A Kid’s Book for Every Day in September

Big Universe has added a broad range of new books to its online library recently – thanks to publishing partners attuned to children’s vast interests and the wish lists of teachers. I have marveled at this website’s diverse inventory and decided to put it to the test.

“I wonder if I can find a book to coincide with each day in September?” I mused. “…Something to coincide with the holidays, historical anniversaries and other special observations from Sept. 1-30?”

Here’s what I found!

Sept. 1 – This day is set aside to remember the iconic verses of “Mary’s Lamb” – now referred to as “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” According to Rita Smith, the curator of the University of Florida’s Baldwin Collection of Children’s Literature, the poem was written by Sarah Josepha Hale and published in the September 1830 issue of a periodical titled “The Juvenile Miscellany.” Try these wooly tales to celebrate the anniversary: “Sheep,” “The Ultimate Mother Goose Collection,” (Twin Sisters) “Lambs” (Bellwether) or “Bad Day at Arnold’s Sheep Ranch” (Remedia).

Sept. 2 – The Great Fire of London started on this day in 1666. Prior to modern day safety practices, many other cities around the world experienced similar fires. Read “The Fire Department” or “Surviving the Great Chicago Fire” (Rourke) – depending on the age and maturity of the reader.

Sept. 3 – It’s the 350th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Society, an international network of top scientists, engineers and medical professionals who “exist to expand knowledge (and) support science.” Read “The Nervous System,” (Bellwether) “In Arctic Waters” (Sylvan Dell) or anything else in Big Universe’s math or science sections.

Sept. 4 – On this day in 1893, English author Beatrix Potter first told “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” as a “picture letter” to the son of her former governess. Almost 120 years later, the classic is read all over the world in many languages. Big Universe has the book among its audible “Read Alouds.” This version is recited in Mandarin Chinese! Potter’s “The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin,” however, is recited in English. (MightyBook)

Sept. 5 – The Salmon Festival is being held in historic Eastport, Maine. Read “The Life Cycle of a Salmon.” (Bellwether)

Sept. 6 – Today is Labor Day, a federal holiday. Read “Workers” (Teacher Created Materials) or other books about people in the work force, such as “Test Pilot” or “Forest Firefighter.” (Weekly Reader)

Sept. 7 – Today is the third annual National Clean Energy Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada. To learn more about eco-friendly power and caring for the earth, read “Going Green.” (Rourke)

Sept. 8 – International Literacy Day is celebrated worldwide on Sept. 8. Founded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), this observance was initiated to highlight the necessity of improving literacy on a global basis. Read “ABC Safari” (Sylvan Dell) or any other book on Big Universe.

Sept. 9 – This date marks singing legend Elvis Presley’s first appearance on the “Ed Sullivan Show” in 1956. Read the graphic-style book “Elvis Presley Graphic Biography” to learn more about this music celebrity. (Saddleback)

Sept. 10 – Charlotte, N.C., is holding its annual Literary Festival this weekend. Join the observation by reading “The War of the Worlds (Illustrated Classic),” “Macbeth,” “Hamlet (Illustrated Classic),” or “Julius Caesar.” (Saddleback)

Sept. 11 – It’s Raptor Weekend at the Environmental Education Center in Bristol, R.I., featuring live flight presentations and other educational activities. To learn more about birds of prey, read “Eaglets” (Bellwether), “Eagles,” “Hawks,” “Kites” or “Owls.” (Rourke)

Sept. 12 – Grandparents Day is celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day. “How Far to Heaven” (Illumination Arts) is a beautiful love story between a grandmother and her grandchild, and the illustrations and words in “Grandma’s Feather Bed” (Dawn Publications) will make you smile.

Sept. 13 – Chiang Kai-Shek became the president of China on this day in 1943. To read more about this large, fascinating and complex country, read “China” (Bellwether) and another book also titled “China” published by Teacher Created Materials.

Sept. 14 – On this day in 1984, Joseph Kittinger set off on a record-making trip from Caribou, Maine, in the cabin of a helium balloon. Four days later he landed in Italy, becoming the first man to fly solo across the Atlantic in a balloon. To learn more about hot air balloons, read “Hot Air Ballooning.” (Rourke)

Sept. 15 – The United Nations has designated Sept. 15 at the International Day of Democracy. Read “Why are Elections Important?” (Weekly Reader)

Sept. 16 – To observe Collect Rocks Day, consider reading “Julie the Rockhound” (Sylvan Dell) or “Rocks, Minerals and Soil.” (Rourke)

Sept. 17 – It’s Constitution Day. Read “What is a Constitution?” (Weekly Reader)

Sept. 18 – This year, Oktoberfest begins on Sept. 18 in Germany, and festivities will continue until Oct. 3. Learn more about Germany in Bellwether’s book “Germany.”

Sept. 19 – Aye, mate! It’s International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Read the funny story “Lucky the Pirate” (Remedia), or go to the Big Universe blog titled “Ahoy! Pirate Books for Boys (and Girls).”

Sept. 20 – It’s been 37 years since Wimbledon champion Billie Jean King, 25, defeated 55-year-old Bobby Riggs – also a Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion – in an exhibition tennis match in Houston, Texas, demonstrating women’s ability to play high-caliber tennis – even against a man (and win). Young fans of this sport may like to read “Tennis.” (Bellwether)

Sept. 21 – What better way to celebrate International Peace Day than reading books about children, homes and places around the globe. Try “We Share One World” (Illumination Arts), “Kids Around the World,” “Homes Around the World” and “Places Around the World.” (Teacher Created Materials)

Sept. 22 – Today is Elephant Appreciation Day. Read “Critters Up Close – Elephants” (Zoobooks) or “The First Elephant,” an animated story by author and Big Universe member Rick Walton.

Sept. 23– German astronomer Johann Golle discovered Neptune in 1846. Read about this planet in the book “Neptune” (Bellwether) or “Going Around the Sun: Some Planetary Fun.” (Dawn Publications)

Sept. 24 – Native American Day is a celebration to honor the first Americans. Read the treasure of information in “Rourke’s Native American History and Culture Encyclopedia, Volume 1-10,” including Native American legends in the back of each book. They are an outstanding resource for reports.

Sept. 25 – The Library of Congress is sponsoring today’s National Book Festival on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., a celebration of “the joy of reading.” Read “ABC Letters in the Library” (Lobster Press) or any other book you please!

Sept. 26: The fourth Saturday in September is International Rabbit Day. Read “Rabbits,” “Bunnies,”  “Caring for Your Rabbit,” (Bellwether) or “My Little Rabbit.” (Mathew Price)

Sept. 27 – On Sept. 27, 1862, in Greytown, South Africa, a little boy named Louis Botha was born. He grew up to become the first prime minister of South Africa, 1910-1919. While Big Universe does not have a specific book about Botha or South Africa, its non-fictions “Mansa Musa, Leader of Mali” and “Sub-Saharan Africa” (Teacher Created Materials) paint some historical background for those exploring the great continent of Africa.

Sept. 28 – It’s National Good Neighbor Day. Whether your neighbor is across a fence or sitting at the desk next to you, thoughtfulness and being kind are important facets of social interaction. Read “One Smile” (Illumination Arts) by author Cindy McKinley and illustrator Mary Gregg Byrne. This book has been read more than 3,500 times on BigUniverse.com and rates 5 out of 5 stars!

Sept. 29 – It’s Confucius Day, and you can read about this Chinese philosopher in a book titled “Confucius, Chinese Philosopher” by Wendy Conklin, M.A., and Gisela Lee, M.A. (Teacher Created Materials)

Sept. 30 – National Mudpack Day is an obscure observance with little traceable history. So, pardon my artistic license when I suggest you read a few books about pigs instead of packing on the facial goo! “Piggies in the Pumpkin Patch” (Charlesbridge) is a new addition to Big Universe’s shelves. Or read “When Pigs Fly” (Lobster Press) or “Piglets” by Colleen Sexton. (Bellwether)

That wraps it up. Have a wonderful month sharing the joy of reading. There’s something for everyone.

The ABCs of Car Games: Part Two

In my last blog, I talked about summer vacation, traveling in a car and how important it is to prepare carefully when carrying young passengers. If you are going to confine small people in small spaces for hours on end, it’s best to have a plan. “Prepare or perish” were my exact words.

Car games are a good way to pass the time on a long trip, along with a pile of books, a new toy and some snacks. Car games are literacy builders, too – whether players look for letters on billboards, build an expanding story based on the ABCs and memory skills, or sing silly songs with changing sounds.

I shared a new but simple game called “Horse on Wheels” in my previous blog. Here are three more games to foster communication, build literacy skills and boost family bonding while putting some mileage on your car.

The Great Race from A to Z

Have your children look for each letter in the alphabet, using billboards and signs on businesses. See how many times they can get through the alphabet before getting to Aunt Carolyn’s house. Or, use a stopwatch to time the race from A to Z. It can be a group effort or kids can compete, depending on the squabble factor. Add a notebook and pencil to the equation if your children need practice with penmanship.

Sack on My Back

This is a memory game and tongue twister all packed into one! Each player takes a turn reciting the game prompt: “In a sack on my back, I think I’ll pack…” He or she adds a noun each time, starting with A, then B, and so on. Each player will need to listen closely, so he doesn’t leave anything off the list. “In a sack on my back, I think I’ll pack an apple, a basketball, a camera and my dachshund.”

Name Game

This rhyming car game takes some practice, but the kids love it. I never quite mastered it, but children have a special knack to pick up on the playful sound switcheroos, especially when names are involved. You can play it with other words, too. Learn one line; then add another. Here are several examples:

Darby, Darby, Bo-barby

Banana, Fanna, Fo-farby

Fee, Fie, Mo-marby

Daaar-by!

—-

Tom, Tom, Bo-bom

Banana, Fanna, Fo-fom

Fee, Fie, Mo-mom

Tooo-ooom!

—-

Maddie, Maddie, Bo-baddie

Banana, Fanna, Fo-faddie

Fee, Fie, Mo-maddie

Maaad-die!

—-

Dave, Dave, Bo-bave

Banana, Fanna, Fo-fave

Fee, Fie, Mo-mave

Daaa-ve!

(Clue: Note the rhyming pattern. Pick a name. Say it twice, then drop the first letter of the name and substitute the silly consonants and sounds.)

SEE MORE CAR GAME IDEAS IN MY NEXT BLOG (3^rd in a series)!

*** If you are taking a laptop with you on your trip and have a 3G Internet card or have Internet hookup at your vacation lodging, Big Universe provides a portable library for children at your fingertips. With thousands of beautiful picture books available 24/7, there is no reason for your kids to experience “summer setback” in reading. Maintain or even improve their literacy skills with a wide assortment of fiction and non-fiction stories.

The ABCs of Car Games: Part One

Oprah Winfrey said, “My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.”

I’ve always been an optimist, so I appreciate her sentiment. I try to look at the bright side of things and make the best of less than ideal situations – even imprisonment in a smallish vehicle with three other people.

 …That’s 70 cubic feet of space, divided by four – not counting the luggage, the snacks and the pillows. But, I suppose if Oprah and her best friend, Gayle King, can go cross country for 11 days in a little Chevy Impala, I can survive for five in an SUV. 

 Road trips. They can be viewed as either adventures or a stress-packed short cut to Purgatory – especially if children are involved. If vacations involve a lot of driving, parents MUST be prepared. Prepare or perish, I say!

A captive audience

Some of my girls’ fondest memories are of the vacations we took when they were little. It wasn’t necessarily the destination that thrilled them either. I worked hard to make the drive time fun…and educational…to make the most of a potentially difficult situation. I figured I had a captive audience and took advantage of the opportunity.

If you set your children up for a successful road trip, 99 percent of the time, that’s what you’ll get. Plan well, prepare your children, have a positive attitude…and pray like crazy. That was my formula. I desired happy children…but, I also wanted to avoid a nasty case of vehicular momicide.

 We listened to books on tape, and we played word games. (See car game at end of this article…and more in the next blog!) We sang and we TALKED about what we saw out the windows.

Building Blocks for Literacy

A language-rich environment like this helps children develop their vocabulary and their ability to communicate. They learn how to express their observations and opinions, to ask questions, and to listen – all building blocks for literacy. And, if parents engage fully, they can get to know the hearts of their children.

 One for You, and One for Me

Of course, what’s a car trip without snacks? I packed healthful treats in Ziplocs, but crossing state borders was something to really celebrate! One Gummi Worm for North Carolina. Two for Virginia. Three for West Virginia, and, well, when you hit Pennsylvania, you hit the Mother Lode!

What’s in the Bag?

There were always a few brown bags marked “Top Secret,” too. When we reached certain landmarks and IF the children behaved properly, they each got a bag with her name on it. Sometimes it contained a coloring book or puzzle booklet. Other times it had a 50-cent bracelet, a miniature dolly, a little book or a couple of plastic animals. (Note: Don’t forget something for the return voyage!)

NEVER, No Never Ever…

And, of course, we NEVER embarked on a long excursion without a fresh supply of books from the library. We wedged a laundry basket between the girls’ booster seats, which gave them easy access to a heap of books. We left a list of the library books taped to the refrigerator at home with their due dates to make their return easier and to minimize late fees. Our library was good about printing a list for us. 

Now with mobile 3G Internet cards becoming more common, network access on the road is possible. That means websites like BigUniverse.com and all its beautiful children’s picture books can go on vacation with you. Can’t get much better than that!

To help get all you road warriors ready for this summer’s trips, I have compiled a checklist to make your preparations kid-friendly.

How to Survive a Road Trip with Kids

1. Pack comfort items. Pillows, teddy and a favorite blanket.
2. Buy or borrow books on tape/CD. Great for when it gets dark.
3. Bring drinks in spill-proof containers. Pack individual snacks. Dry nibbles are best. There will be crumbs, so choose things that can be vacuumed up.
4. Don’t forget hand wipes to clean sticky faces and grimy hands.
5. Buy or borrow a fresh collection of age-appropriate books to fight boredom and make the trip go faster. Have older siblings read to their younger brothers and sisters. You’ll get twice the mileage from each book.
6. Pick out a few movies for the laptop or DVD player, but use sparingly. I suggest saving them for the return trip or for when it gets dark. Don’t forget headsets – unless you want to be humming kiddie songs for the next week.
7. Tuck Dramamine, ear patches or pressure-point bracelets in the glove compartment.
8. Pack a jump rope, Skip-It or football in the trunk to facilitate some quick exercise at rest stops. Antsy kids don’t make good passengers. Stop often.
9. Give each child their own flashlight. Just take my word on it. It’s a godsend, while en route and once you get to your destination. (Don’t forget a plug-in nightlight, too.)
10. . Place a few surprises in opaque gift bags: mini books, Matchbox cars, stickers, word search puzzles, sugarless gum, Polly Pocket dolls, tiny spiral notebooks and washable markers, mazes, string and string games booklet, etc.
11. . Prepare a list of car games and pack any necessary props. Many of them are good literacy builders, since they involve word and symbol recognition, playful rhymes, spelling, counting and writing.
12. . Add your own ideas to this list.

A Car Game for You

“Horse on Wheels” is a good car game for beginning readers. It involves observation, counting, spelling, writing and stickers. It can be competitive in nature or not. It’s a little like bingo and a little like the driveway basketball game “Horse” – only there is no hoop or basketball…or driveway for that matter! You do spell “h-o-r-s-e” though!

 It’s easy to play and only requires three simple components.

1. One sheet of stiff card stock, matte finish (no shine)
2. One child-safe washable marker or a pencil
3. One sheet of yard sale dot stickers (office supply aisle)

How to assemble: Take card stock and write the word “horse” in big bold letters across the top. Draw vertical lines from top to bottom between the letters. Draw horizontal lines to create squares big enough to fit a dot sticker in the middle. Add a few more horizontal lines to create rows of empty boxes big enough for a child to write the corresponding letter. (See graphic above.)

How to play: The child looks out the window until he or she spots a horse. For every horse, the child gets to add a sticker dot to the chart, placing it first under the letter “H,” then in the “O” column, and so on. After the sticker is in place, the child should write the letter below the sticker. The first child to write “horse” three times wins.

Note: We were driving through Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana, so it was easy to count horses. Not so easy if you are sticking to urban byways. If this is the case, mark the top of your sheet with a different word or phrase: dog, police car, taxi, bridge and so on.

–  SEE MORE CAR GAME IDEAS IN MY NEXT BLOG!

*** If you are taking a laptop with you on your trip and have a 3G Internet card or have Internet hookup at your vacation lodging, Big Universe provides a portable library for children at your fingertips. With thousands of beautiful picture books available 24/7, there is no reason for your kids to experience “summer setback” in reading. Maintain or even improve their literacy skills with a wide assortment of fiction and non-fiction stories.

Mother’s Day Books for Young and Old Alike

The Lamaze instructor said, “Bring Kleenex to the next class.” She smiled knowingly. The 10 women in her prenatal class looked at each other and at their spouses. “What did that mean?”

Sure enough, when the next session rolled around, everyone’s mascara was running down their cheeks by the end of class. Me included. My husband sat beside me, shifting uncomfortably at this turn of events. It wasn’t mass hysteria, but rather something akin to The Perfect Storm. Pregnancy hormones, a good book and impending motherhood!

“I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, As long as I’m living my baby you’ll be,” intoned the instructor as she read from the short story “Love You Forever” by Robert Munsch. She had her delivery down to an art form.

Lest I be considered a spoiler, I’ll refrain from giving away the simple plot. But no matter what your stage in life, this book is likely to pluck a tune on some heart strings.

Here are a few other picture books for kids and moms to celebrate the holiday on Sunday.

“A Mother’s Promise” by Lisa Humphrey is another perfect book for Mother’s Day. It’s gorgeous and reflects the hopes and dreams and emotions that wash over a new mom. The book’s narrator wants to give her child so much – the world, in fact! The illustrations by David Danioth are absolutely beautiful. The picture spreading across Pages 22-23 is particularly poignant. “A Mother’s Promise “ is one of many books by Illumination Arts that appears on the Big Universe children’s picture books website.

“I Love You the Purplest” by Barbara M. Joosse weaves a story about a mom who trims the thorns of sibling rivalry. (Chronicle Books)

“A Boy Had a Mother Who Bought Him a Hat” is a cumulative poem that gathers momentum as a boy’s mother buys him all sorts of things. Ages 4-7. (HarperCollins)

“Animal Mothers and Babies” is a nature book by Dona Herweck Rice for beginning readers, Level 1.4. (Teacher Created Materials Publishing)

“A Mother’s Journey” by Sandra Markle and illustrator Alan Marks is a fact-filled story about a mother Emperor penguin. It is suited for Grade 3. (Charlesbridge)

“Are You My Mother” by P.D. Eastman has been a favorite for 50 years. This Dr. Seuss-like book is just right for readers aged 3-7. (Random House)

“When Wishes Come True” by Per-Henrik Gürth is a warm tale of love, hope and reassurance in the Arctic. Good for preschoolers. (Lobster Press) 

“My Mother Is So Smart!” by Tomie dePaola salutes mothers in all walks of life. “My mother is so smart that she can stand on her head.” It’s ideal for ages 3-6. (Putnam)

 “A Pocket Full of Kisses” by Audrey Penn and illustrated by Barbara Leonard Gibson demonstrates the power of a mother’s love and wisdom. Interest age, 3-5. (Tanglewood Press)

Do you have any stories that you think should be added to this list? Let me know.

Early Literacy Skills: Do You See What I See?

High atop a hotel overlooking Atlanta’s cityscape, my toddler and I peered out the picture window in our room. We were staying overnight, so we could pick up my nephew/her cousin, Ryan, from the airport early the next morning.

“Wow. We’re up high, aren’t we?” I said.

“Yes, way up!” little Darby replied. 

“Do you see what I see?” I asked.

“Yes,” she said, tapping the glass with her chubby little finger.

I watched as yet another impressive jet took off into the skies over the busy international airport.

“What do you see?” I prompted again.

“I see an ‘M.” ‘M’ is for McDonald’s,” she crowed with delight.

While that was not the answer I was looking for, I soon located that all-too-familiar yellow beacon of enlightenment. Airplanes were not on the radar for my little redheaded 2½-year-old, but those golden arches certainly were. They signified French fries and catsup, friends and indoor playgrounds – where the slides were never too hot and fire ants were banned. (Outdoor playgrounds harbor some cruel foes in the South in the heat of summer.)

While Darby had not been impressed by the modern marvel of aeronautics, I was happy to realize she associated the letter “M” to something beyond the shape on her wooden puzzle at home. It was a sign that her reading readiness skills were moving along. Soon she recognized the letter “D.”  “D is for Darby,” “W is for window” and “B is for ball.”

We had labeled items in our house with big brightly lettered words on card stock for our 4-year-old, who was fascinated with words and reading. While our household décor was not the traditional picture of loveliness portrayed in “Southern Living” magazine, witnessing the blossoming of intellect, curiosity and love for language in my two daughters was truly beautiful.

Developing Early Literacy Skills

Name that Object. Developing a child’s vocabulary will assist him when he starts to learn to read. Talk to your children from the time they are newborns. “Look at the balloon.” “Here is your bottle.” “The dog is barking.” “See my buttons?” “Where is Mommy’s nose?”  Later, introduce the concepts of big and little, happy and sad and other vocabulary and concept-builders.

Ask and Do Tell. Talk to your children. Ask them questions. Ask them to describe what they have seen. Model conversation, using animated narrative words. And, please, please embrace the question “Why?” Kids may get fixated on this word, but it’s a natural tool to explore their exciting world. So, while it may wear on your last nerve when you are exhausted, see it for what it is. An opportunity! A teaching moment handed to you on a golden platter!

Joyful Reading. Reading time should be a highlight of the day. Make sure your child’s mood is right, the topic is appealing and the time spent with reading material is tailored to your child’s attention span. If Johnny is full of the dickens, it’s yard time, not book time. If Sally is interested in the computer, use online children’s picture books or games to pique her interest.

Make bedtime stories a positive culmination of a structured bedtime routine. We made books a happy part of the morning routine, too. In our house, a cloth or board book would “appear” in the middle of the night at the end of their crib or bed. Soon happy babbling could be heard from the baby monitor each morning when they found their prizes. I remember hearing my 3-year-old reading to “Mother Teddy,” her prized comfort item, with my husband’s voice inflections. Priceless!

A is for Apple. Play alphabet games in the car. Use magnetic letters on the refrigerator. Put together an alphabet puzzle. Let them feel cloth letters and Velcro them to a felt board. Sing songs emphasizing the sounds letters make. (Silly rhymes are usually a big hit.) Use finger paint or chalk to form giant letters. Read ABC books; there are a million out there. This will help with letter knowledge, an important pre-reading skill.

Monkey See, Monkey Do. Model literacy in your home. Reading parents beget reading offspring. Go to the library. Incorporate adult and kid reading time in your day. Keep kid-friendly books accessible in a basket or on a child-level shelf. Switch them out often to keep things fresh. Use other media including educational videos, board games and educational computer software. Show your little ones how to hold books, turn the pages and follow along with their fingers.

Print Awareness. Read the stop sign on your street’s corner every time you drive by. Read the “Beware of Dog” sign when you walk past the barking dog in the neighbor’s yard. Point out a sport team’s name and logo. Read the “Exit” sign over the door at church. Tap familiar high-frequency words when reading favorite books together. And, yes, point out the “M” when you are at McDonald’s.

Underdog Triumphs in ‘Pippo the Fool’

It’s human nature for people to love a good story about an underdog. Small guy beats big guy. It’s a classic theme – one that kids just eat up!

Tonight, Butler University, a small school in Indianapolis, will battle it out in the Final 4 of the NCAA’s March Madness basketball tournament against huge schools with much bigger sports programs. Back in the Depression, a small thoroughbred horse named Seabiscuit went from long shot to miracle worker when he soundly upset War Admiral – the 1938 Triple Crown Winner – in the “Match of the Century.” And of course, Americans love to retell how their ragtag army of patriots upset the British Empire more than two centuries ago.

The children’s picture book “Pippo the Fool” fits snugly in this genre. It’s a tale of an underdog, who initially gets little respect, but triumphs in the end. Children going through such a social dilemma will relate, especially kids who are a little quirky or are talented but fly under the radar.

What makes this book published by Charlesbridge an even better story is that the tale is true! Author Tracey E. Fern brings history to life as she retells the unusual circumstances surrounding the finishing of the dome on Florence’s Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Italy more than 600 years ago. It features a contest, a braggart, an underdog and justice – all tied up in pretty packaging, thanks to the charming illustrations by Pau Estrada.

“Pippo the Fool” also teaches moral lessons. It encourages readers to reach for the stars. It teaches the value of perseverance and the pursuit of happiness, whether faced with ridicule from the town bully, health challenges or unfair circumstances. Perhaps best of all is the belief that justice is worth hoping for!

Big Universe offers this book online, including a reading comprehension quiz. (Reading Level: F&P N, DRA 34) Dozens of additional books on the website provide quizzes for learning assessment.

Sylvan Dell’s Standardized Science Books Rock!

If Sylvan Dell were a person, I’d be offering a bear hug right now! That’s how happy I am to see that this publisher’s science-related books have been added to Big Universe’s online bookshelves. I read one, then another, then another. All wonderful!

Sylvan Dell Publishing is a South Carolina-based company on a serious mission to create science-related picture books that excite children’s imaginations, are artistically spectacular and have educational value. Each of their books offers fun and warm stories featuring science, math and nature themes and must pass inspection by a scientist or educator from NASA, NOAA, SeaWorld, Houston Zoo or other nature centers before they are published.

The company website lists each book’s alignment with national science and math standards in its searchable database, making lesson planning simpler. The ratings are based on the story text and each book’s “For Creative Minds” section. Each state has its own listing. Alignment ratings are based on:

• National Council of Teachers of Mathematic Standards
• National Science Education Standards
• National Geography Standards
• North American Association of Environmental Educators Standards (Pre-K to 4^th grade)

In addition, Sylvan Dell’s books are published in both English and Spanish versions. The company’s website features loads of teaching activities, quizzes and  information geared to teachers and librarians, as well as parents and homeschoolers. It even has a section for children, including animal webcams, word searches, crossword puzzles and scavenger hunts.

Big Universe has partnered with many other publishers contributing excellent science and technology picture books for children, too. Click here to go directly to the Big Universe science book shelf or browse by specific category.

Listed below are a few of the Sylvan Dell Publishing books that I have read on Big Universe so far. I couldn’t give them 5 out of 5 stars fast enough! They are good for reading at home or sharing during science time in a classroom setting via white board display.

• “Pandas’ Earthquake Escape“
• “Animals are Sleeping“
• “Mother Osprey: Nursery Rhymes for Buoys & Gulls“
• “Turtles In My Sandbox“
• “Julie the Rockhound“
• “Kersplatypus“
• “Saturn for My Birthday“
• “ABC Safari“

March of the Silly Celebrations

It’s a little late to celebrate National Peanut Butter Lovers’ Day which was March 1. I suppose it’s just as well – what with peanut butter allergies and such.

Yesterday, March 9, was Barbie Day, Panic Day and Get Over It Day all rolled into one 24-hour period. The juxtaposition of those three observances makes me laugh. Although today’s younger generation may be more enlightened, it parallels the phases that many women of my vintage go through. …“I love Barbie. I want to be Barbie.” (Barbie Day) “Oh, no! I’m NOT Barbie.” (Panic Day) And finally, “Looks are fleeting. There’s so much more to life than Barbie.” (Get Over It Day)

Though we may have missed a few special days, March has plenty more to offer with enough holidays and observances to enliven any classroom. Some days are silly and some designated dates laud the mundane, but every day is unique, offering a doorway to broaden a child’s horizons. I say, “Carpe diem!”

 “Seize the Day!” List for March

March 10 is Middle Name Pride Day.  What’s your middle name? Mine is Elizabeth – pretty straightforward, but one I value. It’s a family name worn by my mother and grandmother, and it’s the middle name given to my second daughter. It is a tiny bit of family heritage passed down from generation to generation. Parents can share how they selected names for each child in their family. Children in the classroom can go by their middle names for a day. (Be prepared for some silliness.)

March 11 is Johnny Appleseed Day. It’s a perfect day to read a story about Johnny Appleseed, the American folk hero, and his tree-planting adventures. Tie in a discussion about fruits, vegetables and nutrition. Get a bag of apples of various colors and practice charting the numbers of each on a graph.

March 12 is Plant a Flower Day. Why not chase away the wintertime blues by offering a horticulture lesson. Read some poetry celebrating spring and the beauty of flowers, and break out the Dixie cups and potting soil. Marigolds are hardy specimens and should come up easily in a well-lit window. It’s also Girl Scout Day.

March 13 is Jewel Day. Read a book about gems and how they are formed. Help little ones string Cheerio necklaces or show older children how to repurpose pages from a magazine by turning them into paper beads that they can string into friendship bracelets or anklets. It’s also International Fanny Pack Day.

March 14 is Learn About Butterflies Day. One middle school in our town incorporated the study of butterflies into their science class. They planted a butterfly garden behind the school to attract the insects, adding beauty to the property and learning about life cycles and the importance of each creature to the ecosystem. Read “Where Butterflies Grow,” a Picture Puffins book by Joanne Ryder and Lynne Cherry, or visit the Foremost Butterflies website. It has lots of information and activities, including an easy word search about butterflies. …Oh. It’s also Potato Chip Day.

March 15 is the Ides of March. The Ides of March is most known for its mention in William Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar. (“Beware the ides of March.”) While Caesar’s assassination in 44 B.C. may not be a topic for a first-grader, older students can learn about the great city of Rome, the Roman Empire and mythology. Read “Rome”by Christine Dugan, a children’s picture book featured in Big Universe’s online library, or try Saddleback’s illustrated adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar.” Note: The “ides” were the fifteenth days of March, May, July and October on the Roman calendar, and a festival for Mars, the god of war, was celebrated on March 15 in that culture.

March 16 is Lips Appreciation Day. Whistle a tune. Hold your breath. Discuss facial expressions and emotions. It’s also Freedom of Information Day in the United States.

March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day.This day can be celebrated formally in recognition of the patron saint of Ireland or in a more whimsical way in all its shamrocked green-hued glory.

March 18 is Awkward Moments Day. “A-a-awk-ward!” is one of this generation’s favorite expressions. It means so much more than being clumsy. It signifies things like “I’m embarrassed,” “There’s too much silence,” or “That boy just made eye contact with me.”

March 19 is San Juan Capistrano Day, the day thousands of swallows return to the old stone mission in California’s town of San Juan Capistrano.

March 20 is Corn Dog Day. It’s also the First Day of Spring.  Read “Spring” by Ann Herriges and published by Bellwether.

March 21 is World Poetry Day.  The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared this observance in 1999 to promote the teaching, reading and writing of poetry on a global scale. National Poetry Month is celebrated in April in the United States.

March 22 is National Goof Off Day. It’s your call. Keep this one a secret until the end of the day if there’s work to be done. Or name it, claim it!

March 23 is World Meteorological Day. Read “Weather” by Teacher Created Materials Publishing. It’s also Near Miss Day. Hmmm.

March 24 is National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day. OK, I am officially in!

March 25 is Pecan Day.There will be a lot of pies cooked in the South. If I haven’t overindulged in Raisinettes, I think I’ll dig out my killer Chocolate Pecan Pie recipe.

March 26 is Hawaii’s Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Day. It’s a state holiday in Hawaii. Check out “A is for Aloha,”  a book by Uilani Goldsberry and illustrated by Tammy Yee. This book was the 2006 Hawaii Center for the Book selection representing the state at the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C. (Sleeping Bear Press)

March 27 is Skyscraper Day. Do you know which is the tallest building in the world? Is it the Empire State Building? Guess again. The tallest skyscraper is the 2717-foot Burj Khalifa building in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with 160 floors. The Willis Tower in Chicago, formerly the Sears Tower, is the tallest building in the United States with 108 floors and ranks No. 8 in the world. The Empire State Building has 102 floors and ranks No. 15 globally.

March 28 is the day Olympian Jesse Owens was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal posthumously in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush. The medal is awarded to a civilian who “performs an outstanding deed or act of service to the security, prosperity, and national interest of the United States,” according to Wikipedia. Owens won four gold medals in the 1936 Summer Games in Berlin, Germany. Read “A Picture Book of Jesse Owens” by David A. Adler and Robert Casilla. Grade 5. (Scholastic)

March 29 is the Birthday of Yours Truly. Yup, it’s my birthday! Lots of candles on this one. John Tyler, the 10^th president of the United States, shares the same birthday. For more birthday fun, read “Penelope and the Preposterous Birthday Party.” 

March 30 is Take a Walk in the Park Day. Isn’t it time for a field trip? Read “On One Flower: Butterflies, Ticks and a Few More Icks” and then visit your community park or a nearby state or national park to see what your children can discover. Government-funded parks offer a wealth of information and plenty of room to stretch energetic little legs. March 30 is also the anniversary of the signing of the Alaska Purchase treaty in 1867, and it’s National Pencil Day.

March 31 is Bunsen Burner Day. Embrace science. Read a book. Do a simple experiment. Make it fun.

I Don’t Like Dr. Seuss

It’s true. I don’t like Dr. Seuss.

There, I said it…on his birthday, no less. I imagine this is a form of blasphemy, a veritable act of treason, but I just had to get it off my chest!

 While I mean no disrespect to Theodor Seuss Geisel himself – who was born on March 2^nd 106 years ago in Springfield, Mass. – I have to be honest. His books creeped me out as a child. (They sit on the same memory shelf as “The Wizard of Oz” and all those flying monkey things.)

The stories involved naughty characters and scenarios of impending doom. It was a little much for a sensitive kid with a highly developed imagination, a quick trigger finger over the “Guilt” button, and a hyperactive sympathy response. (If my brother got in trouble, I would be the one crying when it was all over.)

 In my world, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “Horton Hears a Who” were horrible stories. A thief was going to steal Christmas, my very favorite day of the year, and a little miniature civilization was going to be crushed despite the efforts of a well-meaning elephant. Don’t even get me started on “The Cat in the Hat” stories or “Green Eggs and Ham!”

 Those siblings in the Cat story were going to be in BIG trouble when their mom got home and found the house a disaster. The Cat and Thing One and Thing Two were uninvited guests and did not jibe with my inner “voice of reason” or my healthy fear of strangers.

And, for goodness sake, green eggs and ham? That entrée sounded particularly disgusting to a girl from a “clean-your-plate-or-you-do-not-leave-the-table” household.

 The illustrations were particularly creepy to me, too. I did not find them funny or cute. I loved animals, but these characters didn’t look like the soft furry ones I knew and adored. A one-humped Wump? A virtually hairless Zed? Zaxes, zooks and sneetches? No siree, bob. Not for me.

 Yup, childhood memories are powerful things. Although I grew up to be a reasonably well-adjusted adult, I simply could not overcome my feelings about Dr. Seuss’ books. So, I refused to read them to my children. (Did I just hear a gasp on a global scale?)

 Lest you think my children were deprived, think again. The books would end up in our take-home baskets at the library, although I never personally placed them in there. Unlike me, my husband reveled in reading “The Cat in the Hat” and “Green Eggs and Ham” to our girls – over and over and over again. He can still quote passages by heart as can my girls!

 I kept my prejudice to myself. An anti-Seuss sentiment just seemed so, well, un-American. I confided in my husband, but no one else knew. But, years have gone by and I have felt the urge to unload this heavy burden. My daughters are big girls now, young women of 16 and 19 years. I think it’s safe to purge. I think we are past the risk of leaving permanent psychological scars on them or impeding their education.

 My name is Suzan, and I am a Dr. Seuss book hater.

I guess that means  The Cat is out of the bag.

EDITOR’S NOTE: “Dr. Seuss” wrote and illustrated 44 children’s books during his lifetime. His works were turned into numerous TV specials, a Broadway musical and feature-length motion pictures. His honors have included a Pulitzer Prize, a Peabody award, two Academy Awards, two Emmys, and a whimsical sculpture garden was built as a memorial to him in his hometown. Despite my lack of appreciation for his well-loved rhyming schemes and quirky illustrations, his biography is fascinating and his contribution to children’s literature is unquestioned.

• To read more about this children’s literature giant, go to www.catinthehat.org.
• For a Level One Seuss word search puzzle, click here.
• Visit Seussville, a fun, interactive educational site for children.
• For additional  reading fun, visit Big Universe, a source of children’s books online.

Science Project: Fear and Loathing? Try These Tips!

If the tri-fold boards visible in the back window of all the minivans in town weren’t evidence enough, the glazed eyes of parents in the school drop-off line would be a dead giveaway! Science Fair Week had arrived.

If I were politically correct, I’d be moaning and groaning with the rest of the parents, some of the teachers and certainly the custodial staff.

“I hate these projects,” said one parent to no one in particular.

“You poor thing,” said a passerby to a judge sitting in front of a display of bedraggled bean sprouts.

“What a weekend,” moaned another mom who sported noticeable undereye circles. The child in tow did not look happy either.

It’s the seventh year in a row that I have volunteered as a science fair judge and the ritual is the same. The negative attitude toward science and this educational rite of passage was the norm, rather than the exception. Unfortunately, it’s not a localized attitude. Science teachers and organizations have been fighting this pervasive cancer on a nation-wide basis for years.

I, however, love science! I always have. Although I became a writer by profession, my first love was nature, science and the great outdoors.

As a child, I reveled in rocks and bugs and birds in the trees. I was awed by the birth of kittens and checked on the ever-changing tadpoles in our farm pond. I filled a shelf in my bedroom with my finds: an empty turtle shell, a blue jay feather, a rock with a tiny fossil embedded in it.

This interest in the natural world is not that unusual in young children. Just watch a curious toddler at a park. One is carrying a dandelion in a chubby fist, while another is collecting acorns and pebbles or observing the ants. It’s the scientific method in its infancy. It’s precious to watch.

So what happens to that natural curiosity and joy? Why the negative attitude? Is the disconnect inevitable?

I say it doesn’t have to end this way! I speak as a parent of four back-to-back years of science fair competition and as an experienced science fair judge. Here are a few suggestions that I think will help.

Science Projects: 9 Tips for a Positive Experience 

1. A student’s personal interest in the project topic is vital. The higher the interest level, the better the attitude, involvement and outcome.
2. Take a step-by-step approach. Methodical. Calm. Fun-focused. Note: A project cannot be completed successfully in a weekend.
3. Expose your children to good material from a young age. There are great science-themed books, videos, TV shows and community programs available. Visit the library, a book store, the local university, a national park, a zoo or the community science or agriculture center. Online resources are extensive. Big Universe has a particularly good collection of science-themed children’s picture books online and the Bill Nye the Science Guy website has a good sampling of easy experiments for parents or teachers to do with their children.
4. A positive parental attitude toward homework, science and education is key. Very often a parent’s bad attitude toward science projects is linked to an over-taxed schedule, a skewed understanding of the assignment’s goals, a poor view of education’s importance, or a negative personal science fair experience. “Every thought is a seed.  If you plant crab apples, don’t count on harvesting Golden Delicious!” – Bill Meyer
5. Teacher attitude. (Yes, teachers too!) Whether you are part of a school system or are a homeschooler, personal views are powerful. A child can detect overt and subtle biases against science. Do you see the science unit as a necessary evil or do you see science and learning as a blessing and great opportunity?
6. Exposure to good role models. Expose kids to science professionals – an engineer with cool gadgets, a zoo keeper or veterinarian, or a science “performer” with a sense of humor and lots of loud, visually interesting experiments designed to intrigue kids.
7. Parental support. Good parent-teacher communication can go a long way in avoiding misunderstandings and encourage parental support. (The child can’t drive, pay for materials, or scour the Internet safely without parental involvement. Getting everyone on the same team is imperative.)
8. Time management! Colliding with deadlines is stressful to the child, the parents and even siblings. Anticipating checkpoints and due dates allows you to sidestep the stress. Look at the teacher’s guidelines and schedule each step in the experiment process on your family calendar: researching, planning, collecting supplies, testing, journaling, analysis and creation of the display board. Allow a time cushion! Family emergencies happen, plants die and glue sticks dry up.
9. Recruit science mentors. Many science professionals or hobbyists are happy to share their knowledge and love of the sciences. “Bring Your Child to Work Day” is another great opportunity to expose children to different careers and working scientists.

UPDATE: (3/12/2010) Big Universe recently partnered with Sylvan Dell Publishing, a company on a serious mission to create picture books that excite children’s imaginations, are artistically spectacular, and have educational value — particularly in the areas of math, science and nature. Each book is carefully vetted by experts in the field including scientists and educators from NASA, NOAA, SeaWorld, Houston Zoo and various nature centers and aviaries.