Tales for Snowbound Little Ones Spotlight #2- Pinkalicious and the Snow Globe

 

  Our, "Tales for Snowbound Little Ones Spotlight #2" features Pinkalicious and the Snow Globe,  the newest release from Victoria Kann,  the #1 New York Times Best-Selling creator/author of the adorable Pinkalicious series of books.
        As our tale begins, Pinkalicious and her brother Peter are overjoyed over the start of their winter vacation from school.  But, something is missing----there's no snow!  Instead of waiting for the snow to fall, Pinkalicious and Peter set out to create their own snow in the form of little bits of newspaper, which end up all over their living room floor.  While their mother is not pleased to see the mess, she decides to take Pinkalicious  to their local gift shop where Pinkalicious meets Maggie, the store owner who is new to Pinkville.  All of Maggie's creations adorn the shelves, and one of them, a bright sparkly, perfectly pink snow globe, catches Pinkalicious' eye. Before leaving with her pretty purchase, Pinkalicious questions why there are many parts to make more snow globes, but there was only one finished one on the shelf.  Maggie forlornly tells Pinkalicious and her mother that since it hasn't snowed yet, she is having a hard time being inspired. picks out a snow globe that she can decorate.  Pinkalicious recalls all of the things that she loves to do in the snow--- sledding, making snow angels in the snow, baking snowflake cookies with her mom.  Will Pinkalicious bring some "Pink-tastic" sparks to Maggie's creativity?

      Pinkalicious and the Snow Globe continues Ms. Kann's imaginative and entertaining storyline of the spunky, pink loving heroine, and your little ones will also enjoy the winter-themed stickers that they can decorate either in the book or use to create their own perfectly pink adventure!
     
Pinkalicious and the Snow Globe

Written & Illustrated by Victoria Kann

Publisher:  Harper Festival, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (2015)

ISBN: 978-0-06-224588-5

Retails for $4.99 (Paperback)

For ages 4 thru 8

Tales for Your Snowbound Little Ones Spotlight #1 Flat Stanley On Ice (I Can Read! 2-Reading with Help)

 

     As you look out your windows this weekend,  and watch the snow gently fall and the winds blow, you may be thinking about how frightful the weather is.  But, don't fear, as you can find delight in cozying up with your little ones in the warmth of your home, with some of the tales that you will see featured on this blog over the next few days.
       Our first, "Tales for Snowbound Little Ones" spotlight features a character that began from simple beginnings as a bedtime story created by the late author Jeff Brown for his young sons almost 52 years ago. "Flat" Stanley Lambchop and family have been featured in numerous adventurous tales that have taken Flat Stanley across the country and around the world.
      In this newest I Can Read! 2- Reading with Help release, Flat Stanley on Ice, Flat Stanley and his little brother Arthur are back home, feeling so excited that winter has finally arrived. The frigid temperatures have helped to freeze the town's lake, making it perfect for ice-skating.  Quickly grabbing their skates, the boys head out to the lake.  When they arrive, Flat Stanley realizes that now that his feet (and everything else about him, since the bulletin board landed on him) are flat, they didn't fit into his skates.  But, our resourceful boy soon realizes that his flat feet work just as perfect on the icy frozen lake floor.  

     As the families are enjoying themselves skating and having a great time, they all start to feel warm from the heat of the shining sun above them.  And, when someone calls out about hot chocolate arriving, everyone stops skating to head over for a warm mug, except Flat Stanley, who decides to take advantage of the emptied lake to show off his skating moves.  But, with a loud creaking noise followed by a crack in the ice leaves Flat Stanley in a precarious position.  Can Flat Stanley be rescued to safety before it's too late?
     The, "I Can Read" series has long been a favorite in our household, as well as in the classroom. Each level, like Flat Stanley On Ice, is simple enough for a child to read either with help or on their own, and will help to motivate your eager readers to conquer each level.

Flat Stanley on Ice (I Can Read 2- Reading with Help)
Created by Jeff Brown

Written by Lori Haskins Houran & Pictures by Macky Pamintuan

Publisher:  Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers

Website: www.harpercollinschildrens.com

ISBN: 978-0-06-218982-0

For Ages 4 thru 8

Well-Know Worriers of Children's Literature Who Overcame Their Fears

 

   Chances are, we all know and can relate to a child who might be prone to worrying.  Sometimes, we can feel at a loss to be able to help them overcome their fears.  In this insightful read from The Guardian, there are several tales of some very famous characters who, like your little ones, felt nervous but learned to overcome their fears.
      http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2016/jan/17/top-10-worriers-in-childrens-literature

Goodnight Already!

      "Children who were exposed to more books and home reading showed significantly more activity in the areas of the brain that process visual association... When kids are hearing stories, they're imagining in their mind's eye when they hear the story," states Dr. John S. Hutton, lead author of a study published in the August 2015 edition of the medical journal Pediatrics.
     Perhaps, in the case of our spotlighted tale, Goodnight Already! by authors Jory John & Benji Davies, your little ones can imagine and relate to a little yet, very inquisitive duck who wants to stay up all night long with his friend, a very sleepy bear (sound familiar... moms and dads!)

     As our tale begins, poor, exhausted bear is completely ready for bed, exclaiming, "I've never been so tired.  I could sleep for weeks.  Months, even!"  As bear settles down into the comfy sheets of his warm bed, with his trusty stuffed animal at his side, his heavy lidden eyes begin to close as he begins his well-deserved sleep, bear quickly gets disturbed by a wide-awake Duck, who just wants to be with his friend (even though it's way past both Bear's and Duck's bedtime).  Bears exasperated expressions throughout Duck's wild ideas and pleas ("Watch a movie?".... "Make Smoothies?"  to waking Bear up once again to collect the ingredients to bake cookies) will elicit lots of smiles and laughter from both you and your little ones during a read aloud.
     And, when Duck comes back for yet another attempt to wake up Bear, this time, Bear has had his fill of Duck interrupting his precious slumber.  Will Bear finally be able to rid himself of Duck to catch those precious "zzz's"?

Goodnight Already!
Written by Jory John & Benji Davies
Publisher:  Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Retails for $17.99 (Hardcover)
Website: www.harpercollinschildrens.com
ISBN: 978-0-06-228620-8
For Ages 4 thru 8
Accelerated Reader Book Level: 1.1
Accelerated Reader Points:  0.5

New Story-Themed Activities for Your Little Ones and Students

     Looking for new, inspiring and entertaining story-themed activities for your little ones?  Take a minute to check out some of these fun ideas: http://buggyandbuddy.com/activities-based-childrens-books/

Inspiration for the Future

   

     "It is an ancient need to be told stories.  But, the story needs a great storyteller."--- Thank you, to the late, beloved actor Alan Rickman, for helping to inspire me once again.  I look forward to sharing more tales for your little ones (as well as debut my very first children's story) this year.  It is my hope to be one of those great storytellers in the new year to come.