Book of the Month: Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten

 

 

Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten? By Audrey Vernick



 

In a few short weeks everyone will be busy buying backpacks and new lunch boxes. But before you do, ask yourself, "Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten?" This is  hilarious little story that I found during a visit to my local library.

 

"Some people say kindergarten is no place for a buffalo.

How crazy is that?

Does your buffalo have a backpack?

Well then. He's definitely ready for kindergarten!"

 

Back to School is my favorite time of year. Here are several other posts filled with activities to get your school year off on the right foot!

• Schools Have Learn
• The Night Before Kindergarten
• It's Back to School We Go
• Will I Have a Friend?
• Chrysanthemum
• Maisy Goes to Preschool
• My Teacher Sleeps in School
• A School Like Mine
• If You Take a Mouse to School
• This is the Way We Go to School
• The Kissing Hand

These two posts include several Back To School Books and many fun-filled activities!

• Book of the Day Activities: The First Day of School
• Book of the Day Activities: Your Best Behavior

 

 



BOOK OF THE MONTH: "Fire! Fire! Said Mrs. Mcguire

"Fire! Fire!" Said Mrs. McGuire

By Bill Martin Jr with updated illustrations by Vladimir Radunsky

 

What treasures I find at my local library! When I saw Bill Martin Jr.'s name on this book, I knew I had to read it and I was not disappointed. I tested the story on my niece (age 5), who asked me to read it twice and the next day, she was proud to read it all on her own. She was able to use her memory of the story, context clues, and her knowledge of letter sounds, rhymes, and sight words to read this one all on her own.

 

"Fire! Fire!" said Mrs. McGuire.

"Where? Where?" said Mrs. Bear.

"Downtown!" said Mrs. Brown.

 

The story features a group of female mice who are very concerned about a "fire" but there's a bit of a surprise at the end. This is a short and simple story but a very humorous way to introduce or reinforce rhyming words.

Book of the Month: Down by the Cool of the Pool

Down by the Cool of the Pool by Tony Mitton

 

It's April! According to the calendar and the daffodils in my front yard, spring is here. There are so many fun things in this tale. The photos are bright and hilarious. The text is not only catchy, but is written in a way that reminds you of ripples in the water.

 

"Down by the pool

in the cool of the day.

Frog cried, "Wheeeee!

Can you dance like me?"

 

Duck came to see.

I can dance too.

But not like you.

I can flap."

 

"So Duck went "flap"

and Frog cried, "Wheeeee!

Can you dance like me?"

 

Down by the cool of the pool.

 

And you can only imagine the fun that ensues as Pig, Sheep, Cat, Dog, and many more animals join in the dance. I'm not sure I can even read this one sitting still! It seems perfect for busy toddlers, active preschoolers, and curious kindergartners!

 

Just like Why Mosquitoes Buzz in Peoples Ears and The Lion and the Mouse, this is a fun way to learn about onomatopoeia; the examples are endless: whooop, wheeeee, plop, splash, and many more!

 

What is your favorite silly story?

Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You

One day in late January, I was in my local bookstore. I wandered over to the children's section, as I often do, to see what book would capture my eye...but instead, I found one that captured by heart. I picked up the book, read it cover to cover, knew I had found the book for my next post, and I knew that today would be the day I'd share it.

Those who read this blog on a regular basis, may remember that I have a very special bond with my niece (now 5) and my nephew (now 2). You see, today, would have been their Mommy's birthday.  And as I stood in the book store that day reading this story, tears flowing rather freely, I felt like this story was sent from heaven just for my family. It reads like a letter from my sister-in-law to her children.

 

"And if someday you’re lonely,
or someday you’re sad,
or you strike out at baseball,
or think you’ve been bad...

just lift up your face, feel the wind in your hair.
That’s me, my sweet baby, my love is right there.

In the green of the grass... in the smell of
the sea... in the clouds floating by...
at the top of a tree... in the sound
crickets make at the end of the day...

“You are loved. You are loved. You are
loved..."

 

It's a wonderfully sweet story that any Mom, Dad, Grandparent or Loved One can read to the little ones in their lives to remind them of all the people who love them - those that are here on Earth and those that are not.

 

 

 

 Other Books by Nancy Tillman: