Author Spotlight: David Shannon

I'll bet you've read his books, even if you think you've never heard of him. With classics like No, David and Duck Rides a Bike, he is sure to become a picture book standard.  What I think I like best about him is his wide range of topics and illustration styles.  The David series is wonderful with its predictable, simple text and bright illustrations.  Any child who has ever been told no will love these books.

His books target anywhere from toddlers to school agers.  Check him out next time you go to the library or book store!  I promise your child won't tire of any of his books (even if you do!)

Ages 1-3
David Smells

Oh David
No David
Good Boy Fergus!

Ages 2-5
Duck on a Bike

Ages 4 and up
How I Became a Pirate
Pirate Don't Change Diapers
Alice the Fairy
A Bad Case of the Stripes

A favorite of mine is called Rough Faced Girl.  It's based on a Native American legend that has hints of the gospel.  Check it out!

Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Fourth of July everyone! Let's take a moment today to talk to our kids about why we celebrate this holiday. Sure, the fireworks and hot dogs are great, but if you're looking to get a little more out of the holiday, check out these neat ideas.

Talk about citizenship with your child. Being a good citizen for a preschooler can mean:

obeying the law,

picking up trash in your community,

helping the family with the chores,

respecting other people, regardless of how they look, act, or believe

and knowing what symbols and ideas represent our country.

Read some books about America and talk about them as you go. Below are a list of good ones you can get from the library.

America the Beautiful by Jane Yolen

Happy Birthday America! by Martha Wilson Chall

Clifford's Good Deeds by Norman Bridwell

F is for Flag by Wendy Cheyetter Lewison

Meet Our Flag, Old Glory by April Jones Prince

America the Beautiful: A Pop-Up Book by Katharine Lee Bates

Be a democracy for a day. Kids can vote on what to cook for dinner, what TV show to watch, or what board game to play. As kids get older, th

is can become a more regular part of your famili

es activities. (Of course, mom and dad get veto power.)

Pray together for the leaders of this country, as well as the soldiers at home and abroad.

Fireworks Art:

materials needed

cups of blue and red paint

straw

construction paper

water

newspaper or large cookie sheet with edges.

glitter (optional)

Cover your workspace with newspaper or have your child do their painting inside a cookie sheet with raised edges.

Add a little water to your paint to make it thinner.

Put small blobs of paint on the paper.

Let kids blow through a straw to move the paint around to make fireworks. Tell them to experiment-blow gently at first, then try fast bursts.

If you don't mind getting a little messy, let kids add different color glitter to the wet paint for extra sparkle!

Author Spotlight: Mo Willems

Mo Willems quite possibly writes the most hilarious picture books for children today. Some of my favorites are the Pigeon series and Knuffle Bunny.

Pigeon is a cheeky character that all children and parents can relate to ("I want a puppy!"). Start with Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. Your kiddo will love telling the pigeon NO!

Knuffle Bunny is the story of a a little girl too young to speak who leaves her "Knuffle Bunny" at the laundromat. The efforts she takes to communicate this tragedy to her father and the search that ensues will entertain both you and your child. The illustrations are a combination of real life photography set in New York City and cartoon, giving the book a unique feel.