For Kids
October’s Book
the alphabet tree, by Leo Lionni
Given the state of the world today, I thought this book was particularly apt for sharing with you. It’s the story of a tree, covered in letters. The letters get confused by the blowing wind until a little bug and a caterpillar teach the letters that they can form words and sentences. This makes them strong enough to hang on when the wind blows. In the end, they also learn that words can make a difference, and they march off to the president with a very important message.
While a great book on its own, it can also be included in curriculums addressing: world culture, insects, trees, alphabets, peace, and activism.
Summer 2007
Written by Jane Yolen and Illustrated by Laurel Molk
I gave this book to my grand-daughter for her six-month birthday. The illustrations are simple but beautiful watercolors of all sorts of animals, each singing a little song on his or her way to grandma’s house. After we’re introduced to each animal, Yolen gradually adds all their songs together. This is a great book to act out together, or make hand motions for.