<![CDATA[Learning Connections - ]]> <![CDATA[Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst Literacy Kit]]> “I went to sleep with gum in my mouth and now there's gum in my hair… and I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day." So begin the trials and tribulations of Alexander. People of all ages have terrible, horrible days, and Alexander offers us a humorous reminder that things may not be all that bad. As Alexander's day progresses, he faces a barrage of frustrations from getting smushed in the middle seat of the car, no dessert in his lunch sack, a cavity at the dentist's office, and being forced to sleep in railroad-train pajamas. He resolves several times to move to Australia. Judith Viorst flawlessly and humorously captures a child's testy temperament, rendering Alexander sympathetic rather than whiny. An ALA Notable Book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is a great antidote to bad days everywhere, sure to put a smile on even the crabbiest of faces.

Activity—A memory game using cards with fun illustrations of a variety of different feelings.  This game presents a good opportunity to discuss feelings with your child.

]]> <![CDATA[Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst Parent Pack]]> “I went to sleep with gum in my mouth and now there's gum in my hair… and I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day." So begin the trials and tribulations of Alexander. People of all ages have terrible, horrible days, and Alexander offers us a humorous reminder that things may not be all that bad. As Alexander's day progresses, he faces a barrage of frustrations from getting smushed in the middle seat of the car, no dessert in his lunch sack, a cavity at the dentist's office, and being forced to sleep in railroad-train pajamas. He resolves several times to move to Australia. Judith Viorst flawlessly and humorously captures a child's testy temperament, rendering Alexander sympathetic rather than whiny. An ALA Notable Book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is a great antidote to bad days everywhere, sure to put a smile on even the crabbiest of faces.


Activity— A memory game using cards with fun illustrations of a variety of different feelings.  This game presents a good opportunity to discuss feelings with your child.

]]> <![CDATA[Being Active by Mari C. Schuh Literacy Kit]]> Being Active is designed to get kids and families moving.  With the obesity rate at an all time high, this book and literacy guide give families many ideas on how to get and stay active.  The literacy guide also provides good information for helping to maintain an active lifestyle, discusses the importance of being fit, and gives many suggestions on how to make fitness a part of everyday life.Activity:  jump rope with many suggested activities

]]> <![CDATA[Being Active by Mari C. Schuh Parent Pack]]> Being Active is designed to get kids and families moving.  With the obesity rate at an all time high, this book and literacy guide give families many ideas on how to get and stay active.  The literacy guide also provides good information for helping to maintain an active lifestyle, discusses the importance of being fit, and gives many suggestions on how to make fitness a part of everyday life.

Activity:  jump rope with many suggested activities.

]]> <![CDATA[Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food by Stan & Jan Berenstain Literacy Kit]]> Mama Bear lays down the law when she notices that Papa and the cubs are getting too chubby. With the help of Dr. Grizzly's slide show on how the body works, the Bear family makes a healthy adjustment in both their diet and fitness habits.  This is a most enjoyable introduction to good nutrition and exercise.  (English only.)

Activity— Fruits and vegetables card game (similar to "Go Fish" game).

]]> <![CDATA[Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food by Stan & Jan Berenstain Parent Pack]]> Mama Bear lays down the law when she notices that Papa and the cubs are getting too chubby. With the help of Dr. Grizzly's slide show on how the body works, the Bear family makes a healthy adjustment in both their diet and fitness habits.  This is a most enjoyable introduction to good nutrition and exercise.  (English only.)

Activity— Fruits and vegetables card game (similar to "Go Fish" game).
]]> <![CDATA[Berenstain Bears and Too Much TV by Stan and Jan Berenstain Literacy Kit]]> In Berenstain Bears and Too Much TV, Mama Bear decides her family spends too much time in front of the TV, so she bans it for a week. The Bear family discovers lots of other ways to have fun and keep busy, and find they watch less TV when it is allowed again--and don't even miss it.  (English only.)

Activity: Three juggling scarves, which is an excellent activity for brain development.

]]> <![CDATA[Berenstain Bears and Too Much TV by Stan and Jan Berenstain Parent Pack]]>  

In Berenstain Bears and Too Much TV, Mama Bear decides her family spends too much time in front of the TV, so she bans it for a week. The Bear family discovers lots of other ways to have fun and keep busy, and find they watch less TV when it is allowed again--and don't even miss it.  (English only.)
Activity: Three juggling scarves.
]]> <![CDATA[Bully Blockers Club by Teresa Bateman Parent Pack]]> On the first day of school, Lotty Raccoon encounters Grant Grizzly, the class bully, who taunts and teases her at every turn. Ignoring him does not work, nor do several other tactics she tries. Finally, she comes up with a solution: a Bully Blockers Club. She recruits other students who have been bullied by Grant. Whenever the little grizzly begins intimidating someone, the club members go into action. After a class discussion on bullying, the teacher and students come up with rules that will help everyone feel safe and welcome. Although this story is purposeful, it is told with humor and drama. The illustrations are colorful and engaging.  The last page contains a discussion on bullying for adults.
Activity: Game in which bullying situations are discussed.
]]> <![CDATA[Bullying Why Would You Want To Do That Parent Pack]]> Bullying  Why Would You Want To Do That?  How many times have you asked a child that question?  This book is designed for third, fourth, and fifth graders to discuss a variety of social situations that children deal with daily.   By presenting different situations with contemporary, edgy illustrations in vibrant colors, the children may recognize themselves or their friends and feel comfortable to relate their own personal experiences.  The format also enhances the communication between children and their parents or guardians.

]]> <![CDATA[Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White Literacy Kit]]> An affectionate, sometimes bashful pig named Wilbur befriends a spider named Charlotte, who lives in the rafters above his pen.  A prancing, playful character, Wilbur is devastated when he learns of the destiny planned for him.  Determined to save her friend, Charlotte spins a web that reads "Some Pig," convincing the farmer and surrounding community that Wilbur is no ordinary animal and should be saved. In this story of friendship, hardship, and the passing on into time, E.B. White reminds us to open our eyes to the wonder and miracle often found in the simplest of things.

Activity—A card game that require critical thinking to match adjectives to the characters.

]]> <![CDATA[Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White Parent Pack]]> An affectionate, sometimes bashful pig named Wilbur befriends a spider named Charlotte, who lives in the rafters above his pen.  A prancing, playful character, Wilbur is devastated when he learns of the destiny planned for him.  Determined to save her friend, Charlotte spins a web that reads "Some Pig," convincing the farmer and surrounding community that Wilbur is no ordinary animal and should be saved.  In this story of friendship, hardship, and the passing on into time, E.B. White reminds us to open our eyes to the wonder and miracle often found in the simplest of things.


Activity— Adjective card game.

]]> <![CDATA[Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes Literacy Kit]]> She was a perfect baby and her parents chose a name to match--Chrysanthemum.  She thought her name was “absolutely perfect” until the first day of kindergarten when she finds herself in a world of strange new names such as Sue, Bill, Max, Sam, and Joe.  That would not have been so bad except for mean-spirited classmates who tormented her, sending her home in tears day after day.  The class then learns that their popular music teacher not only has a whopper of a name herself—Delphinium—but also plans to name her expected baby the prettiest name she has heard—Chrysanthemum.  Kevin Henkes’ illustrations are “absolutely perfect” for the story’s lighthearted and tender theme.  This sensitive story will strike a chord with young children, particularly those who also have difficult or unfamiliar names.

Activity—A set of cards that can be used in two ways:  a classifying activity for younger children and an alphabetizing activity for older children.

]]> <![CDATA[Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes Parent Pack]]> She was a perfect baby and her parents chose a name to match--Chrysanthemum.  She thought her name was “absolutely perfect” until the first day of kindergarten when she finds herself in a world of strange new names such as Sue, Bill, Max, Sam, and Joe.  That would not have been so bad except for mean-spirited classmates who tormented her, sending her home in tears day after day.  The class then learns that their popular music teacher not only has a whopper of a name herself—Delphinium—but also plans to name her expected baby the prettiest name she has heard—Chrysanthemum.  Kevin Henkes’ illustrations are “absolutely perfect” for the story’s lighthearted and tender theme.  This sensitive story will strike a chord with young children, particularly those who also have difficult or unfamiliar names.

Activity—Alphabetizing the names of the mice with beautifully drawn illustrations.  Two sets of game cards, one with English names and one with the Spanish names are included in the literacy kit.  A suggested alternative activity is to classify the pictures of the mice.

]]> <![CDATA[Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin Parent Pack]]> In this hilarious picture book, the cows find an old typewriter in the barn and begin typing out demands for Farmer Brown.  The first letter asks for electric blankets and notes keep going back and forth until the cows go on strike.  The duck acts as an impartial party to help work out a compromise and the exasperated farmer finally makes concessions, only to find that the cows are not the only ones who can type.  Children and adults alike will cheer for the clever creatures that calmly and politely stand up for their rights.


Activity— Use farm animals for estimating, sorting, making patterns, and creating and solving math problems.

]]> <![CDATA[Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin Literacy Kit]]> In this hilarious picture book, the cows find an old typewriter in the barn and begin typing out demands for Farmer Brown.  The first letter asks for electric blankets and notes keep going back and forth until the cows go on strike.  The duck acts as an impartial party to help work out a compromise and the exasperated farmer finally makes concessions, only to find that the cows are not the only ones who can type.  Children and adults alike will cheer for the clever creatures that calmly and politely stand up for their rights.Activity— Use farm animals for estimating, sorting, making patterns, and creating and solving math problems. ]]> <![CDATA[Corduroy by Don Freeman Literacy Kit]]> Corduroy is a small stuffed bear who has been on the department store shelf for a long time waiting for a home.  As soon as Lisa sees him she knows he’s the bear she has always wanted.  Her mother refuses to buy him as she has spent too much money that day and that he was missing a button.  The little bear goes on an adventure throughout the store that night looking for his lost button.  The next day the little girl comes back with her own money that she had saved to buy Corduroy.  She takes Corduroy home where he discovers what a real home is like.

Activity—Use buttons for a variety of activities such as counting, estimating, creating and solving math problems, and sorting buttons.
]]> <![CDATA[Corduroy by Don Freeman Parent Pack]]> Corduroy is a small stuffed bear who has been on the department store shelf for a long time waiting for a home.  As soon as Lisa sees him she knows he’s the bear she has always wanted.  Her mother refuses to buy him as she has spent too much money that day and that he was missing a button.  The little bear goes on an adventure throughout the store that night looking for his lost button.  The next day the little girl comes back with her own money that she had saved to buy Corduroy.  She takes Corduroy home where he discovers what a real home is like. 

Activity—Use buttons for a variety of activities such as counting, estimating, creating and solving math problems, and sorting buttons.

]]> <![CDATA[Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss Literacy Kit]]> Dr. Seuss turns 50 simple words into magic in this time-honored classic. Sam-I-am won’t give up.  He keeps trying to get the grumpy grown-up in the story to taste green eggs and ham.  No matter how Sam-I-am presents the green eggs and ham (in a box, with a fox, in the rain, on a train), he just refuses to try them.  Finally, Sam-I-am’s persistence pays off.  A crowd of open-mouthed onlookers watch in suspense as the old grouch takes a bite.  The old sourpuss’s face is all smiles as he gratefully acknowledges, “I do so like green eggs and ham.  Thank you, thank you, Sam-I-am!”

Activity—Use 16 foam egg shapes of different sizes for activities such as sequencing them in order according to size, making designs with them, and a variety of math activities.
]]> <![CDATA[Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss Parent Pack]]> Dr. Seuss turns 50 simple words into magic in this time-honored classic. Sam-I-am won’t give up.  He keeps trying to get the grumpy grown-up in the story to taste green eggs and ham.  No matter how Sam-I-am presents the green eggs and ham (in a box, with a fox, in the rain, on a train), he just refuses to try them.  Finally, Sam-I-am’s persistence pays off.  A crowd of open-mouthed onlookers watch in suspense as the old grouch takes a bite.  The old sourpuss’s face is all smiles as he gratefully acknowledges, “I do so like green eggs and ham.  Thank you, thank you, Sam-I-am!”


Activity—Use 16 foam eggs of different sizes for activities such as sequencing them in order according to size, making designs with them, and a variety of math activities.

]]> <![CDATA[Healthy Snacks by Mari C. Schuh Literacy Kit]]> Healthy Snacks gives families great ideas on what types of foods are healthy for snacks and why eating healthy is so vital to being fit.  The literacy guide addresses portion sizes, discusses five rules to live by to maintain a healthy diet, and provides recipes for healthy snacks.  With the obesity rate at an all time high and fast food restaurants so easily accessible, knowing which foods are healthy and choosing them is more important than ever.  The pictures in the book are actual photographs that are multicultural as well as multigenerational.

Activity:  Build a Sandwich Game in which families play a board game to acquire ingredients to create a healthy sandwich.
]]> <![CDATA[Jumprope]]> Text about the jumprope

]]> <![CDATA[Swimmy by Leo Lionni Literacy Kit]]> Swimmy is the only little fish amongst his brothers and sisters who was born black instead of red.  He also has the ability to swim faster than the rest of the fish and is able to out swim the big fish that comes to devour his family.  Poor Swimmy is left all alone in the world, but his sadness doesn’t last long.  He is in awe of the undersea world.  When Swimmy stumbles across another group of small red fish, his quick thinking helps them band together to fight the larger fish in the sea.  The lesson of the story is twofold.  One is that when people care enough about each other and work together they can fight the big problems that face them.  The other lesson is that being different, like Swimmy, can be a wonderful thing.

Activity—Sea animals for sorting and matching which give children practice in seeing likenesses and differences.  This activity provides practice sorting and counting sea animals as well as a variety of math activities.
]]> <![CDATA[Swimmy by Leo Lionni Parent Pack]]> Swimmy is the only little fish amongst his brothers and sisters who was born black instead of red.  He also has the ability to swim faster than the rest of the fish and is able to out swim the big fish that comes to devour his family.  Poor Swimmy is left all alone in the world, but his sadness doesn’t last long.  He is in awe of the undersea world.  When Swimmy stumbles across another group of small red fish, his quick thinking helps them band together to fight the larger fish in the sea.  The lesson of the story is twofold.  One is that when people care enough about each other and work together they can fight the big problems that face them.  The other lesson is that being different, like Swimmy, can be a wonderful thing. 

Activity— Sorting and matching objects give children practice in seeing likenesses and differences.  This activity gives children practice sorting and counting plastic sea animals as well as a variety of math activities.
]]> <![CDATA[Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester Literacy Kit]]> Tracy the Penguin is a total nonconformist who lives with a group of formal, proper penguins.  But it is Tacky who foils the plans of three hunters who threaten the penguins.  With his un-penguin-like behavior, Tacky puzzles the hunters to such an extent that they are firmly convinced that they cannot be in the “land of the pretty penguins”.  This whimsical tale clearly shows there are advantages to being an individual, delighting children and adults alike.

Activity—Using the penguin puppet to retell the story, first as Tacky, and then as the "proper" penguins, to contrast the movements of Tacky and the other penguins.

]]> <![CDATA[Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester Parent Pack]]> Tacky the Penguin is a total nonconformist who lives with a group of formal, proper penguins.  But it is Tacky who foils the plans of three hunters who threaten the penguins.  With his un-penguin-like behavior, Tacky puzzles the hunters to such an extent that they are firmly convinced that they cannot be in the “land of the pretty penguins”.  This is a rollicking tale that clearly shows there are advantages to being an individual.  This whimsical tale delights children and adults alike.

Activity—Retell the story using a penguin puppet to contrast the  movements of Tacky and the other proper penguins.

]]> <![CDATA[Taking Care of My Teeth by Terri DeGezelle Literacy Kit]]>  

Taking Care of My Teeth has text and real photographs that introduce families to proper dental care.  The guide was written with dental health professionals to give families information on how to keep their teeth healthy.  Good dental health is a vital part of overall health.  Learn what you can do to keep your teeth and gums healthy.  The guide and game are full of valuable information about dental health.

Activity:  A deck of fifty cards (twenty-five in English and twenty-five in Spanish) is packed full of information families should have about dental health.  The cards have a question on one side and the answer on the other.

]]> <![CDATA[Taking Care of My Teeth by Terri DeGezelle Parent Pack]]> Taking Care of My Teeth was written with dental health professionals to give families information on how to keep their teeth healthy.  good dental health is a vital part of overall health.  Learn what you can do to keep your teeth and gums healthy.  The guide and game are full of valuable information about dental health.

Activity--a game of fifty cards (twenty-five in one set in English and twenty-five in a second set in Spanish) with questions about teeth and dental health on one side and the correct answers on the other.

]]> <![CDATA[The Bully Blockers Club by Teresa Bateman Literacy Kit]]> On the first day of school, Lotty Raccoon encounters Grant Grizzly, the class bully, who taunts and teases her at every turn. Ignoring him does not work, nor do several other tactics she tries. Finally, she comes up with a solution: a Bully Blockers Club. She recruits other students who have been bullied by Grant. Whenever the little grizzly begins intimidating someone, the club members go into action. After a class discussion on bullying, the teacher and students come up with rules that will help everyone feel safe and welcome. Although this story is purposeful, it is told with humor and drama. The illustrations are colorful and engaging.  The last page contains a discussion on bullying for adults.  (English only.)

Activity: Game in which bullying situations are discussed

]]> <![CDATA[The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss Literacy Kit]]> Poor Dick and Sally!  It is cold and wet and they are stuck in the house with nothing to do . . . until a giant cat in a hat shows up, transforming the dull day into a madcap adventure and almost wrecking the house in the process!  This book will really help children learn to read.  With his simple vocabulary, the good Doctor knew what he was doing—hear it, learn it, read it.  This book is truly a classic that belongs in every home.

Activity—Two sets of 26 rhyming game cards, one with English words and one with Spanish words.

]]> <![CDATA[The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss Parent Pack]]> Poor Dick and Sally.  It’s cold and wet and they’re stuck in the house with nothing to do…until a giant cat in a hat shows up, transforming the dull day into a madcap adventure and almost wrecking the house in the process!  This book will really help children learn to read.  With his simple vocabulary, the good Doctor knew what he was doing—hear it, learn it, read it.  This book is truly a classic that belongs in every home.


Activity— Two sets of 30 rhyming game cards, one with English words and one with Spanish words are included in the literacy kit.
]]> <![CDATA[The Cat in the Hat Dictionary by Dr. Seuss Parent Pack]]> For those who have always wanted to say things like "Mi madre es una gallina" ("My mother is a hen") or "Los zorrillos huelen mal" ("Skunks smell bad"), this book is the answer to your dreams! After all, who wouldn't want to learn Spanish from the Cat in the Hat?  Simple (and occasionally silly) English words and phrases are translated into Spanish, accompanied by the familiar Dr. Seussesque full-color cartoon drawings. For each letter there are several pages of illustrated terms, each separated into a box with a word in English, a picture, a sentence in English, and a translation of the sentence in Spanish. An easy pronunciation guide follows the A-through-Z dictionary for anyone who wants to go further and learn to speak as well as read Spanish. This is a tremendously fun and surprisingly useful glimpse into another language that can be used by parents and teachers introducing Spanish to English-speaking children or introducing English to Spanish-speaking children.


Activity—A set of magnetic foam letters comes with a variety of suggestions for how to manipulate the letters to create new words to help your child increase his or her knowledge of phonics.

]]> <![CDATA[The Cat in the Hat Dictionary Literacy Kit]]> For those who have always wanted to say things like "Mi madre es una gallina" ("My mother is a hen") or "Los zorrillos huelen mal" ("Skunks smell bad"), this book is the answer to your dreams! After all, who wouldn't want to learn Spanish from the Cat in the Hat?  Simple (and occasionally silly) English words and phrases are translated into Spanish, accompanied by the familiar Dr. Seussesque full-color cartoon drawings. For each letter there are several pages of illustrated terms, each separated into a box with a word in English, a picture, a sentence in English, and a translation of the sentence in Spanish. An easy pronunciation guide follows the A-through-Z dictionary for anyone who wants to go further and learn to speak as well as read Spanish. This is a tremendously fun and surprisingly useful glimpse into another language that can be used by parents and teachers introducing Spanish to English-speaking children or introducing English to Spanish-speaking children.

Activity—A set of magnetic foam letters comes with a page of suggestions designed to help beginning readers learn how to manupulate letters to form new words.  This kit is a must for beginning or struggling readers.

]]> <![CDATA[The Hat by Jan Brett Literacy Kit]]> Hedgie the hedgehog discovers the wisdom of the adage, "Don't go poking your nose where it doesn't belong" only after curiosity gets this prickly fellow in a pickle. When Lisa's woolen stocking blows off the clothesline, Hedgie finds it and sticks his nose inside, only to discover his prickles prevent him from pulling out of it. Soon all the farm animals are coming around to chuckle at silly Hedgie's stocking hat. But in the end, nimble-witted Hedgie gets the last laugh.  This magnificently illustrated book was the winner of the prestigious 1998 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award.  Brett’s illustrations are done in her trademark style of highly detailed depictions of her characters and a creative use of borders, which are small illustrations foreshadowing what will happen next.
Activity—A beautifully illustrated board game, a die, and foam pieces of clothing come together to create a game in which the players try to be the first to collect all eight pieces of clothing.  (English only.)

]]> <![CDATA[The Hat by Jan Brett Parent Pack]]> Hedgie the hedgehog discovers the wisdom of the adage, "Don't go poking your nose where it doesn't belong" only after curiosity gets this prickly fellow in a pickle. When Lisa's woolen stocking blows off the clothesline, Hedgie finds it and sticks his nose inside, only to discover his prickles prevent him from pulling out of it. Soon all the farm animals are coming around to chuckle at silly Hedgie's stocking hat. But in the end, nimble-witted Hedgie gets the last laugh.  This magnificently illustrated book was the winner of the prestigious 1998 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award.  Brett’s illustrations are done in her trademark style of highly detailed depictions of her characters and a creative use of borders, which are small illustrations foreshadowing what will happen next.


Activity—A beautifully illustrated board game, a die, and foam pieces of clothing come together to create a game in which the players try to be the first to collect all eight pieces of clothing.

]]> <![CDATA[The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco Literacy Kit]]> In Patricia Polacco’s signature book, she narrates the true story of her family’s history from the time her great-grandmother came from Russia to her own family.  The significance of this family quilt is highlighted throughout the generations with uses ranging from weddings, births, comfort, and playtime. Following this brightly colored quilt through four generations is the basis of this story. Customs and fashions change, but family is constant, visually linked by “the keeping quilt”.

Activity—A memory game using beautiful quilt designs.

]]> <![CDATA[The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco Parent Pack]]> In Patricia Polacco’s signature book, she narrates the true story of her family’s history from the time her great-grandmother came from Russia to her own family.  The significance of this family quilt is highlighted throughout the generations with uses ranging from weddings, births, comfort, and playtime. Following this brightly colored quilt through four generations is the basis of this story.  Customs and fashions change, but family is constant, visually linked by “the keeping quilt”.


Activity—A memory game using beautiful designs.

]]> <![CDATA[The Scrambled States of America by Laurie Keller Literacy Kit]]> It was a very ordinary day and states all over the country were waking up to enjoy a beautiful sunrise.  All the states, except Kansas.  Together with Nebraska, they decided to throw a first annual “states party.”  During the party states hatched a plan to switch places so each could see a different part of the country.  In the beginning, every state was happy in its new location.  But soon things started to go wrong.  Would the states ever unscramble themselves and return to their proper places?  Packed with humor and whimsical illustrations, this delightful story is full of interesting facts that make learning geography as much fun as taking a vacation.  (English only.)

Activity—Learning state names and locations using two maps, one with the states identified and one without.

]]> <![CDATA[The Scrambled States of America by Laurie Keller Parent Pack]]> It was a very ordinary day and states all over the country were waking up to enjoy a beautiful sunrise.  All the states, except Kansas.  Together with Nebraska, they decided to throw a first annual “states party.”  During the party states hatched a plan to switch places so each could see a different part of the country.  In the beginning, every state was happy in its new location.  But soon things started to go wrong.  Would the states ever unscramble themselves and return to their proper places?  Packed with humor and whimsical illustrations, this delightful story is full of interesting facts that make learning geography as much fun as taking a vacation.  (English only.)

Activity—Learning state names and locations using two maps, one with the states identified and one without.

]]> <![CDATA[The Vegetable Group by Marci C. Schuh Literacy Kit]]> The Vegetable Group provides important information about this essential food group and gives examples of healthy eating choices.  It will help children and parents alike learn of the value of eating vegetables as part of a healthy life style and will encourage kids of all ages to eat more vegetables.  The guide gives you tips on how to easily incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet.  Learn more about how vegetables are essential to your overall good health.

Activity: Sorting fruits and vegetables with a variety of math activities and discussions about healthy eating.
]]> <![CDATA[The Vegetable Group by Marci C. Schuh Parent Pack]]> The Vegetable Group provides important information about this essential food group.  It will help children and parents alike learn of the value of eating vegetables as part of a healthy life style, and will encourage kids of all ages to eat more vegetables.  The guide gives you tips on how to easily incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet.  Learn more about how vegetables are essential to your overall good health.

Activity: Sorting fruits and vegetables with a variety of math activities and discussions about healthy eating.

]]> <![CDATA[Up, Down and Around by Katherine Ayres Literacy Kit]]> This is a story of two children who help plant a garden and learn about how some plants grow up into the air, some grow down into the ground, and some grow around vines.  It is a cheerful story that is a pleasant introduction to planting and prepositions.  In 2008, up, Down, and Around ws selected as the featured book in the Pennsylvania "One book, Every Young Child" program, a program designed to "highlight the importance of early literacy development in preschoolers."  In 2010, Up, Down, and Around was selected as the book for "Kansas Reads to Preschoolers."  (Book and guide in English only.)

Activity:  Board game with vegetables to "plant" in a garden.
]]> <![CDATA[Up, Down and Around by Katherine Ayres Parent Pack]]> This is a story of two children who help plant a garden and learn about how some plants grow up into the air, some grow down into the ground, and some grow around vines.  It is a cheerful story that is a pleasant introduction to planting and prepositions.  In 2008, up, Down, and Around ws selected as the featured book in the Pennsylvania "One book, Every Young Child" program, a program designed to "highlight the importance of early literacy development in preschoolers."  In 2010, Up, Down, and Around was selected as the book for "Kansas Reads to Preschoolers."
Activity:  Board game with vegetables to "plant" in a garden.
]]> <![CDATA[Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak Literacy Kit]]> This is one of those truly rare books that can be enjoyed equally by children and grown-ups.  Max dons his wolf suit in pursuit of some mischief and gets sent to bed without supper.  Amazingly, a forest grows in his room, allowing his wild rampage to take place.  Sendak’s colorful illustrations (perhaps his finest) are beautiful, winning him a Caldecott Award for his work in this book.  The wild things, with their mismatched parts and giant eyes, manage somehow to be scary-looking without ever really being scary.  At times they are downright hilarious. This Sendak classic floats somewhere between the land of dreams and a child’s imagination.

Activity—A memory matching game with number recognition as an additional teaching tool.
]]> <![CDATA[Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak Parent Pack]]> This is one of those truly rare books that can be enjoyed equally by children and grown-ups.  Max dons his wolf suit in pursuit of some mischief and gets sent to bed without supper.  Amazingly, a forest grows in his room, allowing his wild rampage to take place.  Sendak’s colorful illustrations (perhaps his finest) are beautiful, winning him a Caldecott Award for his work in this book.  The wild things, with their mismatched parts and giant eye, manage somehow to be scary-looking without ever really being scary.  At times they are downright hilarious. This Sendak classic floats somewhere between the land of dreams and a child’s imagination.


Activity—A memory matching game with number recognition as an additional teaching tool.

]]> <![CDATA[Wiggle by Doreen Cronin Literacy Kit]]> Do you wake up with a wiggle? Do you wiggle out of bed? For energetic toddlers (are there any who aren’t?), here is a book that invites them to wiggle along with the story. Told in rollicky, wiggly rhyme that begs to be read again and again, Doreen Cronin’s latest romp will have toddlers wiggling, giggling, and then (hopefully) falling into bed, blissfully exhausted!

Activity—Ribbon wand.

]]> <![CDATA[Wiggle by Doreen Cronin Parent Pack]]> Do you wake up with a wiggle?  Do you wiggle out of bed?   For energetic toddlers (are there any who aren't?), here's a book that invites them to wiggle along with the story. Told in rollicky, wiggly rhyme that begs to be read again and again, Doreen Cronin's latest romp will have toddlers wiggling, giggling, and then (hopefully) falling into bed, blissfully exhausted!

Activity—Ribbon wands.

]]> <![CDATA[Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox Literacy Kit]]> A small boy, Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge, knows and likes all of the folks in the retirement home next door, but his favorite is 96-year-old Miss Nancy Alison Delacourt Cooper because she has four names, just like him. Everyone says Miss Nancy has lost her memory, and despite the fact that Wilfrid doesn't even know what a memory is, by accident helps her find it.  The illustrations help to capture the story's warmth and sentiment.Activity— A memory game.

]]> <![CDATA[Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox Parent Pack]]> A small boy, Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge, knows and likes all of the folks in the retirement home next door, but his favorite is 96-year-old Miss Nancy Alison Delacourt Cooper because she has four names, just like him. Everyone says Miss Nancy has lost her memory, and despite the fact that Wilfrid doesn't even know what a memory is, by accident helps her find it.  The illustrations help to capture the story's warmth and sentiment.


Activity— A memory game.

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