hours playing in the cool, gentle waves, gathering mussel and razor clam shells, and building my own fairy castles in the sand.  And, even during cool fall days, when the beach goers were long gone, I could be found sitting on one of the huge rocks at one of my favorite beaches, with my journal, a good book, or with nothing at all, relishing the peaceful solitude as the winds blew white capped-laden waves against the sandy shoreline.

One of the many beaches from my hometown on the shores of Long Island Sound.

     Even today, I still marvel over the ocean's vastness, and have developed a lifelong appreciation for protecting its all-to-often endangered sea life.  And, while nothing truly compares with the unforgettable experience that you and your little ones will share during an actual visit to the ocean, where sun, sand, seashells and surf will both entice and enlighten, these tales below are a good place to help to start light the spark in your child's mind and imagination about the wonders of the sea.

Octopus's Garden

      I have long believed that Ringo Starr's pleasant voice was perfectly made for children's narration, ever since I first heard his voice as the narrator on numerous Thomas the Tank Engine episodes that my son adored to watch over and over again as a little boy.
       A story that was sparked well over 46 years ago, while sailing on a yacht owned by the Pink Panther himself (a.k.a. Peter Sellars)  in the Mediterranean Sea, Ringo heard a tale from the ship's captain about the many octopuses that travel across the bottom of the world's great seas, collecting objects and stones to use in their beautiful gardens deep below the sea. Inspired by the captains words, Ringo put pen to paper and "Octopus's Garden" was born!  The song was featured on The Beatles 1969 album, Abbey Road, and Starr's band mate, the late George Harrison,  summed up this lovely song (now published as a beautiful children's picture book) so eloquently when he remarked at the time that the words, "get very deep into your consciousness because it's so peaceful."  This is so very true once you've had a chance to read and enjoy this very unique and special story.
     Your little one (and you as well), will feel this sense of peaceful calm as Harrison stated, as you join along on a journey with a little boy and his friends to the depths of the ocean, where colorfully majestic coral and plant gardens created by smiling octopus's await.  The gardens protect the little boy and his friends from the storms above them, where they are kept safe as they cuddle up on an octopus's lap and listen to stories.  They even get to explore sunken treasures with octopuses, smiling starfish, happy little crabs and other fishes.  The accompanying CD features Ringo Starr reading the tale to children with the same pleasing, reassuring tone that has been all too familiar in our household, as well as a new recording of the song, as well as an instrumental version, which is perfect for you and your little ones to sing along with the story.  This is just simply, a lovely, delightful book, and I hope that Ringo Starr (as well as illustrator Ben Cort) will team up again soon!

Octopus's Garden
Written by Ringo Starr & Illustrated by Ben Cort
Publisher:  Aladdin, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division (2014)
Website:  kids.SimonandSchuster.com
Retails for $17.99 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 978-1-4814-0362-7
For ages 4 thru 8
Accelerated Reader Book Level: 2.5
Accelerated Reader Points: 0.5

     

The ABC's of Oceans
     Utilizing some truly breathtaking photographs of marine plant and animal life from the four oceans to introduce children to the letters of the alphabet, your little ones will be quickly taken on an educational and exciting journey exploring the ocean and all who inhabit it.  Eager young readers will also learn through Kalman's informative text about how ocean animals are defined and classified into groups that include mollusks, mammals and plants, and they will learn to appreciate the spectacular, fascinating world found beneath the depths of the sea.

The ABC's of Oceans
Written by Bobbie Kalman
Publisher:  Crabtree Publishing Company (2007)
For ages 6 to 9
ISBN: 978-0778734123
Accelerated Reader Book Level:  3.9
Accelerated Reader Points: 0.5
Retails for $8.00 (Paperback)

Clark the Shark Dares to Share
      The lovable, well meaning, yet misunderstood shark is back in this delightfully funny follow-up of the popular Clark the Shark stories written by Bruce Hale.  As our tale begins, Clark the Shark is still a student in Mrs. Inkydink's class, and he just loves his teacher and school.  But sometimes, Clark finds that he's having trouble learning the concept of sharing.  His natural exuberance gets the best of him, like the time when his classmate Benny the Blowfish played a lively song on his horn during "Time for Show and Share", and Clark couldn't help but to get up and dance the Funky Shark, interrupting Benny's performance.  When the kindly Mrs. Inkydink tells Clark that while, "sharing is caring"  everyone, including Shark, must remember to, "learn to wait their turn."  And, just when you think that Clark won't ever learn to understand, with the help of his classmates, Mrs. Inkydink, and most importantly, Clark's mommy, he begins to realize just what sharing truly means.  Filled with humor, and a heartwarming message, Clark the Shark Dares to Share is a fitting story to share with your little ones when you are trying to show them examples of the importance of sharing, and how it should come from your heart.


Clark the Shark Dares to Share
Written by Bruce Hale & Illustrated by Guy Francis
Publisher:  Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (2014)
Website: www.harpercollinschildrens.com
Retails for $17.99 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 978-0-06-227905-7
For ages 4 thru 8
Accelerated Reader Book Level: 2.7
Accelerated Reader Points: 0.5

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (Great Illustrated Classics)

     The classic 1870 novel by Jules Verne is revisited in this updated, easy-to-read illustrated adaptation that will hold the interest of your growing chapter reader. Join along with the adventures of Professor Arronax and his sidekick, Conseil, as they sets off in search of a giant sea monster, only to encounter the mysterious Captain Nemo and his submarine, the Nautilus.  Will the Professor ever conquer his quest to find the sea monster, or will Captain Nemo's growing instability wreck on all who reside on the ship?  The adapted storyline will hold the attention of your children, and the illustrations provide a fascinating look into the world of early submarines (one must remember that when Verne originally wrote this classic, submarines were very primitive ships, at best) and ocean life.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (Great Illustrated Classics)
Written by Jules Verne
Publisher:  Waldman Publishing Corporation (2008)
Retails for $6.74 (Paperback)
ISBN: 978-1603400374

Shark Kiss, Octopus Hug

     A little shark named Charlie and his best friend, a octopus named Olivia, each longed for something. All Charlie has ever wanted was a hug, and all Olivia has ever wished for was a kiss from someone who cared for them.   They've search the sea high and low, and while they are safely tucked away from shore, they watch, with longing, at the families along the beach who are having a wonderful time.  They wistfully gaze at little girls kissing their grandmas, and the mommy's hugging their little boys, and they both decide that the time has come for them to try to make their fondest wish come true.  So, first, they try to sell their hugs and kisses, but, needless to say, there are no takers.  They  then put on a play, because, as Charlie says, "Actors always get hugs at the end of a show," but no hugs greeted Charlie at the end of his soliloquy.  And, when the lovable duo failed to get anyone to participate in their eating contest (featuring Charlie's algae souffle)  Charlie and Olivia watch with tears in their eyes as the beach goers run away from them with fright.  And, just when you think that Charlie and Olivia will never see their fondest wish come true, they soon realize that sometimes, what you are looking for may not always be so far away from your reach. Shark Kiss, Octopus Hug will leave your little ones hopeful that dreams can come true, most especially when the power of strong friendship guides them through.

Shark Kiss, Octopus Hug
Written by Lynn Rowe Reed & Illustrated by Kevin Cornell
Publisher:  Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (2014)
Website:  www.harpercollinschildrens.com
For ages 4 to 8
Retails for $14.99 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 978-0-06-220320-5