The Book Centennial

ONE HUNDRED BOOKS!

It’s hard to believe we’ve done this for a hundred days. I was worried at the beginning there wouldn’t be enough gems to last a year and now there might not be time to fit them all in. I am being more judicious in my choices, but Scarlett still loves randoms. I’ve realized how fortunate we are to live when and where we do so that a wealth of reading material is available. I am grateful for the friends who have stepped up to suggest and provide their favorites. I love that Scarlett presents books demanding “on the couch.” But perhaps the best by-product of all is catching Scarlett “reading” to herself. I remember being shocked when I spoke with a Resource Specialist for the first time about Connor’s academic challenges. She told me the first thing they check for in a child with learning disabilities is if they know how to properly use a book--holding it right side up, turning pages from front to back--because, often, these kids have never been exposed to reading. How is that possible? Fortunately, Connor did not have that problem because he not only navigated the book, he also showed where the author and illustrator’s names were and said that illustrator means someone who draws pictures. But think of how sad that is for those other children. So, to celebrate books, we read Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault’s Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. Now “skinned-knee d” is stuck in my head.

http://www.amazon.com/Chicka-Boom-Bill-Martin-Jr/dp/068983568X

http://www.teachingk-8.com/archives/celebrations_in_reading_and_writing/remembering_bill_martin_jr_by_maryann_manning.html

http://www.johnarchambault.com/about.html