Latest news with #storytime
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Read 2 Succeed: Keep the reading spark alive this summer
Provided by Read 2 Succeed (R2S), a local independent literacy nonprofit in Asheville supporting children 0 – 5, elementary students, families and community partners. Learn more at As the school year winds down, one of the most enjoyable ways to keep the reading spark alive with your kids is through simple, fun read-alouds. You don't need a teaching degree to make story time special! Here are five easy ideas to try: Before you even start reading the story, take a peek at the front and back covers, the colorful jacket, and even the spine. Ask your child, "What do you think this book will be about just by looking at the front and back?" or "Did you know we can sometimes find out about the author on one of these first pages?" It's like a little treasure hunt before the adventure begins! As you read, encourage your child to make predictions of all kinds. What do they think will happen next? How do they think the character feels based on their facial expressions? Why will a character do what they think they will do? Even silly guesses are great! This helps their brains think about the story and use their imaginations. The pictures in a story have so much more to say than the words sometimes. Pause during your read-alouds to explore illustrations. Are there little hidden clues as to what else is happening in the story? Can you tell how characters feel based on how they are drawn? Can you tell the time of day or setting of the story? Have fun looking at the drawings and then letting your child make their own! Highlight vocabulary words as you read and stop to discuss their meaning and how the words are used in the story. Not sure what words to focus on? A good rule of thumb is to pull out words with multiple meanings, new or unfamiliar words, and words where your child's understanding of them can grow over time. For example, the word 'blue' can be a color as well as a feeling. The well-known sequence of 'Who? What? When? Where? Why?' aptly fits the formula for comprehension questions to ask your child during read-alouds. Even if it feels too simple for you as an adult, a young reader's ability to identify characters, the sequence of events, settings, character motivations, and plot lend themselves to building a robust set of comprehension skills that will apply across different texts and future school grades. Download a free printable Family Reading Guide from Read 2 Succeed with these pro tips and more read-alouds a regular part of your day doesn't have to be complicated. These little moments of sharing stories can build a strong foundation for reading and create wonderful memories together. Happy reading! Your guide to things to do in Asheville and WNC this week Bonus Books: A head start on summer reading How and when to start solid foods: Here's what to know How to (subtly) kick your almost-grown kid out of the house This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: 5 ways to make story time special
Wall Street Journal
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wall Street Journal
Children's Books: ‘Do You See the Tiger?'
Children, as is well known, can see things that are invisible to adults. Where our jaded eyes perceive a table, a child beholds a secret hideaway. Where you or I might notice clouds of water vapor, someone much younger will observe cotton candy or an incipient genie. Philip Ardagh's lightly rhyming picture book 'Do You See the Tiger?' takes such imaginative divergence to charming lengths. In this story for readers ages 4-7, a little girl and her father go down into the London Underground to catch a train. The girl, Penny, notices that among the straphangers there's a passenger with distinctive feline attributes and a mischievous twinkle in his eye. Does she see a tiger? According to David Melling's exuberant illustrations, she does: The great cat is right there, its massive paws and black-and-orange fur hidden beneath a commuter's bland attire of hat and coat. Penny's father sees . . . nothing. He is, after all, an adult taking mass transportation, and if there's any place that people his age zone out, it's the subway. When a small boy drops his stuffed animal while getting off the train, Penny and the tiger establish a glorious rapport. When it's Penny's turn to leave, the tiger bids her farewell with a terrific roar. Says Penny's oblivious father on the platform: 'Can't complain, / but that really was a noisy train!' As for his daughter: 'This was Penny's best day ever. / She would remember it / FOREVER.' Sean E. Avery relates an amusing, low-key tale of invention and perseverance in the picture book 'Frank's Red Hat.' In collage illustrations that evoke the monochromatic iciness of Antarctica, we meet a penguin named Frank, an ideas guy who comes up with a newfangled doohickey for keeping the head warm. His fellow penguins are dubious: They've never seen a hat before, let alone a red hat, and they don't like it. We see Frank holding the worrisome item out to a friend to try. 'I promise you will be fine,' Frank says. 'But Neville was not fine,' we read, for a passing orca chooses that moment to leap from the sea and eat Neville 'in one big bite.' Now the penguins are leerier than ever about Frank and his 'evil' invention. Perhaps in a different color? Frank rapidly knits hats in other hues (all nicely labeled) of azure, magenta, apricot, coral and lime. Alas, there's still no market for his product—or so he thinks, until he finds a receptive new consumer base in this optimistic fable for readers ages 5-8. Tiffany Stone's humorous seek-and-find counting book 'Six Little Sticks,' illustrated by Ruth Hengeveld, features an insect known for its skill at camouflage. The conceit of the story is that a mother stick bug plans to teach her six babies how to stay safe by concealing themselves, but before she has a chance to start her lesson, the babies hide themselves, one by one. 'No little sticks. / Six sticks are gone. / Is Mama worried? Is Mama mad? / No. Look, Mama is really . . . glad!' Sharp-eyed young readers will enjoy searching the pictures for tiny, comic clues as to the whereabouts of the babies as they practice counting down from six to one and back up again to six and beyond.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
70+ Adorable Examples of What to Write in a Baby Shower Book
You can't go wrong with giving greeting cards with baby gifts, but there's a wonderful new twist on the gifting tradition. Instead of a card, guests bring a book to the baby shower to start a nursery library for the new baby. Knowing what to write in a baby shower book can make the gift even more special. We have tons of inspiration for baby book inscriptions — from meaningful, tear-jerking notes to funny lines that will make the parents (and maybe even the baby) smile every time they read them. You'll be part of story time for a long time to come with these sweet baby shower book messages. Even though you're giving this book to the parents, it's the baby who will be the real recipient. Let your message talk directly to this new little reader with these fun ideas. Can't wait to meet you and see you turn each page of your future. Welcome to story time, little one. Here's to the magic of a whole lifetime of reading! You're the main character in your own story, and it's a tale I can't wait to watch. Snuggle in and listen, little one. Welcome to the world of words and magic, baby. Nothing quite like story time snuggles to make you love reading, and I know you'll get plenty. Bring on the magic of stories. Yours will be a page-turner. I've loved you since before I laid eyes on you, and I'll love you long after my eyesight's gone. Escape to these pages whenever you need a reminder that someone is always looking out for you. If you know the baby's name already, use it in the inscription. If not, you can simply say "baby" or "little one." Be sure to sign your name and add the date you're giving the book. This new baby boy or baby girl will bring so much joy to the lives of everyone around them, you included! Whether you're an aunt, grandmother, godparent, or best friend, you need to know just what to write in a baby book to send a cute message to that special someone you have yet to meet. These baby book inscriptions are perfect, regardless of gender. We waited so patiently for you, sweet baby, and we can not wait to see the story of your life unfold. Baby, your arrival makes everyone believe that fairy tales really do come true. Little one, your arrival has certainly been the greatest plot twist to your parents' story. Grow your imagination, sweet baby, and never stop dreaming, learning, and living. Beautiful, bright, and full of light. Your arrival has brought so much joy to those around you already. While your tale is just beginning, we know that the story of your life will be epic. Darling baby, wishing you a lifetime of love, health, and adventure. Hoping you have a lifetime full of beautiful stories and sweet dreams, little one. You will move mountains without fail, and we can't wait to hear about your life's tale. Here's to a life full of love, a world full of adventure, and shelves full of books. May you always find whatever it is you're searching for, dearest one. If you can choose to live anywhere, dear one, choose to live within the pages of a good book. Dream a little dream, read a little book, live a lot of life. Related: If you don't know the parents-to-be all that well, you can still write a sweet message to their baby in a book. Whether it's a storybook-themed shower or a traditional one with books instead of cards, these adorable messages will make anyone smile. Baby, I hope your family's story is the sweetest. There are no better blessings than you, baby. Sometimes, all you need to go on an adventure is a clear head and a book in hand. Two of the best things come in small packages: babies and books! Read on, little one. Here's to a lifetime of great stories ahead. Your story is just beginning. Coming up with funny things to write in a baby book isn't always easy, but the effort is well worth the smile you'll get. We love these funny inscriptions. I can't wait to watch your parents grow to hate this book after reading it for the 17th time in a row. This book has exactly what your parents will need on those sleep-deprived nights. Lots of pictures and few words. Dear baby boy/girl/little one: The sooner you learn to read this, the better prepared you'll be to start applying for those college scholarships. Some people say life is an unwritten story, but what's wrong with it being like this children's book? Simple, colorful, and doesn't take too much work to figure it out. Dear baby: If I can give you a piece of advice as you grow up, it's this: You should never live without coffee, chocolate, and a good book. What do good books and good friends have in common? They'll both take you places you never thought you could go. When you get older, you may not remember everyone's names, but you'll always remember your favorite characters. If you're scrambling to come up with something meaningful and personal, use these example inscriptions and personalize them with your own ideas. With these prompts, you'll end up with cute, creative notes to write in a baby shower book that take little effort but show plenty of heart. This was one of my favorite books as a kid. I loved it because ___________. Without books, I would never have achieved ____________ or learned ____________. Love books, and you will soar. When I saw this book, I knew it would be perfect for you. It's __________ and __________, just like I know your life will be. Books can be your best friends. They will never ____________ and always _________. Turning the pages of a book makes me remember just what is most important in life: _________ and _________. When you open the pages of a good book, it will _____________________. Never underestimate the power of a good book. It will __________________. Flipping through the pages of this book, I'm reminded of the best things in life: __________, __________, and ___________. Books are so much more than words on a page. Hold them close to your heart and _____________. While the baby shower book is meant for the baby, it's the parents who'll be reading it repeatedly to them. Just like the perfect clever caption for baby photos, the right baby book message will be unforgettable. Support the new parents in your baby shower book inscription with these great examples. Another page turned in the book of life and in the book in your lap. They're finally here! Congrats on this newest chapter in life. Days are long, and years are short. Take precious moments to cuddle and read. Congrats on your new baby! Every single day of your life will become the greatest adventure you ever had. Fill your days of parenthood with love, memories, and so many stories. These days of parenthood are true page-turners. Just when you thought that you had already read every story, a baby came, and the genre of life completely changed. What wonderful parents you will be to this new character in your tale. Everyone wants to be the hero in the book, and to this baby, that role forever belongs to you. One more snuggle, one more book. This brand-new baby will have you hooked. As you are reading stories to your baby before bed, know that the look she gives you, the one boring into your soul, is the true look of complete and utter love. Hold her/him close. The long nights of rocking, cuddling, and reading won't last forever. Enjoy every minute of them. All that wishing upon stars worked. Your little dream is finally here. While you feed your baby's body, let these pages feed their mind. When should you write the baby book message to the parents instead of the baby? Talking directly to the parents works well if you know them well and want to acknowledge that bond. If you're just casual friends, write your note to the baby instead. Whether you're writing your inscription to the parents-to-be or the new little one, sometimes the perfect words come from a book or writer. We love these classics. "We love you to the moon and back and around once more." - Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney "Little one, the world is your oyster. Grow big and strong and set the universe aflame." - The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin "Darling, when you call, I'll come running." - The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein "When it comes to the family lottery, you hit the jackpot, little baby." - Welcome to the World by Steve Wilson "Wonderful baby, wish upon a star. Never forget you are loved for who you are." - I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal "Little caterpillar, grow big, learn lots and become the beautiful butterfly we know you can be." - The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle "You're off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting so… get on your way!" - Oh, The Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss "We all can dance if we find the music that we love." - Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andeae "Inside all of us is Hope. Inside all of us is Fear. Inside all of us is Adventure. Inside all of us is - A Wild Thing." - Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak "Baby, if you can dream it, you can be it." - The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin It's not always easy to know what to write in a baby book, but it's also tricky to choose the perfect one to give. These tips can help you buy (and give) the right book for this new baby. Think about books you loved as a kid. These can be perfect gifts, since great books never go out of style. Lean into the board books, since they can take a lot more love (and abuse) from little fingers than traditional paper pages. Take a few minutes to browse in a bookstore if you want to find something new to give. Holding the book in your hands can help you get a sense for what it's really like. Talk to young parents for recommendations about what they like. If you give a book parents love to read, they'll be way more likely to make it a regular part of the baby's reading routine. Knowing what to write in a book for a baby comes down to adding your own personal message to the inscription. As long as it's from the heart right from the start, the expecting family (and new little one) will love whatever message comes to mind.
