Noticing
Written by Kobi Yamada, this children’s story allowed a space for you to relate to feeling small in a big world. The illustrations by Elise Hurst are beautiful yet classic neutral tones to keep the reader focused on the meaning behind the story.
In a world where things get unnoticed due to the hustle and bustle, this tale encourages the reader to slow down and look at the world with their hearts. It encourages the reader to use their imagination to expand what they see on any given day. The story follows a young girl and an accomplished painter who meander through the beauty of any given day.
This book will encourage one to pay attention to the little things in life, to discover new things along the way, and to not fear the unknown. It also invites the reader to look within themselves and realize their hopes and dreams.
This children’s story is beautifully written and illustrated and will now have a place on my personal home library shelf.
A Dog Provides a Life Lesson
Have you ever read a book with no words? What??? Picture books without words allow the reader to “write” their own story. As children are beginning to learn to read, they provide the opportunity for them to feel successful because there are no words to sound out but they accomplish “reading” to their parent or sibling or even to themselves.
One of my favorite wordless picture books is Found by Jeff Newman and Larry Day. The story begins with a little girl who has lost her dog. She finds a stray when she’s out for a walk. He comes home with her and she begins experiencing all kinds of emotions: joy in not being alone, sadness in still missing her dog, anger that this dog was playing with her dog’s toy, etc. She is eventually confronted with a decision when she runs into a boy who is missing his dog, which happens to be the stray she found. What will she do?
Life is all about teachable moments. No matter our age, we learn each and every day. Are you open to what might happen along your journey?
The illustrations in this storybook are incredible yet simple. It was published in 2018 by Simon and Schuster Books. ISBN #9781534410060
Invest in the Children
From the time I knew I was first expecting, I collected books for my children. I read to them before they were born in hopes of instilling a love for words. As they snuggled in my lap, I read so they could know the meaning of time well spent. As they grew, I read to encourage their vocabulary. As they were learning to read to themselves, I continued to read books to give them a desire to read more. As they mastered reading, I read aloud so we could share in family learning.
Our wise children’s librarian and storyteller once shared with me, let them read books that are below their level for pure enjoyment, encourage them to read books on their level for gaining confidence, provide books for them above their reading level to give a challenge to reach, and let them see you reading as an example of continual learning.
As adults, we are often discouraged from using our imagination. So much of what we do in day to day life becomes routine and simply regurgitating information. Imagination is a gift to be opened and should never be put back in a box. Books of all kinds keep the imagination growing and stretching in all directions.
Reading books allows us to travel without leaving our seat. With our world changing at such a fast pace and turning more and more to electronic devices, may we never replace the value of a book we hold in our hands.
There are libraries and bookstores in nearly every town. But if you need the convenience of quality books that will teach you and your children as well as encourage imagination while providing a virtual trip around the world, look no further than USBORNE BOOKS & MORE. If you need a friendly consultant for guidance, contact Dawin Strelow at https://x8464.myubam.com/
Happy Reading!
“Oh, magic hour, when a child first knows she can read printed words!” — A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, 1943