Thursday, March 26, 2009

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Spring is finally starting to make its presence known - maybe just a little bit for those of us still under the threat of snowfall.  However, if you've got spring fever, you're probably grasping onto every sign of spring that you can uncover - a crocus bud, an earthworm, birds greeting you in the morning.  Below is a selection of books about gardening, planting, and growing.  Maybe you can use these stories as another sign of spring.  And don't forget to check and see if you can get them from your local library!


Flower Garden by Eve Bunting
Working with her father, a young gardener gathers a garden to plant in a window box for a surprise for her mother.  Illustrations are beautiful oil paintings. (Ages 3-6)
(Full bibliographic info: Bunting, Eve. Flower Garden. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1994.)

Jack's Garden by Henry Cole
Instead of a house, Jack is building a garden this time - preparing the soil, planting the seeds, enjoying the garden.  The detailed illustrations provide a lot of chat about in this story and the author also provides some gardening suggestions.  (Ages 3-6)
(Full bibliographic info: Cole, Henry. Jack's Garden. Greenwillow Books, 1995.)

Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney
Alice Rumphius has fulfilled all of the promises for her future from traveling the world and having adventures and now she needs to fulfill the one last promise to her grandfather - the leave the world more beautiful.  She scatters lupine seeds by the sea and watches as through seasons, they are spread on the wind.  (Ages 4-9)

(Full bibliographic info: Cooney, Barbara. Miss Rumphius. Viking, 1982.)

Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert
"Every year, Mom and I plant a rainbow."  Filled with vibrant color and bold images of flowers, this garden is a wonderful vision to share.  (Ages 3-7)

(Full bibliographic info: Ehlert, Lois. Planting a Rainbow. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1988.)

Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! by Candace Fleming
Mr. McGreely has been planning and planting his vegetable garden filled with carrots and tomatoes, but he has a battle.  The bunnies.  Those sneaky bunnies who can spring and hurdle and dash-dash-dash.  How does Mr. McGreely save his garden?  (Ages 4-9)
(Full bibliographic info: Fleming, Candace. Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2002.)


Bumpety Bump by Pat Hutchins
A young boy and his grandfather harvest a garden filled with veggies and fruits using a wheelbarrow that goes bumpety bump.  (Ages 2-5)

(Full bibliographic info: Hutchins, Pat. Bumpety Bump. Greenwillow Books, 2006.)

The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss
A classic from 1945 and never out of print, The Carrot Seed celebrated its 60th anniversary addition in 2005.  Illustrated by her husband and written with great care by Ruth Krauss, this story tells of a boy who plants a seed.  And even though his family has told him to give, he never does and he harvests a wondrous carrot, just as he knew he would.  (Ages 2-7)

(Full bibliographic info: Krauss, Ruth. The Carrot Seed. Harper Collins, 1945.)

The Gardener by Sarah Stewart
Set in the depression era, Lydia Grace Finch leaves home to live in the city with her uncle to ease the financial burden of her family.  Through correspondence with her family, we are shown how Lydia works to transform the apartment and roof top into a beautiful garden.  The wonderful illustrations earned this book a Caldecott Honor.  (Ages 5-9)

(Full bibliographic info: Stewart, Sarah. The Gardener. Farrar Straus Giroux, 1997.)

To Be Like the Sun by Susan Marie Swanson
Join a little girl on her journey to understand the wonder of the sunflower seed to flower and back again.  Awesome illustrations.  (Ages 3-7)

(Full bibliographic info: Swanson, Susan Marie. To Be Like the Sun. Harcourt, 2008.)

Zinnia's Flower Garden by Monica Wellington
Zinnia plants a flower garden - it's a simple and bright account of preparing the soil, planting in rows, watering and waiting for sprouts.  (Ages 2-5)

(Full bibliographic info: Wellington, Monica.  Zinnia's Flower Garden. Dutton Children's Books, 2005.)
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Monday, March 23, 2009

Resource Spotlight: Zero to Three

Zero to Three is a non-profit national organization whose mission is to promote the development and health of infants toddlers. Recognizing that the first years of life have a significant impact on every child's ability to grow and develop to their own fullest potential, Zero to Three provides resources for parents, professionals and policymakers.
For Parents, Teachers, and Caregivers
On the Parenting Resources home page, you will find the opportunity to create an account so that Zero to Three can stay in touch with you as well as drop down menu to find information quickly. Topics include Brain Development, Child Development, Child Care, Health and Nutrition, Play, and Social Emotional Development. They also have a parenting handouts page which might be helpful to share with friends, playgroups - anyone who works with young children.
In regards to early literacy, Zero to Three also provides a section on Early Language & Literacy.
The resources here include articles, audio resources, frequently asked questions, and interactives about dual language development, school readiness, promoting literacy from birth, choosing books, sharing books, storytelling and more. A wide array and excellent source of resources to explore.
Spend some time exploring the site. The information is straight forward and the site is easy to navigate. Make it a bookmark so you can reference it easily and share with all of those you know who spend time with and work with young children.
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Friday, March 20, 2009

Friendship - Plain and Simple

Young children are exploring social relationships starting at a very young age and are beginning to learn that there are people apart from themselves.  Some of the themes that books about friendship can help young children explore include celebrating uniqueness and individuality, learning to trust true friends, building lasting relationships and treating friends with respect and kindness.  The books below are about friendship - plain and simple.  Check them out from your local library and curl up with your favorite young friend.  Or even consider one of these friendship books for a friend's birthday gift!

A Splendid Friend, Indeed by Suzanne Bloom
Bear wants to read, but his friend Goose is interrupting and trying to get Bear's attention.  Although this bothers Bear, their true friendship shines through in the end.  (Ages 2-5)

(Full bibliographic info: Bloom, Suzanne. A Splendid Friend, Indeed. Mills Press, 2005.)

Help!: A Story of Friendship by Holly Keller
Mouse is stuck down a hole and none of his friends can help get him out.  He is scared to ask his friend snake for help because he heard a rumor that snakes eat mice.  After snake gently eases mouse from the hole in a non-threatening way, mouse realizes his true friendship with snake.  The illustrations are an unusual medium called collographs.  (Ages 4-9)

(Full bibliographic info: Keller, Holly. Help!: A Story of Friendship. Greenwillow Books, 2007.)

Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
"How can we be so different and feel so much alike...and how can we feel so different and be so much alike?"  These questions are the heart of the story of Stellaluna, a baby fruit bat who becomes separated from her mother and grows up in a bird's nest.  A touching story of lasting friendship and understanding differences.  (Ages 3-8)

(Full bibliographic info: Cannon, Janell. Stellaluna. Harcourt, Brace Jovanovich, 1993.)

A Dinosaur Called Tiny by Alan Durant
Tiny, a small dinosaur has trouble fitting in and finding his place among all the large dinosaurs.  He finds a small friend and in the end his tiny size saves one of the large guys.  A story of being true to who you are and finding the gifts you have to give.  (Ages 4-9)

(Full bibliographic info: Durant, Alan. A Dinosaur Called Tiny. Harper Collins Children's Books, 2007.)

Thank You Bear by Greg Foley
Bear has found a box and thinks it will be the perfect gift for his friend, mouse.  However some other animals along the way cause Bear to doubt and question his gift.  In the end, his friendship with mouse and having given the perfect gift bring Bear back to his sense of joy.  The simple pictures and text allow this a story of friendship for very young readers. (Ages 2-5)

(Full bibliographic information: Foley, Greg. Thank You Bear. Viking, 2007.)

Corduroy by Don Freeman
This is the classic children's story of friendship.  Corduroy, a toy bear in the department story, is missing his button and so even though he isn't perfect, Lisa brings him to her home to sew him a new button and to become his friend.  (Ages 3-6)

(Full bibliographic info: Freeman, Don. Corduroy. Viking, 1968.)

Little Quack's New Friend by Lauren Thompson
Little Quack's brothers and sisters don't want to play with Little Quack's new friend, Little Ribbit because he's a frog and he's different from them.  Then they learn that they have more in common than they originally thought and join in the fun to make a new friend.  (Ages 2-5)

(Full bibliographic info: Thompson, Lauren. Little Quack's New Friend. Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2006.)

Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity by Mo Willems
Trixie is older and more verbal than she was in her debut story, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale.  She is on her way to preschool to bring her one and only Knuffle Bunny only to discover that Knuffle Bunny is not so one and only.  After switching bunnies with Sonja by mistake, a middle of the night exchange must take place which solidly cements the girls' friendship.  Continuing the format from the first Knuffle Bunny, Mo Willems brings more of the great illustrations of cartoon-like characters imposed on actual photos.  (Ages 2-5)

(Full bibliographic info: Willems, Mo. Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity. Hyperion, 2007.)

Bear's New Friend by Karma Wilson
Bear senses that someone new is hiding and he keeps asking, "Who?".  But it isn't mouse or hare or raven or badger or any of the old gang.  Who will their new friend be?  (Ages 2-5)

(Full bibliographic info: Wilson, Karma. Bear's New Friend. Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2006.)

How Do Dinosaurs Play with their Friends? by Jane Yolen
A part of Jane Yolen's How Do Dinosaurs... series, this title investigates all the things that dinosaurs wouldn't do while playing with friends and then celebrates the things that dinosaurs would do.  This title comes in board book format for the youngest readers.  (Ages 2-5)

(Full bibliographic info: Yolen, Jane. How Do Dinosaurs Play with their Friends? Blue Sky Press, 2006.)
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Monday, March 16, 2009

Celebrate Youth Art Month in March

Did you know that March is National Youth Art Month?  This is an opportunity to celebrate and promote the education of art for our young children.  The Council for Art Education is the sponsor for Youth Art Month  and their website includes some additional information.  To enhance your celebration, please find below an assortment of picture books associated with the art world.  There are many, many books available, so ask your local librarian for additional titles and authors.  And while you're at it, grab some paint and brushes and create some wonderful, lasting art with your little ones!


Leonardo and the Flying Boy: a Story about Leonardo DaVinci by Laurence Anholt
This title is from the Anholt's Artists Books for Children Series which also includes these titles and more: DeGas and the Little Dancer, Picasso and the Girl with the Ponytail, Camille and the Sunflowers, Matisse the King of Colors and The Magical Garden of Claude Monet. (Ages 4-8)

(Full bibliographic information: Anholt, Laurence. Leonardo and the Flying Boy: a Story about Leonardo DaVinci. Barron's, 2002.)

Linnea in Monet's Garden by Christina Bjork
Linnea travels to Giverny, France to visit the home and gardens to learn more about Monet's life.  (Ages 4+)

(Full bibliographic information: Bjork, Christina. Linnea in Monet's Garden. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1987.)



The Shape Game by Anthony Browne
A family's visit to Tate Britain Gallery in London brings the perspective of art to life.  (Ages 4-9)

(Full bibliographic information: Browne, Anthony.  The Shape Game.  Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2003.)

Baby Loves by William Lach
From the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Baby Loves features full page reproductions of works by Mary Cassatt showing mothers and babies.  An appendix includes information about each piece.  (Ages 2-5)

(Full bibliographic information: Lach, William.  Baby Loves. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2002.)

A Bird or Two: a Story about Henri Matisse by Bijou Le Tord
A biographical story about Henri Matisse, Le Tord's illustrations are in the manner of Matisse's style.  (Ages 4-9)

(Full bibliographic information: Le Tord, Bijou. A Bird or Two: a Story about Henri Matisse.  Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 1999.)

Katie and the Mona Lisa by James Mayhew
While her grandmother dozes at the museum, Katie has an adventure within the Mona Lisa painting meeting many famous characters in art.  Also from this author: Katie and the Sunflowers, Katie's Picture Show and Katie's Sunday Afternoon.  (Ages 4-9)

(Full bibliographic information: Mayhew, James. Katie and the Mona Lisa.  Orchard Books, 1999.)


I Spy Shapes in Art by Lucy Micklethwait
I Spy Shapes in Art invites the young reader to explore 14 pieces of art from artists such as Warhol, Magritte, and Klee.  Additional information about each piece included.  Also by the author: I Spy Colors in Art, I Spy: an Alphabet in Art, and I Spy Two Eyes: Numbers in Art.  (Ages 2-5)

(Full bibliographic information: Micklethwait, Lucy. I Spy Shapes in Art. Greenwillow Books, 2004.)


 Museum ABC by The New York Metropolitan Museum of Art
Each letter of the alphabet is represented in four works of art which can be found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  An appendix with detailed information for each piece is included.  Also in this series are Museum Shapes and Museum 123. (Ages 2-5)

(Full bibliographic information: Metropolitan Museum of Art. Museum ABC. Time Warner, 2003.)


Can You Find it Outside? by Jessica Shulte
This book from the Metropolitan Museum of Art is presented in a simple hide and seek format.  Can You Find it Inside? is the complementary companion.  (Ages 5-9)

(Full bibliographic information: Shulte, Jessica. Can You Find it Outside? H.N. Abrams, 2005.)

Vincent's Colors by Vincent Van Gogh
Using text from letters from Vincent Van Gogh to his brother, Theo, this book illustrates many of Van Gogh's famous pieces.  Full citations for each painting are included. (Ages 5-9)

(Full bibliographic information: Van Gogh, Vincent. Vincent's Colors. Chronicle Books, 2005.)
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Thursday, March 12, 2009

And Yes, You Can Be a Puppeteer!

Working with puppets is a wonderful way to engage young children in reading and play whether you are a parent, a caregiver, a teacher or a librarian.  Young children find puppets mesmerizing and will often sit spellbound while the puppets work their magic.  Puppets are also a good way to interact with a child who might otherwise be too shy to talk to you - they sometimes find puppets less intimidating.   

To add puppets into your literacy and play, think about having the puppet interact with you at the beginning or end or a story/circle time by singing a song or greeting the children.  Or think about having a puppet read a story to your child or act out the story.  Or just bring puppets into a casual play time to talk to with your children.  

Sounds easy, right?  However your next question might be - but exactly how do I do this?  How do I physically move the puppet and make this experience fun for all of us?  I don't know what I'm doing and I don't know how to start.  Here to help answer some of these questions is our resident expert, Donna Mihovilovich, a professional puppeteer who is currently working at the Elk Grove Village Public Library here in Illinois.  Donna has provided advice and tips to help get you started, so grab a puppet and jump right in!  (And if you don't have any puppets, as Donna mentions below, check with your local library to see if they loan their puppets to patrons.)  Thank you, Donna!

My name is Donna Mihovilovich, but I am known as “Mrs. M.” here at the Elk Grove Village Public Library (Elk Grove Village, IL). I was a professional puppeteer for several years, but currently conduct “Ready to Read” classes and story times. I use puppets a lot in my classes. I also do puppetry workshops for librarians and teachers and am about to begin writing a book on puppetry. Its working title is “Hybrid Puppets".


When I was trained as a puppeteer, the man training me sternly said, “Puppetry is more than just putting a puppet on your hand and waving it around!” I know I have repeated that statement in workshops, but I will tell you if you are just starting out, and that is all you can do, just put the puppet on your hand and wave it around!”


After you are comfortable and want to begin to work on your puppetry technique, I will first suggest you work on your puppet’s posture. It is very easy to let the puppet’s head drift, looking up or down. The puppet should be looking at the audience. Bear in mind, your audience might be sitting on the floor, so you would have your puppet focused down. If you are using a hand puppet with your hand opening its mouth, a good rule of thumb is to check where your fingers “point.” They should be pointing at the audience.


The puppet can simply say hello or goodbye to the children, talk to them, etc. If the puppeteer is not behind a stage, but simply behind the puppet, the puppeteer can join in the conversation, or not, but the puppeteer should always be looking at the puppet when the puppet is talking. When the puppeteer is talking to the audience and the puppet is listening, the puppeteer should look at the audience, and the puppet should be looking at the puppeteer. This helps the child focus on the magic of the puppet.


This is the same technique when two puppets are going to speak. When two puppets are about to have a conversation, the puppets are first looking at each other. But when one puppet begins to speak, it then turns to face the audience. As it finishes speaking the last word or two, it resumes looking at the other puppet. The listening puppet does not look at the audience, but at the speaking puppet.


If a child says, “Hey, the puppet isn’t real! I see your hand in the puppet! “ simply have the puppet say proudly, “Yes, I am a real puppet!”


And of course, the best place to get puppets is to check them out from your local library!


photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lindsayshaver/3326808458/
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