Book Spark = Brain Spark

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Nightmares!

Of all the books we read over Christmas break, Nightmares! by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller was the biggest hit.

It’s a fabulous look at how children learn, grow, and conquer fears.

It’s a good mix of creepy, fun and growth from experience.

Nightmares! offers opportunities to talk about:

Fears

Friends

Family

Grieving

Art

Lifestyle choices

Super heroes

Individual strengths and weaknesses

And, things that go bump in the night.

We have dozens of helpful links on our Pinterest board to help you get started.

Are you ready to face a fear?

How about starting with an easy challenge: Charlotte’s pancakes.

More books like this one:

Nightmares! The Sleepwalker Tonic by Jason Segel

House of Secrets by Chris Columbus

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Demon Keeper by Royce Buckingham

No Passengers Beyond This Point by Gennifer Choldenko

The Shadows by Jacqueline West

The Bridge to Terabitha by Katherine Paterson

The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

The Night Before Christmas

Here’s to celebrating one of the most popular Christmas traditions.

The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore (July 15, 1779 – July 10, 1863).

First published December 23, 1823, it’s become an icon of the Christmas season.

So, here’s a couple of versions for you to enjoy.

Here's a link to the iTunes version of the book used in Reading Rainbow story.

What's your favorite version?

Take some time tomorrow to re-tell the story and color a picture or two.

Lastly, in case you’ve ever wondered, here’s a link to making sugar plums.

Happy Christmas everyone!

Thursday, December 18, 2014

A is for Angel- Make Your Own Book

Here's a little different post for you.

Have you ever considered making your own book with your children?

The holidays present all kinds of wonderful pictures of the season: cards, wrapping paper, pictures, well-loved storybooks that are past their prime.

Recycle those pictures and memories to create your own Christmas book with your child.

Bonus points if you're crafty and make the book laminated with Velcro pictures to take on and off for the children to match letters and pictures.

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Princess in Black

Princess in Black by Shannon and Dean Hale is an awesome chapter book that’s fun to read and carries a few great messages as well.

Start your day with some hot chocolate and scones, (We recommend these) and simply talk about all the things that come to mind when you hear the word princess.

Where do these ideas come from? What do you like about them, and what don’t you like?

May we suggest two lovely props for reading this story?

Make a tiara,

And a mask.

Have your child wear each depending on which costume the Princess Magnolia is wearing.

Spend some time comparing the two versions of Princess Magnolia- what is the same, and what is different?

Now go back to your discussion about princesses and see what comes up.

How did the different people in the story treat her? Were there people who just wanted to be able to find mean things to say about her? Were there other people who saw the best in her no matter who she chose to be and wanted to help her?

And most importantly, would you rather be a princess, a super hero or a goat boy? Why?

It’s also worth reading the author interview and trivia found on the official Princess in Black website.

Ready to take things to the next level? On our Pinterest page we offer tutorials on how to make your own glitter ring, cape, and ninja staff. Go Princess Magnolia!

Thursday, November 27, 2014

25 Books of Christmas

Have you seen this idea?

You wrap up 25 picture books about Christmas and place them under your tree. Each day your child may choose 1 new book to open and read with you to help count down the days till Christmas.

We think this is a fabulous idea and would like to provide you with a list of 25 (well, okay 30) of our favorite Christmas books for you to consider putting under your own tree.