Spotlight Story
Where DO Fairies Go When it Snows?!
October 05, 2015 07:00 AM
Where Do Fairies Go When it Snows? written by Liza Gardner Walsh is a wonderful fiction follow-up to her non-fiction fairy books: Fairy House Handbook and Fairy Garden Handbook also published by Down East Books. The onslaught of questions about the plight of fairies in the winter is made even more delightful by the illustrations of Hazel Mitchell. In fact, it is Ms. Mitchell's illustrations in another recent release, Animally, that prompted me to follow her on Facebook, and thus find out about this fairy adventure!
When she began posting about Where Do Fairies Go When it Snows?, I couldn't wait to see what charming illustrations Hazel Mitchell would bring to this fantastical inquiry by Liza Gardner Walsh. I am lucky enough to have a sneak peek, and of course, the story and illustrations do not disappoint!
The whimsical illustrations spur on the reader's imagination to answer question after question about how fairies spend their winters. The reader is asked to contemplate whether fairies can maintain their cheer of spring and summer as winter approaches. While the questions may not be completely answered by the end, Liza Gardner Walsh opens a world of wonder with her first simple question, Where Do Fairies Go When it Snows?
While the book will not officially be released until, October 15th, you have a chance to WIN IT HERE on Tot Book Club! You'll be ready to put this book on repeat when it arrives, because tomorrow I will be sharing 10 Learning Experiences to incorporate into your readings of Where Do Fairies Go When it Snows?
Liza Gardner Walsh has worked as a children’s librarian, pre-school teacher, high-school English teacher, writing tutor, museum educator, and she holds an MFA in writing from Vermont College. She lives with her family in Camden, Maine.
Award-winning illustrator of more than a dozen books, Hazel Mitchell grew up in England, where she attended art college and served in the Royal Navy before moving to the states in 2000. She lives in Detroit, Maine. www.hazelmitchell.com.
**Amazon Affiliate links were used in this post.**
Comments
Jonathan James and the Whatif Monster
September 16, 2015 11:31 AM
Author, Michelle Nelson-Schmidt is on a mission to encourage kids to believe in themselves, to be confident in who they are and what they can do. With her book Jonathan James and The Whatif Monster, she personifies that voice that makes you talk yourself out of taking a chance on something new. With a little green monster, who is adorably ugly, bringing up all the negative possible results from trying new things, Jonathan James ends up sitting on the sidelines in a world of worry. Finally the worry gets tiresome, so Jonathan James learns how to talk back to that Whatif Monster and share all of the good possible outcomes.
By personifying worry and anxiety in this little green monster, Michelle Nelson-Schmidt has helped more children and adults than she could have ever imagined! For children caught in a world where everything seems to go wrong, Jonathan James and The Whatif Monster has become a source of comfort and encouragement. The Whatif Military Challenge seeks to provide a Whatif Monster plush and book to families of veterans. View the video below to see how Michelle Nelson-Schmidt's book inspired this challenge:
Not only was The Whatif Military Challenge created, but another inspired reader, Jana Gruber, founded an organizations called Books To The Rescue!. She partnered with her local police department to stock cruisers with Whatif Monster books and plushes for officers to give to children in crisis. I am actually hoping to partner with Jana Gruber and start my own branch of Books To The Rescue! here in LA County.
Pick up the book and see if it inspires you to action! Stay tuned for activities to inspire you to address anxiety and worry in your own home using Jonathan James and The Whatif Monster.
If you want to see the author read the book, tune in to her LiveStream Story Time this evening at 7:30pm ET. She encourages viewers, gives away prizes, and reads a story. And tonight it is our Spotlight Story!
What If I Leap...
August 27, 2015 02:39 PM
I have been beating myself up every day about not posting. I have plenty of excuses: sleepless nights, ongoing home renovation, preparing Tot 1 for Transitional Kindergarten, traveling, hosting guests in our home, distraction with my Usborne Books & More business…the list goes on. However, every day I haven't posted, has also made me confront a fear of mine.
I'm not not exactly a risk-taker, and I've realized what parts of my life that affects. I don't set goals, because I am afraid I won't reach them, which results in the self-deprecation cycle. As much as I set high expectations for myself, I know also that what other people may think is definitely a part of my seeming lack of ambition. I rarely announce my goals because then I'll let people down when I don't meet those goals. I by no means keep a perfect house or am under the delusion that I can do no wrong, but admitting to myself that I didn't meet expectations really throws me for a loop. It becomes too real, and I have difficulty digging myself out and being motivated to try again.
But here I am, still committed to this blog and to the cause of spreading awareness about the importance of reading to your kids, for your kids, and with your kids. I launched this blog with an idea, and that idea is changing and taking new forms. I have so many ideas, so I am working on organizing them. I have a slight issue with taking things one step at a time. When I brainstorm ideas, I want to throw my energy at every great idea, rather than sequencing them. It's time to develop organizational skills along with some courage!
I did not expect this blog to teach me so much about myself, but now I know there is plenty more to learn and discover!
Now that you know where I am in my life, you'll understand why the next Spotlight Story will be Jonathan James and the Whatif Monster, by Michelle Nelson-Schmidt. This book will be great for your tots and for you as well! I can't wait to share this book with you and to introduce you to the author, because she is nothing short of inspiring! Stay tuned for some fun activities while we talk back to our personal Whatif Monsters!
I'm not not exactly a risk-taker, and I've realized what parts of my life that affects. I don't set goals, because I am afraid I won't reach them, which results in the self-deprecation cycle. As much as I set high expectations for myself, I know also that what other people may think is definitely a part of my seeming lack of ambition. I rarely announce my goals because then I'll let people down when I don't meet those goals. I by no means keep a perfect house or am under the delusion that I can do no wrong, but admitting to myself that I didn't meet expectations really throws me for a loop. It becomes too real, and I have difficulty digging myself out and being motivated to try again.
But here I am, still committed to this blog and to the cause of spreading awareness about the importance of reading to your kids, for your kids, and with your kids. I launched this blog with an idea, and that idea is changing and taking new forms. I have so many ideas, so I am working on organizing them. I have a slight issue with taking things one step at a time. When I brainstorm ideas, I want to throw my energy at every great idea, rather than sequencing them. It's time to develop organizational skills along with some courage!
I did not expect this blog to teach me so much about myself, but now I know there is plenty more to learn and discover!
Now that you know where I am in my life, you'll understand why the next Spotlight Story will be Jonathan James and the Whatif Monster, by Michelle Nelson-Schmidt. This book will be great for your tots and for you as well! I can't wait to share this book with you and to introduce you to the author, because she is nothing short of inspiring! Stay tuned for some fun activities while we talk back to our personal Whatif Monsters!
Act It Out...A Lot!
August 04, 2015 03:52 PM
Dramatization of books allows a child to engage the story at a whole new level. They become aware of the sequencing of the story. You find out what details they are picking up on in the book. They learn to empathize with the characters and act out different emotions. The text becomes more memorable, and the characters take on a new dimension to your Tot.
Read through Super Duck with your tot, and look for opportunities to dramatize it. You can make it very simple by acting out certain parts of the story, or you can close the book and put on a full-fledged play.
As you read, look for these opportunities to bring the book to life:
Once you have acted out the story a few times as you read, ask your tot if he'd like to pretend to be Super Duck or any of the other characters. You can encourage making props and costumes, or you can just run through it without the extras. Have your child try to remember the sequence of events and some of the smaller details. Ask your child how he thinks each character feels as the story progresses. If you tot asks you to narrate, throw him a curve ball and add a new part to the story, see how he reacts.
If you do this several times, your tot may decide to take the director role, play along! If he has a few things out of order or adds details, don't correct him. Let his creative vision play out. If your Tot would like to refer to the book for proper details and sequencing, allow that as well. This is a wonderful opportunity to let your child have control!
Remember, puppets are always a good tool for dramatizing books as well. They can be simple drawings, crafted paper bags, or more elaborate sock puppets. This is another wonderful avenue for expressing creativity with the materials you have, just go with it!
I would love to see pictures or videos from your productions! Please share them on the Tot Book Club Facebook page!
Read through Super Duck with your tot, and look for opportunities to dramatize it. You can make it very simple by acting out certain parts of the story, or you can close the book and put on a full-fledged play.
As you read, look for these opportunities to bring the book to life:
- Look around the room as Sheep and Frog look for Goat
- Put your hands on your hips and announce Super Duck's arrival
- Pretend with your own arms or use your tot's and hurl the kite
- Use a disappointed voice as the kite flops down to the ground
- Perk back up as Goat, the expert, and declare the solution
- Exclaim Super Duck's line even more excitedly, and note the shock on the other animals' faces
- Pump your arms or your tot's arms like you are trying to gain speed to run and hold the kite
- Raise your voice with excitement as the kite flits and skits, then lower with disappointment as you realize it's not going anywhere
- It's time for that bumpy car ride on your lap, lower your tot as the kite slumps
- Blow a gentle breeze as the wind picks up, and act like Sheep with the wind tickling your nose. (see if your tot wants to feel what it would feel like to have wind tickle his nose)
- Read with excitement and anxiousness as the kite take flight with Frog on the end.
- Hold on tightly to that kite as Frog does
- Pump your arms and race as you catch your breath to exclaim Super Duck's refrain
- Go on that bumpy car ride, but this time reach out as Super Duck climbs on the hood
- If you are daring, you can allow your tot to climb on your knees and stand up like he's reaching for the string
- Hold onto that pretend string and sway your arms right and left as you swoosh away and jerk to avoid the tree
- Count to 3 and let go of the string together, and make a fantastic splat sound as Super Duck falls into the muck
- Look around in confusion as Super Duck realizes Frog isn't with him
- Point out the worried looks on Sheep's and Goat's faces.
- Give a loud cheer as you point to the sky squinting to see Frog soaring down
- Make sound effects and Sheep and Goat run into the muck, squish, squash
- Hoist up your tot in celebration of the hero, Super Duck
Once you have acted out the story a few times as you read, ask your tot if he'd like to pretend to be Super Duck or any of the other characters. You can encourage making props and costumes, or you can just run through it without the extras. Have your child try to remember the sequence of events and some of the smaller details. Ask your child how he thinks each character feels as the story progresses. If you tot asks you to narrate, throw him a curve ball and add a new part to the story, see how he reacts.
If you do this several times, your tot may decide to take the director role, play along! If he has a few things out of order or adds details, don't correct him. Let his creative vision play out. If your Tot would like to refer to the book for proper details and sequencing, allow that as well. This is a wonderful opportunity to let your child have control!
Remember, puppets are always a good tool for dramatizing books as well. They can be simple drawings, crafted paper bags, or more elaborate sock puppets. This is another wonderful avenue for expressing creativity with the materials you have, just go with it!
I would love to see pictures or videos from your productions! Please share them on the Tot Book Club Facebook page!
Make Something Monday: Super Suit
August 03, 2015 11:12 AM
After a busy and somewhat chaotic July, we are back for a Super Duck marathon! For the next several days we will be doing at least one Super Duck activity per day! So put on your capes and join us for a week of super fun!
#makesomethingmonday
Tots love to be heroes! So let's help them make their own super hero costumes and identities! Before we get started, we will need to determine a few details about their super hero qualities.
1) What is your super power?
2) Who do you protect?
3) What is your weakness?
We'll also need to figure out if they want a cape, because as we learned from The Incredibles, capes can be dangerous for a super hero!
Once we have the details, we can get started making masks, cuffs, and capes. We have a few options depending how fancy we want to get.
Mask options:
1. Use posterboard, felt, or a foam sheet and cut out the shape of a mask then decorate with markers and/or glitter, add yarn or elastic to secure the mask around your tot's head.
2. Cut a long piece of fabric to tie around your tot's head, then cut out eye holes and decorate with fabric markers.
Cape options:
1. Cut up a t-shirt but leave the collar. Cut through the collar and add velcro to make the cape easily detachable in case it gets caught. As we learned above, the cape should have an emergency release like velcro! :) Then go to town with fabric paints and markers to customize the cape.
2. Use one of those paper bags you have hanging around your house. Cut it into the shape of a cape, decorate with markers, glitter, and/or stickers. You can attach it around the shoulders with pipe cleaners or rubber bands or yarn, but don't attach around the neck for safety reasons.
Cuff options:
1. Use the cardboard left from toilet paper rolls. Make a cut up the middle lengthwise, then cover with construction paper and decorate.
2. Use foam paper and cut to fit your tot's wrists. Secure with velcro or tape. Decorate with stickers or glitter glue!
For more detailed instructions or other ideas for how to create a super hero costume, check out my Make Something Monday Pinterest Board.
Please share pictures of your tot's super hero creations on my Facebook Page: Tot Book Club. I can't wait to see your heroes! Make way for Super Duck!!
#makesomethingmonday
Tots love to be heroes! So let's help them make their own super hero costumes and identities! Before we get started, we will need to determine a few details about their super hero qualities.
1) What is your super power?
2) Who do you protect?
3) What is your weakness?
We'll also need to figure out if they want a cape, because as we learned from The Incredibles, capes can be dangerous for a super hero!
Once we have the details, we can get started making masks, cuffs, and capes. We have a few options depending how fancy we want to get.
Mask options:
1. Use posterboard, felt, or a foam sheet and cut out the shape of a mask then decorate with markers and/or glitter, add yarn or elastic to secure the mask around your tot's head.
2. Cut a long piece of fabric to tie around your tot's head, then cut out eye holes and decorate with fabric markers.
Cape options:
1. Cut up a t-shirt but leave the collar. Cut through the collar and add velcro to make the cape easily detachable in case it gets caught. As we learned above, the cape should have an emergency release like velcro! :) Then go to town with fabric paints and markers to customize the cape.
2. Use one of those paper bags you have hanging around your house. Cut it into the shape of a cape, decorate with markers, glitter, and/or stickers. You can attach it around the shoulders with pipe cleaners or rubber bands or yarn, but don't attach around the neck for safety reasons.
Cuff options:
1. Use the cardboard left from toilet paper rolls. Make a cut up the middle lengthwise, then cover with construction paper and decorate.
2. Use foam paper and cut to fit your tot's wrists. Secure with velcro or tape. Decorate with stickers or glitter glue!
For more detailed instructions or other ideas for how to create a super hero costume, check out my Make Something Monday Pinterest Board.
Please share pictures of your tot's super hero creations on my Facebook Page: Tot Book Club. I can't wait to see your heroes! Make way for Super Duck!!
Word Wednesday: Vocabulary and Featured Words
July 08, 2015 11:54 AM
It's WORD WEDNESDAY!
Tot 2 has been loving "Sooker Duck," as he fondly calls Super Duck. We read it at least twice per day! I think he loves the movement described in the book from hurling to fluttering to the bumpity bumps and thumpity thumps, Super Duck is an action-packed picture book! Remember to move with the words! Flip and flop, dip and drop. Put your tot in your lap and bumpity bump and thumpity thump!
Due to it's rhyming nature, we also find some words that are new to our tots. It's always great to build vocabulary, so when you come across a word in the book that you think may be new to your tot, try to define it for him or her. I made a Super Duck glossary through the children's dictionary on wordsmith.net, so fee free to use that for help in explaining words that you may find hard to make any simpler.
Today our focus word will be "delight." What a great alternative to using the conventional happy or glad! As we are heading to Disneyland for a little adventure, I will be sure to capture the "delight" in my tot's faces! Follow @totbookclub on instagram to see their joy!
Tot 2 has been loving "Sooker Duck," as he fondly calls Super Duck. We read it at least twice per day! I think he loves the movement described in the book from hurling to fluttering to the bumpity bumps and thumpity thumps, Super Duck is an action-packed picture book! Remember to move with the words! Flip and flop, dip and drop. Put your tot in your lap and bumpity bump and thumpity thump!
Due to it's rhyming nature, we also find some words that are new to our tots. It's always great to build vocabulary, so when you come across a word in the book that you think may be new to your tot, try to define it for him or her. I made a Super Duck glossary through the children's dictionary on wordsmith.net, so fee free to use that for help in explaining words that you may find hard to make any simpler.
Today our focus word will be "delight." What a great alternative to using the conventional happy or glad! As we are heading to Disneyland for a little adventure, I will be sure to capture the "delight" in my tot's faces! Follow @totbookclub on instagram to see their joy!
Spotlight Story: Super Duck
July 01, 2015 04:41 PM
The Tots have chosen our next Spotlight Story! Super Duck written by Jez Alborough is a fun rhyming story about a superhero duck who doesn't always save the day in the most elegant way. However, he does keep things funny and exciting! In addition to laughs and entertainment, this charming book provides several opportunities for learning. Grab the book, check out Jez Alborough's website, and then come back July 6th to find out what we will be doing with Super Duck. Stay tuned for some fun activities including :
Check out Stay Smart and Be A Hero for information on my summer reading challenge. It is a great opportunity to encourage reading with your kids, to earn books and prizes, and to give to a charity.
- Make Something Monday
- Take a Look Tuesday
- Word Wednesday
- Think About It Thursday
- Foodie Friday
- Sing It Saturday
- STEM Sunday
Check out Stay Smart and Be A Hero for information on my summer reading challenge. It is a great opportunity to encourage reading with your kids, to earn books and prizes, and to give to a charity.
15 Learning Experiences from Happy Birthday Madame Chapeau
June 30, 2015 10:37 PM
What a fun first month of Tot Book Club! I learned a lot, not just about milliners, but about blogging. You'll see some changes in my formatting and posting this month as I'm still trying to figure out the best way to organize this site. Happy Birthday, Madame Chapeau
was a wonderful book to use to help me learn the ropes of providing content while also playing with my tots. If you didn't get to follow along with us throughout the month, don't worry, check the archives and go at your own pace with your tots.
15 Learning Experiences from Happy Birthday Madame Chapeau
was a wonderful book to use to help me learn the ropes of providing content while also playing with my tots. If you didn't get to follow along with us throughout the month, don't worry, check the archives and go at your own pace with your tots. 15 Learning Experiences from Happy Birthday Madame Chapeau
- Make hats
- Study illustrations
- Finish rhymes
- Visit to a boutique
- Add some French words to your vocabulary
- Bring someone cheer
- Taste test different cheeses
- Celebrate with sorbet
- Perform a folk dance
- Measure hats and heads
- Play Crow and Madame Chapeau
- Investigate hats from around the world
- Pretend to be a mime
- Explore the author's website
- Discuss if Madame Chapeau could have retrieved her hat from the crow
Happy Birthday Madame Chapeau Play Date
June 30, 2015 10:26 PM
It's the end of June, which also brought the end of our focus on Happy Birthday, Madame Chapeau. I don't doubt, that we will pick up the book again in the future, and that Tot 1 will continue to want to make hats, but it is time to move on to our next focus book. Our activities culminated in a birthday party play date for Madame Chapeau. While we donned our favorite headpieces, we read through the book, ate a French treat, and played a fun game.
Tot 1 chose to wear her hat that she modeled after Madame Chapeau's birthday hat, so we have gotten a lot of wear out of that project!
Tot 1 and her friend listened and interacted as I read the story and asked questions.
I ran by a local French bakery to grab some treats to feast on just as Madame Chapeau and her friends did. I served the tots a truffle chocolate tartlet and some pain amande. Tasty!
We had a blast playing our game of Crow and Madame Chapeau. Each tot took a turn pretending to be the crow. The "crow" would hide the hat while the other tots closed their eyes. Then, they searched the park for where the "crow" left the hat. They had a blast taking turns playing this game.
The tots went home with a little memento to get them ready for the upcoming holiday!
. I don't doubt, that we will pick up the book again in the future, and that Tot 1 will continue to want to make hats, but it is time to move on to our next focus book. Our activities culminated in a birthday party play date for Madame Chapeau. While we donned our favorite headpieces, we read through the book, ate a French treat, and played a fun game. Tot 1 chose to wear her hat that she modeled after Madame Chapeau's birthday hat, so we have gotten a lot of wear out of that project!
Tot 1 and her friend listened and interacted as I read the story and asked questions.
I ran by a local French bakery to grab some treats to feast on just as Madame Chapeau and her friends did. I served the tots a truffle chocolate tartlet and some pain amande. Tasty!
We had a blast playing our game of Crow and Madame Chapeau. Each tot took a turn pretending to be the crow. The "crow" would hide the hat while the other tots closed their eyes. Then, they searched the park for where the "crow" left the hat. They had a blast taking turns playing this game.
The tots went home with a little memento to get them ready for the upcoming holiday!
Sing it Saturday: Dance
June 27, 2015 03:16 PM
By the end of Happy Birthday, Madame Chapeau, everyone is dancing and celebrating Madame Chapeau's birthday. Let's use today's Sing it Saturday to do some dancing of our own!
I've made Folk Dancing playlist, so we can try to learn some moves from around the world. There is also a Singing Games playlist to try some of the basics of combining specific motions with certain music. However, if the tots are just in the move for some freestyle dancing, I've created a Dance Party playlist too. If you want a more in-depth explanation of teaching your tot folk dancing, hop over to Early Childhood News for a more information! It's time to play some music and let our tots get their groove on!
, everyone is dancing and celebrating Madame Chapeau's birthday. Let's use today's Sing it Saturday to do some dancing of our own!I've made Folk Dancing playlist, so we can try to learn some moves from around the world. There is also a Singing Games playlist to try some of the basics of combining specific motions with certain music. However, if the tots are just in the move for some freestyle dancing, I've created a Dance Party playlist too. If you want a more in-depth explanation of teaching your tot folk dancing, hop over to Early Childhood News for a more information! It's time to play some music and let our tots get their groove on!
Foodie Friday: Sorbet
June 26, 2015 08:19 AM
It's vacation time for our family, but that doesn't stop us from our adventures! Our destination provided the perfect spot for our Foodie Friday activity this week. At the end of Happy Birthday, Madame Chapeau, she has the whole restaurant celebrating with her. There is mention of sorbet with fruit, so why not use that for an excuse to try some sorbet?! While we love milkshakes, ice cream, and popsicles, we don't have much experience with sorbet. Before i knew of Hammond's Gourmet Ice Cream, my plan was to take the tots and let them get a few little sample spoons of sorbet. However, at Hammond's you can order flights of their treats! Don't want a a big scoop of only one flavor? Order a flight from 2 to 32 mini scoops of their flavors! They had 4 sorbets when we went there, so we grabbed the flight of 4 in mini waffle cones! The tots tasted raspberry sorbet, pineapple orange guava, mango lychee, and pineapple lychee!
Tot 1 loved the raspberry sorbet!
Tot 2 wasn't picky and thought this was serious business!
They both were delighted to be digging in!
, she has the whole restaurant celebrating with her. There is mention of sorbet with fruit, so why not use that for an excuse to try some sorbet?! While we love milkshakes, ice cream, and popsicles, we don't have much experience with sorbet. Before i knew of Hammond's Gourmet Ice Cream, my plan was to take the tots and let them get a few little sample spoons of sorbet. However, at Hammond's you can order flights of their treats! Don't want a a big scoop of only one flavor? Order a flight from 2 to 32 mini scoops of their flavors! They had 4 sorbets when we went there, so we grabbed the flight of 4 in mini waffle cones! The tots tasted raspberry sorbet, pineapple orange guava, mango lychee, and pineapple lychee!Tot 1 loved the raspberry sorbet!
Tot 2 wasn't picky and thought this was serious business!
They both were delighted to be digging in!
Think About it Thursday: Cheer
June 26, 2015 08:19 AM
Let's take a deeper look at the little girl in Happy Birthday, Madame Chapeau. For this Think About it Thursday, we will look for Madame Chapeaus in our daily lives. Other than the ladies from One of a Kind Hats that we met last Word Wednesday, we don't know any milliners (hatmakers), but I am certain that there are plenty of people who could use a little cheer. The little girl appears early in the story and follows Madame Chapeau around town. If you look closely, you'll notice that she has knitting needles and a different color of yarn in each picture. She was very observant and in the end gave the distraught milliner exactly what she needed. Even though the hat had no baubles and no bows, the squishy hat was the perfect gift to show Madame Chapeau that she wasn't alone. Thus that is our mission today. We will find a need and the Tots will come up with a thoughtful way to fulfill the need. While they may need some guidance, my goal is to go with their instincts. Though their ideas may not be what I would do, I want them to see that they can make a difference in other people's lives too.
In the comments or on social media, let us know if you find a Madame Chapeau in your life and how you plan to bring her cheer.
. For this Think About it Thursday, we will look for Madame Chapeaus in our daily lives. Other than the ladies from One of a Kind Hats that we met last Word Wednesday, we don't know any milliners (hatmakers), but I am certain that there are plenty of people who could use a little cheer. The little girl appears early in the story and follows Madame Chapeau around town. If you look closely, you'll notice that she has knitting needles and a different color of yarn in each picture. She was very observant and in the end gave the distraught milliner exactly what she needed. Even though the hat had no baubles and no bows, the squishy hat was the perfect gift to show Madame Chapeau that she wasn't alone. Thus that is our mission today. We will find a need and the Tots will come up with a thoughtful way to fulfill the need. While they may need some guidance, my goal is to go with their instincts. Though their ideas may not be what I would do, I want them to see that they can make a difference in other people's lives too.In the comments or on social media, let us know if you find a Madame Chapeau in your life and how you plan to bring her cheer.
Word Wednesday: Mime
June 26, 2015 08:18 AM
The word for today is Mime. A great activity while working with a book is to have your child dramatize the story with you. This encourages creativity, recall, and sequencing. Of course to work with the word "mime," we will look up some famous mimes on Tot 1's newfound favorite, YouTube. However, we will expand the challenge and try to mime the story of Happy Birthday, Madame Chapeau. While both my kids have a decent sign language vocabulary, miming will be a big challenge trying to communicate only with their bodies. I'm certain that Tot 1 will want include the customary mime face paint in our production as well! Maybe we will discover that these tots have a natural charades talent, or maybe not. But it will be a great brain and gross motor exercise and fun either way!
Share in the comments with us how your little actors communicate the story of Happy Birthday, Madame Chapeau
Share in the comments with us how your little actors communicate the story of Happy Birthday, Madame Chapeau
Take A Look Tuesday: Counting
June 23, 2015 07:51 AM
When looking at illustrations in a book, it's often easy to forget that there is a math adventure waiting in each picture. Pay attention to the books you are reading over and over to your kids, and have them count with you. The illustrations in Happy Birthday, Madame Chapeau are no exception. There are several different opportunities to count. So get out your abacus, your pen and paper, or just use your fingers, because it's time to count!
Things to count in Happy Birthday, Madame Chapeau
are no exception. There are several different opportunities to count. So get out your abacus, your pen and paper, or just use your fingers, because it's time to count! Things to count in Happy Birthday, Madame Chapeau
- Different hats
- Pins: different colors and total
- Beads
- Times you see the cat, dog, mouse, and little girl
- Frills on Madame Chapeau's birthday dress
- Baguettes, bagels, buns, pretzels
- People who offer her their hats
- Head molds at the very old merchant on Rue Pompadour
- People and hats in the crowded restaurant
- Onlookers as Madame Chapeau analyzes her gift
- Dancers at Chez Snooty-Patoot
Make Something Monday: Collage
June 22, 2015 11:06 AM
An activity that is super easy but I often forget to incorporate into our routine is making a collage. Today we will look through magazines and catalogs for different hats and cut them out, then we'll glue them on a piece of construction paper. We'll discuss all the hats that we find and imagine what type of person would wear each hat. I'm hoping to find a stetson, a derby, a sombrero, and a cap so we can expand on our vocabulary and tie it directly back to Happy Birthday, Madame Chapeau.
Last week, Tot 1 could not get enough of hatmaking, so I have the feeling we'll be expanding upon our collages as well. I'll draw the shape of a hat that the tots will like to decorate, and then put out craft materials like confetti, pompoms, tissue paper, jewels, etc… Once their hats are decorated, we will make up a story about who would wear the hat or what is special about the hat.
Enjoy your search for different hats!
.Last week, Tot 1 could not get enough of hatmaking, so I have the feeling we'll be expanding upon our collages as well. I'll draw the shape of a hat that the tots will like to decorate, and then put out craft materials like confetti, pompoms, tissue paper, jewels, etc… Once their hats are decorated, we will make up a story about who would wear the hat or what is special about the hat.
Enjoy your search for different hats!
STEM Sunday: Measuring
June 21, 2015 08:51 PM
For our first STEM Sunday, we are going to do the science and math of milliners (hatmakers). It's time to pull out our measuring tapes and determine head sizes. We will run it a bit like an experiment though. First, I will ask the kids if they think we all have the same size head (question). Then, they will guess order of head sizes in our family from big to small (hypothesis). Next, we will collect the data by measuring the circumference and length of our heads (experiment). Finally, we will analyze the data and answer a few questions: 1) Whose head is the biggest? 2) Whose head is the smallest? 3) How do we compare to the averages provided? (analysis and conclusion). I've provided a list of average head sizes below to make your comparisons.
Depending on how excited the tots get about experimenting, we might come up with a few more questions and hypotheses about hats. 1) Could we find a hat that fits everyone in our family? 2)How does the length of our head compare to the circumferences of our heads? Have fun making discoveries about your heads!
UPDATE:
We had a blast measuring and made some discoveries. As I already knew, I have a small head coming in a whole inch and a half below average adult head size! The tots are right on track with their head sizes. Of course we couldn't just stop at measuring heads, we measured and compared lots of our body parts. The most surprising find was that Tot 2 is actually bigger around on certain body parts including his forearm and neck. It makes sense because Tot 1 is such a skinny mini, but it was fun to measure and know for a fact that little brother is measuring up to big sister! Tot 1 had so much fun measuring that she grabbed a ribbon and decided to make her own measuring tape. She's still too young to have made correct units on the ribbon on her own, but i was proud to see her initiate making her own tool. I hope your tots had fun with this activity too!
Depending on how excited the tots get about experimenting, we might come up with a few more questions and hypotheses about hats. 1) Could we find a hat that fits everyone in our family? 2)How does the length of our head compare to the circumferences of our heads? Have fun making discoveries about your heads!
Average Head Sizes (Circumference)
- Preemie - 12 inches
- Newborn - 14 inches
- Baby (6mo) - 16 inches
- Toddler (12mo) - 18 inches
- Child or Teen - 20 inches
- Adult - 22.5 inches
UPDATE:
We had a blast measuring and made some discoveries. As I already knew, I have a small head coming in a whole inch and a half below average adult head size! The tots are right on track with their head sizes. Of course we couldn't just stop at measuring heads, we measured and compared lots of our body parts. The most surprising find was that Tot 2 is actually bigger around on certain body parts including his forearm and neck. It makes sense because Tot 1 is such a skinny mini, but it was fun to measure and know for a fact that little brother is measuring up to big sister! Tot 1 had so much fun measuring that she grabbed a ribbon and decided to make her own measuring tape. She's still too young to have made correct units on the ribbon on her own, but i was proud to see her initiate making her own tool. I hope your tots had fun with this activity too!
Sing it Saturday: Playlist
June 20, 2015 06:10 PM
Music is an important learning tool, especially in early learning. Songs help children practice their listening skills, reduce stress especially during transition, and flex their memory muscles. Check out this great post about the research behind the learning with music on Community Play Things. Today I made a playlist on Spotify relating to Happy Birthday, Madame Chapeau You'll find some hats songs, some french songs, and some number and color songs. It's time to dance and sing!
You'll find some hats songs, some french songs, and some number and color songs. It's time to dance and sing!Foodie Friday: Taste Testing
June 19, 2015 12:52 AM
A book set in France is bound to have some good food learning opportunities! Today, we will try Madame Chapeau's favorite meal; a sliver of gouda, a plum, and a scone. I also plan to put 4 different cheeses on a plate to see which they like best. If the apple hasn't fallen far from the tree, they will love all kinds of cheese!
A taste test can be a scary thing for a 4 year old, but it can also open a door to new foods for her. I'm hoping to get away with a blindfold taste test so she can't judge the food by look alone, but I am also realistic, and she could refuse to eat anything. I'm hoping that Tot 2 will play along without hesitation!
I looked up a few blogs for some tips on doing taste tests with kids. 100 Days of Real Food offers some good advice about how to handle the flat out refusal:
i love this post on My Kids Adventures! The author provides a good reminder for us parents checking our own expectations,
Let's see how this goes! Follow us on social media to see how adventurous my tots are with their taste buds! Don't forget to scroll down for Think About It Thursday and to check on the update for Word Wednesday!
A taste test can be a scary thing for a 4 year old, but it can also open a door to new foods for her. I'm hoping to get away with a blindfold taste test so she can't judge the food by look alone, but I am also realistic, and she could refuse to eat anything. I'm hoping that Tot 2 will play along without hesitation!
I looked up a few blogs for some tips on doing taste tests with kids. 100 Days of Real Food offers some good advice about how to handle the flat out refusal:
When a couple of the kids told me they were really apprehensive about trying these new foods (okay, in their words, “I hate all of these foods and do NOT want to eat them at all!), I told them the only way to play the game was to try the foods. I also said that trying a food they didn’t like wouldn’t hurt them (rest assured), and that they could spit it out if they wanted to. One kid in particular was still giving me push back, so I also suggested just touching the food to her tongue instead of eating it, and that worked (which is major progress for those that are super picky/limited).
i love this post on My Kids Adventures! The author provides a good reminder for us parents checking our own expectations,
It’s also important to set expectations for yourself: • Your children will not turn into gourmets in one hour. • Don’t be disappointed if they don’t like what they taste or if they find it difficult to try things. • They will not magically develop cooking skills or an affinity for all of the foods in your test. • Have patience. You learned once too. • This will make a mess. Don’t start cleaning up until after the taste test is over. Children must not feel that experimenting with food is a messy problem to you. • Keep it fun.
Let's see how this goes! Follow us on social media to see how adventurous my tots are with their taste buds! Don't forget to scroll down for Think About It Thursday and to check on the update for Word Wednesday!
Think About It Thursday
June 18, 2015 10:02 PM
Sometimes you make a plan, but it gets thwarted by a toddler and a preschooler. Or is that just me?
Our #wordwednesday activity got pushed to today, so we are officially a day behind in our planned activities. Which brings me to a new decision for how I'll keep this blog up to date. While I love my categories for daily activities, flexibility is key when working with kids, or any age for that matter! Although this blog isn't even a week old, here is the new format:
Today was supposed to be Think About it Thursday. On Thursdays we will tackle some discussion questions and/or do some problem solving. When we read through Happy Birthday, Madame Chapeau again, I'll ask my tots these questions:
Please share your child's answers in the comments!
Our #wordwednesday activity got pushed to today, so we are officially a day behind in our planned activities. Which brings me to a new decision for how I'll keep this blog up to date. While I love my categories for daily activities, flexibility is key when working with kids, or any age for that matter! Although this blog isn't even a week old, here is the new format:
- I will keep my daily monikers, and share about the slated activity, however, I will not force my kids to do what I want, when I want for the sake of a blog schedule :)
- Hopefully my children will be as excited about the activity as I am, so I will share our experiences on Facebook and Instagram with the hashtag for the daily activity, e.g. #thinkaboutitthursday
- In the event that my children divert from the plan, I will hope that one of my followers has more accommodating kids and point you to their success!
Today was supposed to be Think About it Thursday. On Thursdays we will tackle some discussion questions and/or do some problem solving. When we read through Happy Birthday, Madame Chapeau
again, I'll ask my tots these questions:- Do you think there is a way the Madame Chapeau could have gotten her hat back from the crow? How would you get it back?
- Who do you think gave her that hat? Let's see if there are any clues in the illustrations.
- If you saw Madame Chapeau had lost her hat, what would you do to make her feel better?
Please share your child's answers in the comments!
Word Wednesday: Rhyming and Vocabulary
June 17, 2015 12:16 AM
Undoubtedly, Andrea Beaty has a wonderful way with words! There is a great rhythm to Happy Birthday, Madame Chapeau, and it even rhymes! Rhyming is an important pre-literacy skill that should be practiced often using real words or made up words. Did you ever wonder why you were taught nursery rhymes? It's not just because they are fun to say, but the cadence and rhyming taught you how language works by helping you notice sounds and patterns within words and phrases. Rhyming also helps children learn to predict when reading, and that's what we're going to do today. We are going to read through Happy Birthday Madame Chapeau for the third time this week, and I am going to leave out some rhyming words and have my tots fill in the blank when I pause. Do this with your child and you will be amazed how well she can start to predict patterns and word sounds.
Not only does she use rhymes, but Andrea Beaty introduces a lot of vocabulary to young readers in this story. I've made a Madame Chapeau glossary using the website Kids Wordsmyth, so take a look at all the words you can teach your tot while reading this entertaining book. And, don't worry, we'll get to all that delicious food vocabulary on Foodie Fridays!
Each Wednesday that we read Happy Birthday Madame Chapeau, we will take one or a few words and explore more. This week we're playing with boutique and merchant. Sounds like it's time to go shopping!
UPDATE:
Word Wednesday became Word Thursday, but it was a blast! We headed over to the "boutique," One of A Kind Hats, and the "merchant" was delightfully welcoming. Most of the hats were what one would see at the Kentucky Derby, high tea, or church. Though the hats were fancy, it didn't stop the merchant from allowing my tots to have a little fun. Tot 1 pulled out the book and asked the merchant to read it to her. Not surprisingly, the merchant obliged. We ended up leaving the boutique with a glamorous headband and an "elsa blue" fascinator. This mama plans to "borrow" the fascinator! I'll share a few pictures below, but for more connect with us on social media.
, and it even rhymes! Rhyming is an important pre-literacy skill that should be practiced often using real words or made up words. Did you ever wonder why you were taught nursery rhymes? It's not just because they are fun to say, but the cadence and rhyming taught you how language works by helping you notice sounds and patterns within words and phrases. Rhyming also helps children learn to predict when reading, and that's what we're going to do today. We are going to read through Happy Birthday Madame Chapeau for the third time this week, and I am going to leave out some rhyming words and have my tots fill in the blank when I pause. Do this with your child and you will be amazed how well she can start to predict patterns and word sounds.Not only does she use rhymes, but Andrea Beaty introduces a lot of vocabulary to young readers in this story. I've made a Madame Chapeau glossary using the website Kids Wordsmyth, so take a look at all the words you can teach your tot while reading this entertaining book. And, don't worry, we'll get to all that delicious food vocabulary on Foodie Fridays!
Each Wednesday that we read Happy Birthday Madame Chapeau, we will take one or a few words and explore more. This week we're playing with boutique and merchant. Sounds like it's time to go shopping!
UPDATE:
Word Wednesday became Word Thursday, but it was a blast! We headed over to the "boutique," One of A Kind Hats, and the "merchant" was delightfully welcoming. Most of the hats were what one would see at the Kentucky Derby, high tea, or church. Though the hats were fancy, it didn't stop the merchant from allowing my tots to have a little fun. Tot 1 pulled out the book and asked the merchant to read it to her. Not surprisingly, the merchant obliged. We ended up leaving the boutique with a glamorous headband and an "elsa blue" fascinator. This mama plans to "borrow" the fascinator! I'll share a few pictures below, but for more connect with us on social media.
Take A Look Tuesday: Spot It
June 16, 2015 07:00 AM
Today on Take A Look Tuesday, we will look at the detailed illustrations by David Roberts, and ask our tots to find some repeated elements included in the drawings of Happy Birthday, Madame Chapeau.
1) You may not have noticed the mouse that tends to follow Madame Chapeau around town, but take a look for him as you read today. He's not on every page, but when he is there, he is a fun addition.
2) The little girl who gives Madame Chapeau her birthday gift actually arrives pretty early in the story, and we see her on several pages too. Notice that she's holding yarn and knitting needles, what color is her yarn?
3) Don't forget about that rascally crow! He pops up on a lot of pages too, and he seems to be enjoying the hat he stole!
4) Do you notice any other characters that show up on more than a page or two? What are they doing in each scene?
Have fun spotting Madame Chapeau's companions! Next Tuesday we'll study the illustrations more and work with numbers! Also check out this demo of David Roberts working his magic!
.1) You may not have noticed the mouse that tends to follow Madame Chapeau around town, but take a look for him as you read today. He's not on every page, but when he is there, he is a fun addition.
2) The little girl who gives Madame Chapeau her birthday gift actually arrives pretty early in the story, and we see her on several pages too. Notice that she's holding yarn and knitting needles, what color is her yarn?
3) Don't forget about that rascally crow! He pops up on a lot of pages too, and he seems to be enjoying the hat he stole!
4) Do you notice any other characters that show up on more than a page or two? What are they doing in each scene?
Have fun spotting Madame Chapeau's companions! Next Tuesday we'll study the illustrations more and work with numbers! Also check out this demo of David Roberts working his magic!
Our First Make Something Monday
June 15, 2015 08:45 AM
It's Make Something Monday, and what else would we make with Madame Chapeau, but our own hats! Our plan for today is to read through Happy Birthday, Madame Chapeau and discuss the different hats that she makes and the different hats that her community offers her. We will see what my tots are inspired by then gather resources to make our own :) Will we make a sombrero, a chef hat, a derby, or an original creation? See below for pictures of our adventure and follow me on Instagram for more pictures of our hat making pursuits! Also, if you need inspiration from a real milliner, check out this video of one of the milliners who inspired the illustrations of Happy Birthday, Madame Chapeau.
After looking at the different hats in the book, and a minor meltdown that we couldn't make the "ice cream hat," as Tot 1 calls it (the purple swirling one in the beginning), we decided to make a nice hat like the one Madame Chapeau lost. Tot 1's favorite color is blue these days, so we did change the black base to blue. It was easy enough. I traced a paper plate onto foam, then cut out the circle. Next I cut halfway to across and overlapped the edges to make a beanie. Tot 1 helped secure the edges and the heart, then she put glitter on the feather and stuck it in her hat. Sounds like we need to reword Yankee Doodle for her! :)
Now that she was dressed properly in her frou-frou dress and her Madame Chapeau hat, she got to work on making special hats for Tot 2 and me. She worked for about an hour on our hats, and she even asked if she could work on them tomorrow! Even though it's Take A Look Tuesday tomorrow, I of course said yes. Who am I to stop her creativity?!
Here is my very own Madame Chapeau matching hats to her people and painstakingly attaching each bauble:
My hat was made of a black foam circle, glitter foam in purple and silver, a feather in the back with a dangling string of yellow beads on the other side, and a dangling string of blue beads in the front. Perhaps a modern take on the graduation cap?
If you would like some inspiration to make your own hats check out my Pinterest Board called Make Something Monday! And check out Andrea Beaty's post Hats! Hats! Hats! Then, share your creations on Instagram with the hashtags #makesomethingmonday , #totbookclub , #madamechapeau
Thanks for sharing in our fun!
and discuss the different hats that she makes and the different hats that her community offers her. We will see what my tots are inspired by then gather resources to make our own :) Will we make a sombrero, a chef hat, a derby, or an original creation? See below for pictures of our adventure and follow me on Instagram for more pictures of our hat making pursuits! Also, if you need inspiration from a real milliner, check out this video of one of the milliners who inspired the illustrations of Happy Birthday, Madame Chapeau.After looking at the different hats in the book, and a minor meltdown that we couldn't make the "ice cream hat," as Tot 1 calls it (the purple swirling one in the beginning), we decided to make a nice hat like the one Madame Chapeau lost. Tot 1's favorite color is blue these days, so we did change the black base to blue. It was easy enough. I traced a paper plate onto foam, then cut out the circle. Next I cut halfway to across and overlapped the edges to make a beanie. Tot 1 helped secure the edges and the heart, then she put glitter on the feather and stuck it in her hat. Sounds like we need to reword Yankee Doodle for her! :)
Now that she was dressed properly in her frou-frou dress and her Madame Chapeau hat, she got to work on making special hats for Tot 2 and me. She worked for about an hour on our hats, and she even asked if she could work on them tomorrow! Even though it's Take A Look Tuesday tomorrow, I of course said yes. Who am I to stop her creativity?!
Here is my very own Madame Chapeau matching hats to her people and painstakingly attaching each bauble:
My hat was made of a black foam circle, glitter foam in purple and silver, a feather in the back with a dangling string of yellow beads on the other side, and a dangling string of blue beads in the front. Perhaps a modern take on the graduation cap?
If you would like some inspiration to make your own hats check out my Pinterest Board called Make Something Monday! And check out Andrea Beaty's post Hats! Hats! Hats! Then, share your creations on Instagram with the hashtags #makesomethingmonday , #totbookclub , #madamechapeau
Thanks for sharing in our fun!
Happy Birthday Madame Chapeau
June 13, 2015 10:55 PM
This month, we're featuring the lovely Happy Birthday Madame Chapeau, by Andrea Beaty, and Illustrated by David Roberts.
This author/illustrator duo has two other fantastic books, but Happy Birthday Madame Chapeau is a current favorite in our house. We meet a lonely hatmaker, Madame Chapeau, whom we follow on her birthday as she prepares for her annual restaurant tradition but loses her hat along the way. The charming illustrations provide for abundant opportunities to count, to pick favorites, to identify colors, and to spot a silly mouse on several pages. Your child will encounter numerous new vocabulary words, and there are several opportunities for springboarding into more in-depth studies. Join my tots and me as we stroll along and celebrate with Madame Chapeau.
Check out the Andrea Beaty's website for more information and activities with this fantastic book!