Children’s book reviews by elementary school teachers Kate G. and Jennifer S.
Poetry is a form of literature that we often forget about, but it’s one of the most adaptable and enjoyable varieties to read with kids. It’s also a form of reading that isn’t too intimidating to young readers — stanzas are less overwhelming that paragraphs. → full article
Pete the Cat: Pete at the Beach is a delightful escape for many of us caught in this particularly horrible winter. My preschooler was drawn to a new book in a favorite series, and I was drawn to anything involving sun, sand, and some faint memory of what life is like when not buried under snow. → full article
Last year, I was volunteering in my daughter’s first grade class when a little boy told me a knock-knock joke.
Knock knock! Who’s there? Interrupting Cow! Interrupting Cow, wh– MOOOOOOOO!
This was cute — the first 32 times, at least — so when I saw Interrupting Chicken on the shelf at our library, I thought of that joke and how much fun it was for the miniature comedian. → full article
Explaining death to young children is such a touchy thing. It’s usually something parents don’t want to do, so we put it off until we are grappling with difficult loss and in no position to be mature, thoughtful creatures. → full article
If ever there was a perfect bedtime book for the younger set, Time for Bed is it. Written by Mem Fox and illustrated by Jane Dyer, this board book is almost trance-inducing. Each page follows the same rhythm, and each page has gentle rhymes. → full article
The adorable cover of Chick ‘n’ Pug hints at the humor and sweet tone readers will find inside. Both written and illustrated by Jennifer Sattler, this picture book is a winner whether read quietly to oneself or read aloud to a crowd of kindergartners. → full article
