BOOKS
Books and readings are not only an invaluable part of everyday life, but can be incorporated into special traditions. These are some of our favorite book ideas:
For Grownups
• Party
Invite each guest to bring a favorite poem, short story, chapter, article, Scripture, journal entry, children’s book, joke, or essay to share. Enjoy breaks for snacks and conversation.
• Chat
When you read something you particularly enjoy, give copies to two or three friends and/or family members with invitations for dinner, tea, or to a coffee shop for a date to talk about the book or passage a few weeks later.
• Journal
You might enjoy keeping a journal with annotations about the best books you’ve read and reflections on the content . Some people might want to use an attractive diary; others might prefer to create a computerized database with fields for the author, genre, date, etc. Your favorites can be shared on sites like http://www.goodreads.com/ or http://www.shelfari.com/.
• Collect
Start a collection of special books that will be read over and over~ for yourself, a friend, or family member. Look for special illustrated or expanded editions.
• Read-Aloud
For couples or roommates: Take turns reading a book or Scriptures out loud to each other.
For Families with Children
• Family Books
Choose a book that everyone in the family will enjoy reading. Younger children may read an abridged version or have someone read it aloud for them. After everyone finishes the book, talk about it over a special meal with the family’s favorite carry-out food, pizza, or dessert.
• Library Times
Make some of your trips to the library family outings. Encourage everyone to suggest books to share. Occasionally have each family member choose a book for someone else, perhaps by drawing names. Many libraries have special events and activities, as well as computer programs, DVD’s, CD’s, toys, games, and even pets! As a special treat, you might replace the library outing with a trip to a bookstore, especially on a night when there is entertainment.
• Reading Nights
Swap out some family game nights with family reading nights. Everyone can read their own book or one person can read aloud. No one is too old to enjoy listening to a great story. Don’t forget the popcorn!
• Story Dinners
On the first Sunday (or other day) of each month, listen to a recorded story during dinner.
• Movies
Before taking children to a movie based on a book, we think it’s good to read the book together. Or after watching a “based on a real story” film, research and read about the story behind the dramatized version. You might all enjoy first making predictions about which aspects were factual and which ones were fictionalized for artistic purposes.
• Heirloom Books
As your children outgrow books, save their favorites in a special place so that someday they will be able to share them with their own children.
• Celebrate Reading
For still-developing readers, keep a list of each book the child reads. After every 10th, 25th, 50th, and/or 100th book, celebrate! Have the child’s favorite dinner & dessert, take them to a special outing, or let them buy a new book.
Our definition of a good children’s book is a book that ANYONE would enjoy. (Our local children’s bookstore even has a book club for adults!) See the bottom of this newsletter for a list of our favorite children’s books and links to websites with reading suggestions and activities.
Websites for Additional Reading & Book Ideas & Activities for Children
http://pbskids.org/
bookadventure.org/
pbskids.org/lions/stories/
teachersfirst.com/100books.cfm
http://www.magickeys.com/books/links.html
nationalgeographic.com/kids/bookmarkfactory/
Some of our Favorite Children’s Books
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander
Mrs. Frisby and The Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien
The Bronze Bow & The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
The Secret Garden & The Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
The American Girl series
Frog & Toad series by Arnold Lobel
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett
Yellow and Pink & Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
Martha books by Susan Meddaugh (Martha Speaks, Martha Blah Blah…)
King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub by Audrey & Don Wood
No Jumping on the Bed! by Tedd Arnold
The Magic Fish by Freya Littledale
Phil the Ventriloquist by Robert Kraus
Hey, Al by Arthur Yorinks & Richard Egielski
Insectlopedia & Mammalabilia by Douglas Florian
Silver Seeds by Paul Paolilli
And… of course, all books illustrated by Jack! :~)
The following children’s books are available on our website at Shop.CelebrationsandTraditions.com:
Tales of the Kingdom & Tales of the Resistance / Written by David & Karen Mains
In, Out, and About Catfish Pond & Up, Down, and Around the Rain Tree / Written by Charlotte Graeber