Feed Me Books Friday: Flexing Our Mental Muscles
Friday, August 26, 2011
Creative Calisthenics
Many of us are preparing for or already embarking upon a new school year. I shared recently about my efforts to brush up on B’s preschool skills. I have to admit I felt a twinge of regret when B signed his name to a piece of artwork and I noticed his writing skills had suffered for lack of practice this summer. However, there is something special that makes summer unlike any other time of year, and it’s not just the weather. The break from school, the loosening of routines, and the increase in life experiences all contribute to some cognitive stretches that just might not occur within the day-to-day of the school year.
Possibilities
In my mind, one of the most magical parts of summer is the possibilities. New places to see on vacation, time for relationships to grow, witnessing the growth of a garden, not knowing what to expect is part of the excitement. Laura Vaccaro Seeger’s What if?
uses simplicity and suggestion to challenge readers to consider the possibilities and even to create their own version. There are a total of six words used in the story: two are in the title, and the others are and, then, but, and or. The story (or stories) is based on the premise that a boy playing on the shore loses track of his beach ball and it is enjoyed by two seals. Then, through captivating watercolor illustrations and leading questions, Seeger develops three different storylines. When a third seal comes along, will the first two keep him out of their game, swim away when he arrives, or include him in the fun? While the illustrations will reveal Seeger’s take on each possibility, you’ll enjoy prompting your child to make suppositions about the coming events and their effects before you turn the pages. “What ifs” can become tiresome and grating when you’re the parent who has been responding to them all day, but what-if questions help children develop an understanding of the world around them, determine cause and effect, and build creative muscles as they consider their own version of the results. Appropriate for: toddlers, preschoolers, primary grades.
photo courtesy RambergMediaImages via Flickr
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on clearance at Target, found 
Ok, so lifesaver might be a better descriptor for the carseats my kids are riding in, but I really had no idea how cool this would be when I ordered it! I have had my eye on I Play’s Peek a Book Bags for some time now – car toy, church toy, diaper bag toy – many possibilities. Then I as I was checking for new options and price drops, I found the 
. It combines the 
with a board book in a travel friendly fabric case. The bag is made of cloth with a clear vinyl window. Inside, tiny plastic and rubber objects representing all the letters of the alphabet are hidden among tiny white beads. The user (you’ll find this as entertaining as your child) manipulates the beads by squishing and turning the bag while peeking through the window to find the objects. The book features pictures and rhymes highlighting the hidden items and giving children a master list as well as increased motivation to search for them. We had a blast with it on a recent 4 hour car trip. Not only did we search for the objects as directed by the book, but we made up our own games like who could find objects the fastest, finding objects in alphabetical order, finding an object then identifying its beginning sound, and finding an object then challenging a partner. I also purchased the 
; while it does not include a book, it does come tagged with a card giving suggestions for vocabulary building activities like practicing letters, colors, shapes, even prepositions, and pronouns. By having two bags we avoided sharing issues and both are definitely entertaining. Your child can benefit from both the cognitive as well as the physical challenge of finding the objects among the beads. This is an item that will be part of my travel bag from now on – B even asked for one this week during a short ride to the grocery store!
One of our summer library finds that was quickly added to our purchasing wishlist is 
, by Mary Elting and Michael Folsom. While the title might sound initially confusing, I’ll bet you can figure it out… How is Q related to a duck? (Quack!) The layout of the book is what really makes it fun. The letter is introduced in one spread with an illustrating clue: “A is for Zoo. Why?” The answer is not revealed until you turn the page, allowing you and your child to make an educated guess at the target word before checking your answer. This is also an excellent opportunity for letter sound practice:
My pick this week hits two REALLY important social-emotional points: some fears, while genuine, are downright unreasonable, AND being open to the unexpected can be very rewarding.
, by Melanie Watt is centered on Scaredy’s (genuine but unreasonable) fear of being bitten. He is afraid to make friends because they COULD be biters – like beavers, rabbits, or Godzilla. When he discovers a goldfish living nearby, he thinks he’s found the perfect friend: no teeth, not noisy or dirty, very predictable. After creating a detailed plan to win over his ideal friend, Scaredy’s efforts are thwarted by a curious and energetic dog. While initially terrified, Scaredy learns that the pup is not only friendly, but fun. And while he may have germs, teeth, and even a somewhat unpleasant odor, the dog makes an excellent friend. It’s been one of B’s favorite books recently, and I’m hoping the message is sinking in a little. The comical illustrations and quirky squirrel behavior are sure to incite giggles, but if those giggles also diffuse some tension and fear, it’s a double success. I’ve already requested the rest of the Scaredy series from the library – and hoping it makes an impression!
