Read and Learn

By TDmonthly Staff
June 2005

Article Synopsis
It doesn´t take much to turn a kid into a reader.
Even math can be summer fun.
Both parents and kids appreciate educational books with great graphics and text.
Reading is one of life’s great little pleasures, and it only takes a nudge and a prod to turn a child into a reader. Kids can even get excited about math through reading fun new math game books — some of which will be promoted by Googol Learning this summer as part of their online math contest.

The following books are great reads for kids, but parents will also appreciate the lessons that each one imparts. Wonderfully illustrated and uniquely told, these titles will delight kids and teach them something, too.

Shinky & Misty by BLUE ZEBRA ENTERTAINMENT INC.

Shinky & Misty by BLUE ZEBRA ENTERTAINMENT INC. Illustrated by Hiromi Murphey and written by Craig Pruitt, this series of adventure stories emphasizes the importance of listening to and obeying one´s parents. These hardcover books are 8.5" x 5.5" and 32 pages long. Titles include "Don´t Let the Monkey Drive!," "Monkeys Can´t Fly!," and "Monkeys Can´t Cook!" 4/21/2005 (Age: 3 to 5)

Daily Summer Activities by EVAN-MOOR EDUCATIONAL PUBLISHERS

Daily Summer Activities by EVAN-MOOR EDUCATIONAL PUBLISHERS According to the John Hopkins University´s Center for Summer Learning, all young people experience learning losses when they do not engage in educational activities during the summer months. Parents looking to keep learning alive at home during summer vacation can turn to Daily Summer Activities, a series of resource books for grades PreK-5 from Evan-Moor Educational Publishers, a leading publisher of learning materials for kindergarten through sixth grade. Developed by educators, Daily Summer Activities is designed to help children make a successful transition from one grade to the next. Using these books, children can practice age-appropriate activities in the major subject areas by completing 10 weekly units. Each unit provides two pages of short, focused practice for every day of the week. 4/18/2005

Near One Cattail: Turtles, Logs and Leaping Frogs by DAWN PUBLICATIONS

This nature story, written by Anthony Fredericks and illustrated by Jennifer DiRubbio, introduces children to critters and bugs that abound in wetlands. This title is sold for $8.95 in paperback and $16.95 in hardback. 3/8/2005 (MSRP: $8.95; Age: 4 to 10)

My Little Doctor Bag Book by PICTURE ME PRESS

My Little Doctor Bag Book by PICTURE ME PRESS This 7” by 8” book allows children to play doctor. Shaped like a first aid kit, the book has pull-tabs, lift-a-flaps, and a handle on top so it can be toted. It tells the story of a little doctor treating her stuffed bear from home. 3/21/2005 (MSRP: $7.99)

The Never Bored Kid Book by EVAN-MOOR EDUCATIONAL PUBLISHERS

The Never Bored Kid Book by EVAN-MOOR EDUCATIONAL PUBLISHERS Every parent knows what it’s like when the kids are bored and nothing seems to strike their fancy. In those moments, count on The Never-Bored Kid Book series to come to the rescue. These books contain hours of constructive fun! There are drawing lessons, crafts, 3-D constructions, hidden pictures, puzzles, dot-to-dots, riddles and more. All kids need are a few simple supplies such as scissors, glue, tape, crayons and marking pens. 5/17/2005 (MSRP: $9.99)

Love, Ruby Lavender by HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT

Love, Ruby Lavender by HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT Love, Ruby Lavender, an ALA Notable Children’s Book and Parent’s Guide Children’s Media Award Winner, is the story of 9-year-old Ruby Lavender and her relationship with her grandmother, Miss Eula, in small town Halleluia, Mississippi. When Miss Eula leaves town to visit her baby granddaughter in Hawaii, Ruby is in for some excitement. Noted as a lively and humorous story by the School Library Journal, this book by Deborah Wiles is perfect for any young reader 8 to 12 years old. 5/17/2005

Please Bury Me in the Library by HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT

This title, written by J. Patrick Lewis and illustrated by Kyle M. Stone, features 16 poems with corresponding illustrations. Lewis’ poems range in theme from the jocular (“What If Books Had Different Names?”) to the serious (“Conversation on a Leaf”) to the funny (“Three Haiku”). Lewis’ love of language and of reading will be passed on to any child who grabs hold of this book, while Stone’s beautiful illustrations are sure to keep kids interested after many readings. 5/17/2005

Dick and Jane: We Play and Pretend by GROSSET & DUNLAP

Generations of American children learned to read with Dick and Jane, and many still cherish the memory of reading the simple stories on their own. Today, Pearson Scott Foresman is committed to helping all children learn and love to read. As part of Pearson Education, the world’s largest educational publisher, Pearson Scott Foresman is honored to reissue these classic Dick and Jane stories, with Grosset & Dunlap. Featuring a short, highly readable story, colorful illustrations and a large, easy-to-read typeface, Dick and Jane will surely teach kids to read for generations to come. 5/17/2005

White on Black by GREENWILLOW BOOKS

White on Black by GREENWILLOW BOOKS This board book by photographer Tana Hoban, like "Black on White," offers high-contrast images that excite young minds. The two books are used by parents and educators alike. 5/10/2005 (MSRP: $5.99)

Machines at Work by HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS

Machines at Work by HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS This board book by Byron Barton shows workers gathering at a construction site, driving vehicles and using heavy equipment. The busy day is captured in brightly-colored pages and rhythmic text. 5/10/2005 (MSRP: $6.99)