As children’s first and most important teachers, families have a major role to play in motivating children to read during the summer months.
Author: TCBR Contributor
TCBR Contributor
The Children’s Book Review, named one of the ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) Great Web Sites for Kids, is a resource devoted to children’s literacy. We publish reviews and book lists of the best books for kids of all ages. We also produce author and illustrator interviews and share literacy based articles that help parents, grandparents, teachers and librarians to grow readers. This article was written and provided by one of TCBR's regular contributors.
By Reading Is Fundamental Published: July 1, 2009 Something is waiting for many children this summer, and their parents don’t even know it’s out there. It’s called the “summer slide,” and it describes what happens when young minds sit idle for three months. As parents approach the summer break, many are thinking about the family vacation, trips to the pool, how to keep children engaged in activities at home, the abrupt changes to everyone’s schedule—and how to juggle it all. What they might not be focusing on is how much educational ground their children could lose during the…
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review Published: July 1, 2009 Adventure, mystery, magic, camaraderie, and a serious dose of baseball is what you’ll get from the Sluggers series. It holds all the right ingredients to satisfy even the biggest baseball fans, including collectible baseball cards. With a whip of the willow (a swing of the bat) Loren Long and Phil Bildner have combined their talents of illustrations and writing to create a “screamer” of a series. A fantastic family read — a definite four-bagger! Magic in the Outfield by Loren Long (Author & Illustrator), Phil Bildner (Author) Reading level:…
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review Published: June 30, 2009 My favorite children’s literacy organization, Reading is Fundamental (RIF), is closing one door and opening another. Their Read with Kids Challenge, which finishes today, smashed the goal of 5 million minutes of reading time with kids by over double. What an awesome achievement! Now, a new campaign is on the horizon — tomorrow’s horizon. Book A Brighter Future runs from July 1 through August 31, where Macy’s customers can give $3 and receive a coupon for $10 off a $50 in-store purchase at any Macy’s nationwide. Macy’s will be…
Just in case you have a youngster who is a little timid when it comes to splashing around and getting their face wet, here are three books that feature lovable characters who all work at overcoming their fear of swimming.
The Children’s Book Review | June 25, 2009 With July 4th approaching very quickly, a lot of people are thinking about fireworks, parades, barbecues and baseball. I have selected a variation of books that commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and the essence of this patriotic federal holiday. So before heading out with your kids to eat those yummy barbequed baked beans and watch those razzle-dazzle fireworks at your 4th of July celebration, do a little reading of one of these books and capture the true spirit of the day. The Journey of the One and Only Declaration of Independence…
By Toni Buzzeo Published: June 24, 2009 Blog Tour, Day 3: Toni Buzzeo explores historical fiction and its influence on her writing. As a writer for children, I love to explore historical fiction topics. But when I was a child, history was not the playground that it is for me now. Little wonder. The single fact I remember from my high school World History class is Fyodor Dostoevsky’s middle name: Mikhailovich. Had I but known the answer to that bonus question on the first quarter exam, I’d have passed the test—as my dear friend Mary Benson did. But tell me,…
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review Published: June 23, 2009 This is a great video from the Just one More Book! team’s Rock Stars of Reading tour. The following authors and illustrators offer advice for aspiring readers: Jeanne Birdsall, Diane de Groat, Tony DiTerlizzi, Jane Dyer, Paul Jacobs, Norton Juster, Jarrett Krosoczka, Jeff Mack, David Mazor, David Milgrim, Barry Moser, Lesléa Newman, Shelley Rotner, Ruth Sanderson, Heidi Stemple, Mo Willems and Jane Yolen. You can find out more about the Rock Stars of Reading tour here: http://www.justonemorebook.com
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review Published: June 22, 2009 Are You A Horse? by Andy Rash Reading level: Ages 4-8 Hardcover: 32 pages Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books (March 1, 2009) What to expect: Animals, Horse, Comedy, Birthday party Andy Rash’s Are You A Horse? is a very witty original, yet, perfectly reminiscent of the classic book by Dr. Suess’ protegé P.D. Eastman, Are You My Mother?. Roy receives a saddle for his birthday and we discover that he does not know what it is for. In fact, he doesn’t even know what a horse is! So the…
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review Published: June 21, 2009 When Papa Comes Home Tonight by Eileen Spinelli (Author) and David McPhail (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 1- 5 Hardcover: 32 pages Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing (April 28, 2009) What to expect: Father and child, Rhyme, Bedtime The smooth rhyming narration which tells the story of a papa’s promises to his child, make this the perfect gift for any dad. So, no surprises that this review falls on Father’s Day! When Papa Comes Home Tonight is Eileen Spinelli’s beautiful sequel to When Mama Comes Home Tonight. Having a…