Parents Magazine--Spotlight on Raising Readers

Mo Willems
Image Courtesy of publicbroadcasting.net

I just received my copy of Parents magazine in the mail yesterday, and was delighted to see that the November 2011 issue is all about raising readers.

Two of my favorite features in this month's issue are "YOUR CHILD-THRIVE IN 2025: Hit the Books" and "Read, Cook, Love".

"Hit the Books" is a fabulous article in which famous authors and illustrators like Mo Williams, author of the Knuffle Bunny series, talk about how they encourage and support a love of reading in their children.

Image Courtesy of cup-a.blogspot.com

"Read, Cook, Love" showcases recipes that come from favorite children's books like: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, Chicken Soup With Rice, The Runaway Bunny, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The recipes are super fun, and allow kids to "play" with, as well as make choices about thier food, making even the pickiest eaters likely to indulge.

Though you will have to purchase (or check it out at your library) the November 2011 issue of Parents in order to read some of these stellar articles (I think they are too new to be listed on the website-at least I can't find them), you can find various resources in the "Raise A Reader" section of their website. You'll find:

• The best books by age
• Potty training books
• The best books for "big kids"
• Best books for brainy kids

Any MANY MANY other resources.

Image courtesy of Parents.com

While you are checking out these resources, you should be aware that Parents is hosting a contest where kids can win gift cards for books, as well as money for their school libraries. Find the details by following the links here, because who doesn't love free books?!?!

Free Early Literacy E-books!

Photo provided by startupnation.com

Today I stumbled across some awesome early literacy e-books/resources at schoolsparks.com.

In this plethora of information, I discovered 2
e-books that School Sparks has put out. Both contain worksheets that can assist in homeschooling or practice just for fun.

The first e-book is called Stepping Stones For Early Readers

And the second is called Early Writing For Little Hands

Both of these will pop up in an Adobe Acrobat file, so if you need to update or software, or download Acrobat you can get a free copy here.

Enjoy!

*I'm missing out on Wordless Wednesday again this week. All of my computer "stuff" and my camera are still packed away. :(*

Free Books for Kids Ages 0-5!

Now, I've never been a big Dolly Parton fan, (the big hair, big boobs, microscopic waist thing kind of put me off) let alone a fan of country music. However, this summer I think I've become one of Dolly's biggest fans.

I only saw the exterior of Dolly Parton, and didn't know anything about her heart. Turns out she has a big one, particularly when it comes to Early Literacy.

In 1996, Dolly Parton founded Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Dolly wanted every child, regardless of income to have access to books. So to make reading special, she sent a book to every child in her home county in Tennessee. Read the full story here

This tradition not only continues, but has expanded to the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. And Dolly's dream of having children discover a special surprise book, just for them, in their mailbox every month has been realized.

Now, many think this is too good to be true. I know I did. But "Lil Man" is living proof. He received his first book, The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper about a week ago. And he LOVED it!

I can't begin to thank Dolly Parton enough for this beautiful thing she is doing for children. She has an amazing heart.

To get involved, and sign your child up for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, visit ImaginationLibrary.com