All posts filed under: literacy

In My Brain Today: Guest Post and Give-a-way: Luca’s Lashes

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By Leslie Lindsay What a fun week!  I am blessed with yet another guest post from author Nicole Fonovich, co-creator of the “Luca Lashes”  a collection of kids’ ebooks and interactive apps – aimed at kids ages 0–4 – that turn“fear of firsts” into fun. Created by long-time educators and husband/wife team Nicole and Damir Fonovich, the series was inspired by their little boy, Lucas, and their desire to help him be brave in all his childhood discoveries. The newest release is Luca Lashes Visits the Doctor. Other 2012 ebooks cover first swim lesson, airplane ride and first haircut. Take a look below for a fun Luca Lashes contest! Okay…take it away, Nicole!! NICOLE FONOVICH, M.Ed, is a tech-savvy mom blazing a new trail in children’s publishing. (image source: http://www.lucalashes.com/t-about.aspx) “Taking your child to the doctor? Five tips to help them say “Ah” with confidence. Winter is on its way and everyone knows what that means. Not skiing, not hot chocolate, not kissing under the mistletoe. Colder temps bring cold and flu season, sick kids and doctor’s …

Special Guest Post: Author Darryl Nyznyk of “Mary’s Son: A Tale of Christmas”

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By Leslie Lindsay  (image source: http://www.marysson.com/aboutdarryl.html) Darryl Nyznyk I am thrilled to host author Darryl Nyznyk of Mary’s Son: A Tale of Christmas.  Winner of 3 Mom’s Choice Awards (middle grade reader), bestselling Mary’s Son: A Tale of Christmas by Darryl Nyznyk is a modern-day story that portrays the true meaning of Christmas, much like the classics did.  Here, Darryl gives us wonderful tips on how to raise your children to be givers.  Since that’s the ‘reason for the season,’ why not start teaching them that vital lesson now?   (image source: http://www.marysson.com/marysson.html)   In fact, a tradition at our house is to present our children a “Christmas Book” in the first few days of the holiday season.  It’s a great way to build their holiday library.  Why not add “Mary’s Son” to your gift-giving list?  It would make a wonderful treat for Godparents, Godchildren, Sunday school teachers, and others.  Or, you may WIN a signed COPY!! Be sure to take a look below for contest details!  Okay…take it away, Darryl! My wife and I raised four daughters through …

A Little Literacy, Please: Mary Poppins

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By Leslie Lindsay When my daughters came back from an outing to the Fox Theatre in St. Louis, Missouri raving about “Mary Poppins,” several summers ago, I scratched my head and raised my eyebrows.  Mary Poppins, really?!  Isn’t she kind of…well, old-fashioned? But they loved her mysterious magic and fun.  They were mesmerized by her wit and charm.  I had to run out and purchase the movie for they wouldn’t stop talking about her.  My oldest even wanted to be her for Halloween that year.  I convinced her, sweetly, diplomatically that maybe she better be something else.  And so she was Strawberry Shortcake. We definitely went through a Mary Poppins phase and I guess it wasn’t all bad.  There were some good, wholesome lessons from the sassy nanny. Anita Diamont, a journalist and New York Times best-selling novelist mentioned that this was one of her favorite childhood books in Everything I Know I Learned from a Children’s Book, (Roaring Book Press, 2009). She says, “Mary Poppins herself was the best magic of all: a free-spirit who comes and goes …

In My Brain Today: The Help

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By Leslie Lindsay When the book, The Help (Kathryn Stockett, Berkeley, 2009) first came out a couple of years ago, I’ll admit–I didn’t really have much interest in reading it.  I was in the midst of running around like a chicken-with-her-head cut off raising two little girls then 2 and 4 years old.  Like I had time to read.  Pfff…it was more like me who needed the help.   But now I am in the middle of the book.  (Well, not exactly the middle).  And I love it!!  I can’t get enough.  It makes me want to read all day.  (Of course, duty calls and I can’t).  But I am utterly amazed at how author Kathryn Stockett can weave together the lives and stories of these southern women.  It makes you feel like you’re right there alongside of them like a fly on the wall.  Not only does the author bring you right into the colorful world of Aibileen, Hilly, Celia, Millie…she breathes life into their voices.  Her point-of-view is absolutely to die for; those …

A Little Literacy, Please: Beyond the Babysitter’s Club

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By Leslie Lindsay I grew up reading the Babysitters Club.  It was through these early chapter books that I developed a fondness for reading–and babysitting.  I would read these stories of Kristy, Dawn, Claudia, Stacy (wow, can’t believe how quickly those names just flew from my fingertips) and think, “Hey, that’s a great idea:  I’ll do that the next time I babysit.”  And so, a kinship was developed. It’s no surprise then I paused when I saw the name, Ann M. Martin when I was flipping through “Everything I Need to Know I Learned from a Children’s Book,” (Roaring Press Books, 2009).  Ms. Martin was discussing the books which influenced her as she was growing up.  Curious, I read more. Seems Ann M. Martin was most moved by “Roll of Thunder, Her My Cry,” by Mildred D. Taylor.  Considered to be one of the finest pieces of historical fiction in the last half of the twentieth century by critics, this book brings to life the saga of a proud black family living in the rural south in the 1930’s.    Ms. Martin …

A Little Literacy, Please: Everything I need to know I learned from Children’s Book

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By Leslie Lindsay I was at the library one day last week when I spied this book propped up on one of the end-caps near the children’s section:  “Everything I Need to Know I Learned from a Children’s Book: Life Lessons from Notable People from all Walks of Life” and smiled.  It’s catchy title (a spin-off from Robert Fulghum’s, “Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten”) and a fun premise, lead me to snatch if off the shelf and stuff it into my library bag. I flippped through the book once we got home as the girls will happily lolling about with their library books.  Katherine Paterson, Anne Tyler, Robert Ebert, Steve Forbes, Andrew Wyeth, (and a handful of folks I admittedly don’t know a thing about) all contributed their favorite childhood books–many classics–and why those titles shaped their world vision. So…I think this will book will become the basis of Tuesday’s “A Little Literacy, Please”—at least for a few weeks.  In the meantime, let me know of your favorite childhood books and perhaps they can be …

A Little Literacy, Please: Reading with Rover

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By Leslie Lindsay Books.  Dogs.  Libraries.  These are a few of my favorite things!  So, no surprise when I hauled my kiddos to the local library for “Reading with Rover” last week.  Two trained therapy dogs were on site to be read to by little people.    Perfect. We had seen a similar experience on PBSKids in which a little girl was reading to a dog in a sort of infomercial style blurb.  My daughter’s were familiar with the idea and with budding readers on my hands, it all made sense to get them there.   We were first in line. Sparky the Sheltie and the long-haired German Shepard (whose name was too German for me to remember, let alone spell), were the best audience, though they had to have several cold hotdog snacks to get into reading mode. Why is this good for kids? Dogs don’t care if kids read badly Dogs just want to be cared for and they love the attention (so do kids) Kids can practice their animal care skills–along with reading Kids can have …

A Little Literacy, Please: Carlo Reads

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By Leslie Lindsay It’s summer and that means that my daughters are part of the local library’s summer reading program.  Yep, I know…it’s totally and completely nerdy, but if you can read for prizes, why the heck not?! So, milling about the kiddie shelves we found this book by Jessica Spanyol, “Carlo Likes Reading.”  Not only is Carlo a cute, lovable giraffe, but he shows how cool it is to read.  While this book isn’t really a sit-down-and-read book complete with a full cover-to-cover story, it does a great job of combining two concepts together: storytime and word recognition.  Carlo labels everything in his bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, backyard, park…you name it.  As I read this to my 4-year old (who really is learning to read), I would point out words, albeit the ones attached to an object she recognizes, and I would say, “Hey, what does this word say?”  She felt empowered when she “read” the word.  And that is the basis for forming the foundation for reading.  Cool, huh? Take it futher:  Ask your …

Apraxia Monday: GIVE-A-WAY–“I Want to be Your Friend”

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By Leslie Lindsay There is something so sweet about Angela Baublitz’s new book that will touch you for the rest of the day.  The week.  The month.  It may stay with you forever.  In her book, “I Want to be Your Friend,” (CASANA, 2011) Ms. Baublitz brings her daughter’s words to life as she shares with the reader that apraxia (CAS) is not just about a child who can’t use her words to communicate effectively, but about a little girl who wants to share with the world that she is just like any other kid.  And she wants to be your friend.  I’m giving away a brand-new copy today!  The first book ever to be published by CASANA (Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America), you will find this one helpful and positive not just for a child with CAS (it is a children’s book to be read with a child), but also appropriate for introductory reading for a parent, teacher, or grandparent. Here’s the tear-jerker: on one of the first few pages, after telling …

Cute & Simple: Fathers and Daughters

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Just recently, I came across a new author and his book.  It’s perfect for Father’s Day, which is right around the corner.  Of course, I must share. Kevin Renner, who wears many hats, but of late is best known as “father” and “author.”  Inspired by his book, “In Search of Fatherhood: A Mother Lode of Wisdom from the World of Daughterhood,” is his tip lists for fathers and daughters.   Each list presents 10 things a father can do to improve his relationship with his girls and vice versa for daughters to fathers.  I will shorten the list to 5 each, for the sake of space/time/and to keep your interest fresh.  If you like what Mr. Renner has to say, well then…you may just have to run out an buy the book : ) RECOMMENDATION FOR FATHERS: Everything you say communicates.  You knew that already.  But what you do communicates more. Retire now.  Not really.  But know that your daughter really needs you right now, while she’s young. Play catch, hang out, take her to your …