“A cow says MOO…A sheep says BAA…Three singing pigs say LA LA LA!” You know it by heart. Your child knows it by heart. That’s part of the fun. They can finish the sentences, know when to laugh, and there’s always that one page that’s their very favorite. What happens when you’ve read a book so many times that it’s not entertaining for you or your child anymore? There’s definitely a point where your child “outgrows” the story and is ready to move on and start reading a ne

We all know the importance of reading to our children, but there are times when the idea of sitting through If You Give a Mouse a Cookie for the twelfth time in one day can be mind numbing. Reading should be fun for you and your child, it’s a way to connect and bond, but it doesn’t always have to mean sitting down with a book. Here are five unexpected ways to read with your child: The Grocery Store- The grocery store has words everywhere, from the food on the shelves to the

Kids who love to read, LOVE to read. In fact, they love to read so much that it can be pretty difficult getting them to put their books down. Sometimes you actually have to physically remove the book from their hands so they don’t run into walls. But, for parents and teachers of kids who don’t enjoy reading, it can be really tough getting them to pick up a book. Of course, they’ll willingly pick up their phones or iPads to text and tweet their friends all day long, but readi

Music, rhythm, and rhyme are important building blocks to literacy, so it’s time to crank up the music and get singing! Don’t be shy! Your little one loves your voice and thinks you are better than Beyonce, so have fun, move your body and belt it out like a rock star! You can sing anything from popular music (maybe skip the rap with cuss words :), show tunes (if that’s your thing), songs you remember from childhood (Nostalgia at it’s best) or make up your own songs to narrara

Looking for new bedtime stories? Here are our top choices for bedtime themed board and picture books! In no particular order, with my favorite versions indicated. Little Owl's Night (Hardcover) The Going to Bed Book (Board) Kitten's First Full Moon (Hardcover) A Book of Sleep (Hardcover or Board) Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! (Hardcover) Pajama Time! (Board) Snoozers (Board) Goognight Moon (Lap Edition) Good Night, Gorilla (Board) Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site

MAKE IT FUN! Kids are told what to read all year, so summer is a great opportunity for kids to reconnect with the joy and excitement of getting lost in the pages of a book. Some ideas: Set your little one free in a library, bookstore (Books and Cookies… wink wink) and allow them to choose what appeals to them. Create a summer book bag that you can take on the go! Books are perfect for traveling, laying in the sun… Have a family book club. Even if your kids aren't close in age