Books teach basic tools
Learning basic concepts such as colors, numbers and shapes is essential for all children before they enter school. Today's reviewed books help accomplish that goal by making learning fun.
In addition to books, there are countless opportunities for children to learn in your daily routine. For example, have your children participate in selecting two red apples at the grocery store, or counting the number of forks needed to set the dinner table, or choosing six M&M candies for a treat. What color is each one? What shape is it?
Young minds are like a sponge, ready and eager to absorb information. One of the most successful ways to capitalize on that is to approach the subject you're trying to teach in a fun and engaging way. When children discover that learning is fun, a whole new world opens to them. You have the power to make that happen. Be that teacher. They're counting on you.
The following book is available at many public libraries.<B>"Spot Can Count" </B>written and illustrated in by Eric Hill; Putnam; 22 pages; read aloud: age 2 to 4; read yourself: age 7.Eric Hill's lovable and well-known character, Spot, is at it once again with an engaging story that bursts with fun. Coupled with bold, colorful illustrations, this book makes learning easy.Spot announces to his father that he can count from one to 10. His dad is pleased, and asks Spot to see what he can count on the farm.From one mouse behind the sacks of grain, two squirrels in the tree, three horses in the stable, and four ducks in the pond, Spot counts all the way to the 10 cows in the barn.Young children will delight in learning to count with Spot by lifting the flaps to reveal the answers and the funny comments by other little critters around the farm.
<B>Library:</B> Zelienople Public Library, 227 South High St., Zelienople<B>Library Director:</B> Jan Lawrence<B>Children's Librarian:</B> Kay Howard<B>Choices this week:</B> <B>"How to Talk to Your Dog"</B> by Jean Craighead George; <B>"The Baker's Dozen"</B> by Heather Forest; <B>"Women of the Old West"</B> by Judith Alter
The following books are available at favorite bookstores.<B>"Mouse Shapes"</B> written and illustrated by Ellen Stoll Walsh; Harcourt, 2007; 32 pages; $16 hardcover; read aloud: age 2 to 5; read yourself: age 7.Three little mice were running away from a cat. Fortunately, they found a cluster of colorful things to hide in. When the coast was clear, they realized they had been hiding in a group of shapes. But can shapes be fun to play with? You bet, and these clever mice make all sorts of fun things from the triangles, circles, rectangles, squares and an oval.From a house to a tree, a wagon, a fish and other creations, these mice make all sorts of things from the shapes. Best of all, they make three big scary mice that frighten the cat away for good.A fun and creative story, "Mouse Shapes" packs a lot of learning into 32 colorful pages.<B>"Spinnables: The Spinning Book of Colors, Shapes and Numbers"</B> by Betty Ann Schwartz; illustrated by Michelle Berg; HarperCollins, 2007; 16 pages; $9.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 2 to 5; read yourself: age 6 to 7.Twenty-four spinning circles provide loads of interactive fun while simultaneously teaching young readers about colors, shapes and numbers.Each individual circle can be spun around to reveal four colorful examples of what is being taught. For example, turn the red circle to see a red ladybug, a red cardinal, red strawberries, and a red fire truck.Learn about the colors red, yellow, blue, green, pink, orange, brown, and black and white. Shapes include a circle, square, triangle, rectangle, oval and heart. And numbers go from one through ten.Important basic concepts, lots of hands-on participation, and loads of learning combine to make this an impressive little book.
