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Welcome! Before we dive in to sharing the best children’s books, I want to give you some basics on using the featured books for learning.

First of all, my training and experience is focused mainly on toddler-grade 1, so that is where the majority of books and activities will fall. If you have a specific age or topic in mind, please refer to the tags in the right column of the blog. Those will help you find exactly what you are looking for!  If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please leave a comment with your request and I will do my best to fulfill your need!

Second, for every book featured I have written a lesson plan, complete with suggested discussion topics and extension activities. For the time being, those lesson plans will be available at my store on Teachers Pay Teachers. In each post, I will provide a link to the lesson plan as well as a link to Amazon where the book can be purchased. These are affiliate links and in advance I appreciate your business!

Lastly, each lesson plan is built on the belief that young children learn through repetition. The books are not meant to be used once and put back on the shelf. The more they are read, the more they are loved. My method uses a 3-Stage Reading Process. This means each book will be read at least  three times over three separate occasions. My method can be used easily both in the classroom and at home. The Stages are as follows:

1. Enjoy.
   1. Simply read the story for fun!
   2. Go through the pages slowly, without rushing. Give time for children to take in the whole story–words and illustrations together.
   3. In the classroom, this step would probably work best during a Morning Meeting or Read-Aloud time, since it is purely for fun.
2. Observe.
   1. Point out things which can be observed, such as an interesting detail in the illustrations or a rhyme in the story.
   2. Allow time for children to make observations as well.
   3. Ask “easy” questions children can answer simply by looking at the book or having heard the story.
   4. In the classroom, this step may take place during the same period as the first; depending on time, it is totally okay to read a book twice! It may also be later the same day, or repeated at the same time the following day. Modify this for YOUR needs!
3. Discuss.
   1. Ask open-ended questions about the story. These are questions in the who, what, when, where, and why family.
   2. When you ask a question, give children a moment to think–don’t rush to answer your own question!
   3. After receiving answers, confirm or correct the answers and expand the discussion as time and attention allows.
   4. In the classroom, this would work best at the beginning of a Reading time with time allotted afterward for extension activities or Centers.

I am so glad you are here!