Submitted by Jill from Leonardtown!
How Do You Wokka-Wokka? by Elizabeth Bluemle is a rhythmic treat with a boppin’ beat. “Some days you wake up and you just gotta wokka… get you dance on.” That’s the case with one youngster who wakes up on a fine morning and sets out through his friendly, culturally diverse city neighborhood to gather up his friends. Each neighbor, when asked the question “How do you wokka-wokka?” shows off their own special dance. Some dance like “flamingos in a flocka,” others like “a clock go ticka-tocka.” As the crowd of dancers grows, the day turns into a rocking, “wokka-wokka party on the block-a” complete with balloons and whole dancing families. You’ve just got to read this book aloud, and follow it up with your own special wokka! See this book listed in our catalog
Interactive
Where to Sleep
Sumitted by Tammy, driver of the WoW van!
Where to Sleep by Kandy Radzinski. I think this would be a great book to read aloud before a nap or bedtime. In this book, children are taken in and around a farmhouse in search of a perfect sleeping spot for a kitten. On one page a sleeping spot is suggested only to be rejected on the next page for various reasons such as noisy, crowded, or spot already taken. The colorful, full page pictures are sure to keep a child’s attention, while the text is simple enough for beginning readers to follow. Children will enjoy sharing the reasons why they think each spot wouldn’t be a good choice, and will be delighted to see where the kitten finally finds to rest.
Just How Long Can a Long String Be?!
Submitted by county youth coordinator Janis!
Just How Long Can a Long String Be?! by Keith Baker. Ant wants to know, just how long can a long string be. Bird answers the question by showing Ant different ways a string can be used: a yo yo, a way to hold a balloon, a top, a mop, a puppet, a hair, a kite, a nest… At the end of the book Ant says, “Thank you, Bird! Now I see a string’s just as long as I need it to be.” This would be a great book to use as a prop story, with a ball of string to retell the book. After reading the story, find other ways to “use” the ball of string. This is a perfect way to promote the Early Literacy Skill of Print Motivation/Vocabulary. Having fun with books is important! It helps your child enter school ready to learn!
The Monster at the End of this Book
Submitted by Jill from Leonardtown!
The Monster at the End of this Book by Jon Stone. Grover, the blue Sesame Street monster, is eager to read this classic Little Golden Book with you, until he reads the title page–and realizes that there will be a MONSTER at the end of this book! And Grover is so SCARED of monsters! Our furry blue friend will spend the next 18 pages trying to prevent you from turning any more pages, and therefore bringing us closer to the end of the book (and the MONSTER)! He tries securing the pages with tape, string, and strong brick walls, but when you reach the next-to-last page, poor Grover is reduced to begging and pleading. Will you turn the final page and face the MONSTER at the end of this book?
Little Bear’s Big Sweater
Submitted by Tess from Lexington Park!
Little Bear’s Big Sweater by David Bedford and Caroline Pedler is a great book about brotherhood, and favorite articles of clothing. Big Bear has grown out of his favorite green striped sweater, and must pass it on to his younger brother, Little Bear. “You better take good care of it,” he says, “It’s my favorite sweater – EVER.” Then the brothers run off to play, Little Bear striving to do everything his big brother can (with mixed results). When the brothers get seperated, a worried Big Bear follows a long green thread into woods, and finds Little Bear, with their unraveled sweater. Little Bear expects quite a lashing, but gets a hug instead. “It’s only a sweater,” Big Bear explains, and in the end Mom makes them both new green striped sweaters!
Sort It Out
Submitted by Tess from Lexington Park!
Sort It Out! by Barbara Mariconda, with illustrations by Sherry Rogers, is a children’s picture book that works on many levels. On one level, it’s a cute story about a Packy the Pack-rat (an awesome name for a character in general), who’s mother insists he put all his things away. On another level, it’s a mystery (his things keep going missing! Wonder if his sneaky kid sister has anything to do with it). On another level it suggests several different ways kids can organize things (by color, shape, material, etc.). And on yet another level it’s an interactive rhyming book: “The turtle, the clover, the skinny string bean, he placed in a pile made of things that are… [say it with me] green!” All in all a fun book for multiple reasons.