True or false? It's okay to give kids early reader books featuring characters they love. Kids may like books with their favorite characters, but do they need them? Will early reading series -- Step into Reading or I Can Read books -- that feature popular characters from tv or popular media actually help young readers? I'm talking the whole crew: Disney princesses, Pixar characters, PAW Patrol pups, Blues Clues guys, Barbies, Mickey Mouse, Lightning McQueen, Pikachu, Superman, or Peppa … [Read more...]
BOGO books kids love: less than $10 each!
It is absolutely time to start stocking up on books that kids love because right now you can score a ton of kid-faves over on Zulily for less than $10 each. And to sweeten the deal, Penguin Random House has partnered with Save the Children to donate one book to Save the Children for EVERY, SINGLE book sold between June 24 and August 5, 2021. You buy one, they give one. HOW awesome is that?? Nothing makes me happier than bogo books! Save the Children will get up to 50,000 books … [Read more...]
support for struggling readers: audiobooks
When seeking support for struggling readers, audiobooks are one of the first places families should look. Guess what, friend? Listening to audiobooks counts as reading. Promise. Friends, there's no easy answer to any of these questions or concerns, but I will tell you this: for many kids, reading is a struggle. For many kids, reading is stressful, difficult, and painful. From many adults, I hear: What should I do--my child hates reading!! Is there a ‘quick fix’ for my son, who … [Read more...]
The Trials of Apollo series: free bookmarks for superfans + a giveaway
This post is sponsored by Disney Book Group. Summer looks different for everyone this year. Pools are closed, vacations are cancelled, and camps are shut down. However, just because this summer is a little (or a lot!) strange doesn’t mean that it can’t be a ton of fun. I’m thrilled to be partnering with the great folks of the Disney Book Group to share a bit about one of our favorite book series of all times by one of our favorite authors of all times: The Trials of Apollo … [Read more...]
backyard adventure begins with “The Never Starting Tales”
Backyard adventure begins with "The Never Starting Tales". Really, it does! "The Never Starting Tales" may sound unusual, but these tales are simply a collection of re-interpreted fairytales that were created to inspire families to spend more time adventure-seeking in their own back yards. These stories explore what might have happened if a character never stepped outdoors to actually begin his or her adventure? What if a character instead stayed inside, glued to that … [Read more...]
the polar express night: a holiday family tradition
The Polar Express is more than a book for some people. It's a holiday family tradition that has become an eagerly-anticipated December event! The following guest post is written by Karen Blake in 2013, but it's one of my most popular holiday posts. Karen is a teacher, mom of three, and aunt of many. She's a lover of traditions and is quite honestly one of the most creative and crafty friends I have. —————————— Traditions are my favorite. And Christmas traditions are the absolute BEST! My … [Read more...]
5 ideas for helping parents read with their kids: podcast
We all know that reading is super important, but how do we read with our kids when it seems like everyone is busy, busy, busy? I sat down with the amazing Vicki Davis of the Cool Cat Teacher blog and 10-Minute Teacher podcast to chat about how parents can read with their kids. Reading with kids should be simple, right? But why aren't we doing it?! Take a quick 10 minutes (yes, that's it!) to listen to the podcast and do let me know what you think! Huge and happy thanks to … [Read more...]
valentine’s day water bottle labels: get kids reading jokes!
I love any reason to get kids reading--that's no secret. And I love a good joke. That's really no secret, either. So I made these Valentine's Day joke notes to put on plain-Jane water bottles, over the label. I love them. Valentine's Day water bottle labels will not only give your kids--or students--something refreshing to drink, but it'll give them something to laugh about as well. Here's the skinny. . . Valentine's Day Water Bottle Labels -- Get Your Kids Reading … [Read more...]
top 5 must-read books for kids: babies through teens
Over the years, many readers and friends have asked me the about the must-read books for kids. Every few weeks, I get asked the million dollar questions: What books should my kids read? What are the best books for 5-year-olds? Which books will my 12-year-old love to read? Please tell me how to spend my book money--which are the must-have books for kids? We're heading to the library. Which books should I pick up? I've had the conversation over and over and over again. So … [Read more...]
how to prepare your child for kindergarten — summertime prep
This time last summer, we were gearing up to send off my sweet boy to Kindergarten, and this year, it's my baby's turn. Cora will walk into those elementary school doors this time, and then it will just be me. I'll walk home by myself, to an empty house, with a happy dog, until the kids' day ends at 3 o'clock. I can't even begin to think about it, or I swear I'll bawl my eyes out. But what's been keeping me focused this summer, along with our crazy swim and dive schedules, trip to the beach, … [Read more...]
5 ways to get your kids psyched for summer reading
Believe it—summer is around the corner. Woo-hoo! Around the corner! As in like just a few weeks away! It’s May! Pools open in May. Weather warms in May. Swim team registration starts in May. We buy bathing suits in May. Wait. How can we even talk about ways to get your kids psyched for summer reading when school isn’t even out yet? Many of us still have assessments to think about, big projects coming though, and a whole lot that has to happen between now and the time those … [Read more...]
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