Saturday is Swimming Day review

New things can be scary -- but as one endearing little girl discovers, it's perfectly fine to take your time.(goodreads summary)

It's Saturday morning and the little girl in this book wakes up with a stomach ache.  It just so happens to be swimming lesson day.  Reluctantly going to her first lesson, she sits on the edge of the pool the entire class and watches.  The next week she had a very bad stomachache. With the encouragement and support from her instructor, the little girl soon realizes swimming might not be so scary after all.

Childhood fears can develop from a either new or different environment to a bad experience they may have encountered. If your child is reluctant or fearful of swimming this would be a good story to share.  It demonstrates confidence building by trusting the instructor and children will connect well with the feelings of the main character. It could open up discussion about what they might be feeling themselves in a same situation.   It might even be a great opener to a first time swimming lesson group so children know what to expect before going into the water as well.   The colored pencil and watercolor illustrations are soft and gentle adding wonderful touches of expression with the story line.  It evokes a sense of calmness while reading, just what you need before heading into that scary pool setting.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3 to 7.~

Title: Saturday is Swimming Day
Author:  Hyewon Yum
Pub. Date:  June 2018, Candlewick Press
Genre: picture book
Hardcover, 40 pgs.

Click, Clack, Quack to School! review

They can stand in line (sort of), use indoor voices (perhaps), and are capable of sharing (rumor has it), so the Click Clack critters are ready for school…but is school ready for them?(goodreads summary)





 Hurray for School...It has been a long time since Farmer Brown has been to school. All the animals are excited as well until Farmer Brown tells them a few rules. Luckily, the animals studied the rule books all night and by the next morning were all lined up quietly and ready to go.  Farmer Brown was so proud of his animals!  They arrive at school just in time for recess and soon find out that things just might not be as serious as Farmer Brown implied.  Another fun book in the Click, Clack series that will sure be a hit for the first few weeks of school.  Kids will connect with learning inside rules versus having outside free time.  Illustrations are large for viewing and the text flows for an easy read aloud to a group.  And of course in the end, Duck is up to no good.  These books always seem to bring on the giggles during reading.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~

Title: Click, Clack Quack to School
Author: Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin
Pub. Date: July 2018, Antheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books 
Genre: picture book
Hardcover, 40 pgs.

How to Read a Story review

Step One: Find a story. 
Step Two: Find a reading buddy. 
Step Three: Find a reading spot.
Now: Begin. (goodreads summary)





Since the new school year is upon us, it always seems to be the best time to find some new stories to read to the kids.  When I saw this book by one of my favorite authors, I knew I had to give it a try and happy that I did.  It made me smile and I felt this charming book would be the perfect story for the beginning of the school year in any classroom or library.  Inside is a cute step-by-step guide teaching its' reader on how to be a good reader. It encourages simple but important ways to reading such as;  choosing a good book, having a good reading spot with a buddy, reading out loud in a clear voice, using character voice changing, sounding out words you don't know and making predictions. These are only a handful of examples of what to expect from the content.  The illustrations are plentiful and fun having a story within a story being told as well. It  promotes everything you need that helps children become a good reader.  It would definitely make a great addition to the classroom library that kids will want to read over and over again.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-7.~

Title: How to Read a Story
Author: Kate Messner, illustrated by Mark Siegel
Pub. date:  May 2015, Chronicle Books
Genre: picture book
Hardcover, 32 pgs.