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Welcome
to the Preschool Book Nook, an informative place invoking
those book-filled, cozy corners in classrooms and
libraries.
It’s
hard to believe that back-to-school time is here.
What better way to start off the year than with a
warm-hearted reading of a new picture book that you
know will quickly become a class favorite? Share
the following books and ease young children into their
new environment while teaching them an important lesson
or two.
BIG
AND LITTLE
This
clever concept book by John Stadler has lots of suspense
and surprises. Through the clever use of gatefold
flaps, students will learn that what seemed big
(Ellie the elephant) is really little,
and what seemed little (our
mouse host) is really big. Big
and Little is great for explaining to preschoolers
that things aren’t always what you expect them to
be.
The
expressive illustrations and small number of words
on each page are perfect for preschoolers. Ask young
readers what they think Ellie is thinking when she
is climbing the high ladder and then looking down
to the ground. Check out the activity
sheets for Big
and Little.
MARY
AND THE MOUSE, THE MOUSE AND MARY
Here
is another look at the concept of size. Mary
lived in a big house with a very little mouse. The
mouse lived in a little house inside of a very big
house, with Mary. This treasure by Beverly
Donofrio and Barbara McClintock follows Mary and mouse
as they grow up side by side, go to college, get married,
and have children of their own.
The
charming artwork shows parallel images of Mary’s life
and the mouse’s life. Have students draw a picture
of themselves in their home doing something that they
love to do. Then have them draw a picture of a mouse
or another small creature doing the same activity.
And
the reviews are in:
*“Cleverly
designed, inventively enacted, and charming from start
to finish.”— Kirkus Reviews, starred
*
"Donofrio and McClintock give exquisite attention
to the girl’s and mouse’s parallel lives,
emphasizing cross-generational connections and shared
secrets."— Publishers Weekly,
Starred
WHAT’S
WRONG, LITTLE POOKIE
Pookie’s
upset and Pookie’s mom cannot figure out why. And
Pookie isn’t helping either. Beloved author Sandra
Boynton brings us the perfect book for kids having
a meltdown, or anyone in a plain old bad mood.
Hold
up the adorable cover of the book and ask students
to predict what Pookie is upset about. Have them come
up with reasonable reasons why Pookie is upset, and
then with silly reasons that Pookie may be upset –
just like Pookie’s mom does in the book! Ask
students why they sometimes get upset. Who makes them
feel better? How?
MIND
YOUR MANNERS, B.B. WOLF
Who
better to teach your students their manners than a
retired Big Bad Wolf who is looking to make a good
impression at a tea he is invited to by a children’s
librarian? Award-winning author Judy Sierra’s
inventive story is fun to read aloud, and with J.
Otto Seibold’s wild and wacky illustrations, Mind
Your Manners, B.B. Wolf might just be a subliminal
way to encourage good behavior in very young children.
Host
your own classroom tea and remember to serve lots
of cookies! As B.B. Wolf’s best friend the crocodile
says, “You go to a tea for the cookies.”
Come
up with a class list of manners that are important
to everyone. You may even want to write a little ditty
a la B.B. Wolf. His goes like this: “Sip your tea
and never slurp, say ‘excuse me’ if you burp. Smile
and have a lot of fun, but don’t go biting anyone.
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