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Category: Read Alouds

FEBRUARY 27, 2013
Read Across America on Dr. Seuss' Birthday!

Did you know that Dr. Seuss's birthday is fast approaching? Born Theodore Seuss Geisel, Dr. Seuss was born on March 2nd, 1904. On the evening of March 2nd, this year, Random House and the National Education Association (NEA) want you to participate in the second annual Read Across America event and read to a child.

Jefferson County Public Library has many Seuss classics in its collection. Settle down together and enjoy The Cat- In-The-Hat, Hunches in Bunches, or Horton Hatches The Egg, to name a few. Find even more Seuss favorites in our online catalog.

Dr. Seuss' funny rhymes do more than just entertain. They help kids develop a skill called Phonological Awareness; which means that kids learn to recognize and play with the sounds contained in words. Rhymes are lots of fun, but they also develop language and reading skills!

Other great ways to celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday include watching The Lorax and Horton Hears a Who on DVD, also available at JCPL. You can also get creative and create some great Dr. Seuss-themed crafts. Make your own Light Bulb Cat-In-The-Hat or a Horton Hears a Who craft!

Enjoy even more fun online at Dr. Seuss' website, Seussville.com.

Dr. Seuss' characters may have had trouble in getting to Solla Sollew, but we at JCPL hope you will have no trouble celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday and participating in Read Across America this year!

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posted by Sarah, Arvada Library

Categories: Read Alouds

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FEBRUARY 22, 2013
Great family read alouds

With winter in full swing—and Read Across America just around the corner—, now is a great time to take advantage of those moments just begging for snuggling up together to share books everyone will love.

What makes a great read-aloud? Elements of a good family read include action, pacing, compelling characters, timeless themes, but most of all, a story or topic that captivates you.

What to read?

Jim Trelease’s Hey! Listen to This: Stories to Read Aloud offers up some wonderful read-aloud tips, as well as book suggestions, such as Where the Red Fern Grows by Marjorie Rawls; Chocolate Fever by Robert Kimmel Smith; or Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar—a personal favorite.

Some top picks from GoodReads.com include such classics as Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis; House at Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne; and the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Naturalist and storyteller extraordinaire Gerald Durrell wrote My Family and Other Animals one of my all-time favorites read-alouds.

Want more book suggestions or tips?

Try PBS Between the Lions; NEA’s Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children; or Family Reading Partnership’s Read Aloud Resolutions.

Happy reading!

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posted by Susan, Belmar Library

Category: Read Alouds

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JANUARY 24, 2013
Our favorite- this week!

 

Big Mean Mike by Michelle Knudsen

This book has major cover appeal and a great story to go along with it-- it made me laugh out loud!  It's a little long for preschool storytime, but you can bet I'll read it to the next group of Kindergarten, 1st or 2nd graders that ends up in front of me. 

Mike is the biggest, toughest, meanest dog around and he wants to make sure that every knows it.  He wears the biggest meanest boots, has a spiky collar and drives a tough car.  So, when a little fuzzy bunny appears in his trunk one day he tells the cute little bunny to scram.  But, the next day there are two, then three, then more!  The tough guy car show is coming up and he's being followed around by cute, little fluffy bunnies.  How's a tough guy supposed to look tough at the car show with bunnies?!  

Pair it with Superdog: the Heart of a Hero by Caralyn Buehner for a dog themed read aloud that everyone will enjoy.   Big Mean Mike would be great read one-on-one with younger kids too!

 

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posted by Scout the dog, Columbine Library

Categories: Read AloudsStaff favoritesPicture books

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JANUARY 22, 2013
Favorite picture books of 2012

There were many new books published in 2012, but a few really caught my attention. Kids 4-8 years would enjoy these fun stories as read alouds in groups or one-on-one!

Asiago by Adam McHeffey 

This Monster Needs a Haircut by Bethany Barton

Chopsticks (not exactly a sequel to Spoon, more like a change in place setting) by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

 

Make a Wish Bear by Greg Foley

Duck Sock Hop by Jane Kohuth

 It's always fun to find a few new favorites while you're in the library. Have you discovered any new favorites in 2012? Please share them with us!

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posted by Donna, Columbine Library

Categories: Read Alouds

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DECEMBER 10, 2012
Looking for a great read-aloud?

Read alouds are fun for bedtime and for the whole family.  With the holidays coming you should pick a couple, and snuggle-up and read! 

Check out the Jefferson County Public Library list of Great Family Read-Alouds, or try these books to enjoy together: 

Superdog: The Heart of a Hero by Caralyn Buehner

Tired of being overlooked because he is so small, Dexter, a big-hearted dog with big dreams transforms himself into a superhero.   For pre-K to 2.
 
 
Library Lil by Suzanne Williams
 
Library Lil is determined to make readers not only out of the once resistant residents of her small town, but out of a tough-talking, television-watching motorcycle gang as well.   For grades K to 3. 
 
 
 
Peter Hatcher tries to put up with his annoying, two year-old brother Fudge-- but, when Fudge takes his pet turtle, it's just too much!  For grades 2 to 4. 

Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea

Seven fifth-graders at Snow Hill School in Connecticut relate how their lives are changed for the better by "rookie teacher" Mr. Terupt.  For grades 3 to 5. 
 
You can find more great read-aloud recommendations at these websites:

Read Aloud America's read aloud list

Featuring a wide variety of characters, cultures and appeal, this list features recommendations by age

Jim Trelease's Read Aloud Treasury

An updated list from the expert on reading aloud!

Mighty Girl read alouds for mighty girls

Read alouds featuring strong female characters for ages 6 to 13

Do you have a favorite read-aloud to share?  Please tell us what it is!

 

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posted by Kristin, Columbine Library

Categories: ActivitiesRead Alouds

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