When I was completing my degree in Early Childhood Education, I had a class in children’s literature. We were required to read over 100 children’s books, some were specified and others were our choice. They ranged from picture books to chapter books, and included various genres.
So, needless to say, the children’s room in the Baldwin County Library and I became very good friends. However, the assignment didn’t stop there.
For each book, we had to come up with a “response to literature.” This included an objective, an evaluation, and at least three activities for each book. Then these were written neatly on large index cards and filed in a box according to genre. Whew, are you tired yet? Even though this assignment was completely time consuming and overwhelming (it didn’t help that I was a ridiculous overachiever at the time and typed each card), I cherish the outcome!
I have loved books as long as I can remember, so this challenge albeit, daunting, was worth every word on those crisp, typed index cards. I used the box for many assignments during my teaching years outside the home, and I continue to use it today. I still like to add to it as well. Granted, the cards are no longer typed but instead hold barely legible handwritten ideas that I’ve enjoyed doing with new books over the years. I also think it will be great to hand the box over to my children one day for their kids!
In our home, every Thursday is our Response to Literature Day. We pick a story and read it together and then we do anything from making a snack, character puppet or mobile. We may take a walk and try to discover things we read about in the story, too. The possibilities are endless when talking about children’s books, so I could go on. Instead, I’ll give you a few of my favorite out loud reads ranging from serious to silly; the first one on the list is my all time fave!
The Rough Face Girl—Rafe Shannon
Skippyjon Jones—Judy Schachner
Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters—John Steptoe
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs—Jon Sciezka
The Mitten—Jan Brett
The Seven Chinese Brothers—Margaret Mahy
Tiki Tiki Tembo—Arlene Mosel
The Little Red Hen—traditional
Imogene’s Antlers—David Small
My Great Aunt Arizona—Gloria Houston
Owl Moon—Jane Yolen
The Relatives Came—Stephen Gammell
Rechenka’s Eggs—Patricia Polacco
Other authors I love:
Don and Audrey Wood
Chris Van Allsburg
Judy Blume
Mo Willems
Maurice Sendak
Of course, the world of children’s literature is vast and deep. This list doesn’t even scratch the surface and I didn’t even touch on chapter books but I hope it gives you some new choices. If you’d like some specific activities for any of these books, the internet is a great resource (as always) or I’d be glad to post more specifically, if needed.
So, here’s to lots of snuggle time while reading and extra creativity while “responding!” What are your favorite books to cuddle up and read with the kids?
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Tiffani can also be found writing at Bears and Belles
photo by Etolane
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
we love *there is a flower at the tip of my nose smelling me* by alice walker.
:)
When my daughter was little she loved the book No Nap by Eve Bunting. We could read it over and over again. When we moved a couple of years ago and filtering through things to give away, she would not part with that book, and it remains on her shelf!
Any story that gives me the opportunity to talk in another voice is a hit with the kids. Their faves are Ferdinand, Caps for Sale, and The Three Billy Goats Gruff. I think my all time favorite (since becoming a mother) is The Country Bunny and the Gold Shoes, by Du Bose Heyward. Owl Moon is on my short list, too.