It had been a long time since I sat in a PTA meeting, knees scrunched up, trying to fit in a chair meant for second-graders.
No, I wasnt there as a grandma, but as a visiting speaker. But before I spoke we heard from a first-grade teacher and a reading specialist about developing early readers through word study and use of assessment tools.
It was fascinating to learn a bit about how childrenas they explore how to break down words into syllables, and letters, and letter combinationslearn what sounds they make and how to put completely new words together.
At last I had an answer for 6-year-old Tanya so long ago when she asked, How did Mrs. Proctor teach me to read? I had tried to explain it the best I could at the time, but Tanya had her own answer: It was magic. The ability to read opens a lifetime of enjoyment, information, inspiration, imagination and well magic!
Magic or reading assessment and word sorts aside, here is my annual round up of books for various ages that have made it across my desk this year that look like theyre worth recommending for your Christmas gifts for children, parents, or grandparents.
Quills, by Aaron Ratzlaff (Herald Press, 2011) is a charming picture book teaching the important value of liking yourself even though you look or are different from those around you. The story idea stemmed from Aarons wife, Audrey, who deals with alopecia areata (unexplained hair loss). In the book, Porcupine learns that true friends dont really pay attention to what a person looks like.
Point to Happy: A Book for Kids on the Autism Spectrum, by Miriam Smith and Afton Fraser (Workman Publishing, 2011), comes with a pointer tool with a hand on the end to make this a more tactile, child-involved reading experience especially for kids with autism. Through pictures of children expressing various emotions, your child points to happy, sad, etc., helping them learn how to convey their feelings. It also makes a game out of reading a book.
Do Something: A Handbook for Young Activists, by Nancy Lublin and others, (Workman). This is a great hands-on project book for, I would say, activists of all ages, whether you want to work on fighting hunger, poverty, saving the environment, or helping disaster victims. Each project includes organizing tips, promotion, how tos, lists, getting teachers or others on board, and follow up.
World Without Fish, by Mark Kurlansky, (Workman). This book takes a look at the history of the fishing industry to explore why it is realistic to talk about a world without fish. There is also a comic book type novel embedded in the book related to the topic. One reviewer suggests it is helpful for a classroom or as a beach read for a scientifically curious teen.
Spud and Chloe at the Farm by Susan B. Anderson (Workman). I have to include this book because if I could knit, it would be so much fun to create Susans adorable knitted animals, characters, clothing, and even little bow ties on wooly sheep. I mean really! See the authors blog for a picture: http://www.spudandchloe.com/blog/2010/12/spud-chloe-at-the-farm/. The neat thing is it includes a story (at the back of the book) that can help parents or grandparents and child interact using the knitted toys and the story. I may have to learn how to knit.
52 Things Kids Need From a Dad, by Jay Payleitner, (Harvest House Publishers). Jays stories of experiences with his childrenalong with teaching firm valuescan help any dad. Jays approach, that you are already the perfect dad for your kid, encourages fathers to get even more involved in the lives of their kidswhich enriches the lives of the kids, dad, mom, and the community as well.
Finally, these last two items are not books per se, but the first is a Web-based subscription service like Netflix for DVDs. Instead of DVDS, you can get BOOKS mailed to you and your children. Children love to get packagesand this may keep them reading, especially through the summer, but also when cooped up in the winter. Visit http://www.booksfree.com.
Many websites help you make personalized books but heres one that uses your pictures and facts to create a storybook for your child. Check out: http://www.personalchildstories.com.
Storytellingwhether in the oral tradition that goes back millennia, in cave pictures, in print or today on Nook, Kindle or smartphone, transports you to the creative playground of your brain: the imagination. I hope this inspires you to curl up and read a good book this week.
For a free booklet, suitable for reading to children, you can request Keeping Family First: A Kids Guide that helps explain to children why we do the things we do in families. Send to: Another Way, Box 22, Harrisonburg, VA 22803 or email melodied@mennomedia.org
Another Way is a column from Third Way Media by Melodie Davis. She is the author of nine books, most recently Whatever Happened to Dinner and has written Another Way since 1987. She is also the producer and co-host of Shaping Families radio program (shapingfamilies.com) airing nationally.
