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Sometimes, judging a book by its cover is a great idea!

We all do it: glancing at a magazine display and deciding if we’re interested in a particular issue.  Or, when checking out new titles at our local library, watching for familiar authors and appealing cover art.

When we share a new picture book with a child, it is worth taking a moment or two to talk about the cover.  We’d like our child to think about what he sees and perhaps make some predictions about the story he is about to hear. Does he like the cover? Does it make him want to check out what is inside?  Does he think it will be a funny story or perhaps a little bit scary?  Does he recognize a familiar character?  Does the cover remind him of any other books you’ve shared?

Whenever possible, we’d like our children to ask themselves, ‘What is going to happen next?’ If as we read, the book takes some unexpected turns, we can always revise our predictions and congratulate the author on surprising us. If your child makes correct predictions, he will gain confidence and will feel competent.   Either way, he is on the path to becoming an active reader – one who is actively engaged what is being read.

Printable PDFs

In this newsletter we are offering four new printables for your use...

Print one copy, cut apart and use it as a sequencing activity (can your child determine the correct order of events?) or, print two, cut apart and use as a matching game.

The Storytime Standouts 2006 March /April newsletter included an Easter crossword puzzle, a St. Patrick’s Day word search, and Spring sight words.  You will find those printables (and many more) archived on our newsletter page.

How to Use a Word Family Flip Book

On the Storytime Standouts Beginning to Read page, we have provided printable word family flip books.  These are perfect for a child who has learned that c – a – t spells cat.  Once your child is able to read ‘cat,’ introducing and practicing the ‘at’ family will help her to see the connection between bat, cat, fat, mat, and pat.  Print one or more pages, cut along the solid lines and then staple the individual letters to the larger box. 

Instructions for making a word family flip book.

Beginning to Read and word family flip books.

New to Storytime Standouts –

Parent / Teacher Resources

Books Featured in my Fall 2006 Parent/Teacher Ed. Programs

Books Featured in my Spring 2006 Parent/Teacher Ed. Programs

Picture Book Classics

New Picture Books
When it is Time to Try a Chapter Book

Beginning to Read

Books for Reluctant Eight Year Olds

Chapter Books You Will Love to Read Aloud

Hockey!

Plenty of Penguins

We have added an Alphabet Song printable to the Alphabet Recognition page.

On the Home Page we’ve added a new article: Why Sharing a Bedtime Story or Two Is Not-to-Be Missed!