Simplicity

I have been hanging on to two books for weeks now because I wanted to blog about them.  Tonight, I am. In doing so, I am toasting simplicity. 

One book, Dot by Patricia Intriago, has just a few words per page, and the illustrations are altered versions of a basic, black circle.  It manages to teach opposites and rhyme so seamlessly that kids probably miss the lesson and just enjoy watching the dot's shifting characteristics.

The other book, Higher! Higher! by Leslie Patricelli has colorful illustrations of a girl on a swing.  As many children do, she begs her dad to push her higher.  With just a few words, the illustrations convey the extreme lengths of her trip.  (It may not actually be possible to swing to outer space, but it is fun to imagine that it is).

While neither book is probably a huge vocabulary builder, they both provide wonderful jumping-off points for children to do their own storytelling.  I am always a fan of the planted question, "What if?"  I am awe-struck by those capable of planting the question using sparce language.  Kudos, Intriago and Patricelli!

Nursery Rhyme Numbers

As of late, my daughter recites the "One, two, buckle my shoe..." poem at least once a day.  Her Pre-K evaluation a few months ago said that she needed to work on recognizing written numbers.  Ah ha!  While D loves the rhyme and rhythm of her chant, I see it as a wonderful way to practice seeing how we write different numerals.  Yay for the book Big Fat Hen by Keith Baker!  This book does not feature a complicated story and is only slightly an elaboration on the poem itself.  However, the bright illustrations an engaging companion to speaking the nursery rhyme.  Moreover, my daughter gets to see every number she says in bold, bright font.  This is a cute book that works for younger siblings or friends, too.  However, for the pre-writers of the world, it also serves a purpose.

Rhythm & Rhyme

I love when a story moves.  As an auditory learner, I do my very best when I hear things. The cadence-- the flow and pause of writing-- can change it from text to poetry, from words to music.  

What does this have to do with kids?  Well, way before we can understand language, we can hear pitch, inflection, and phonemes (the little sounds that make up words).  Being able to distinguish between sounds is a major foundation for eventually being able speak and read.  Noticing tone variation helps kids put meaning to words. (Example:  If you're around a dog, say "Ooh ahh ooh!" in an excited and happy voice. See if the puppy's tail wags. You get my drift).  

Here are some of my favorite books for kids aged 3-5 that play with rhythm and rhyme:

Charlie Parker Played Be Bop by Chris Raschka

I read this book by Chris Raschka to my daughter before she was even born.  It doesn't have much of a plot, but its sound-play is genius.  Inspired by the jazz music of Charlie "Bird" Parker, Raschka suggests varieties in how to read the rhyming text by using different fonts.  I've actually performed this book for kids in-tandem with an improvising jazz band.  It was fun.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr. & John Archambault/ Illustrated by Lois Ehlert'

Don't blame me if the refrain from this book gets stuck in your head.  It happens.  That means that it will happen for kids, too.  So, why not get them hooked on a cute book that also happens to have all of the letters of the alphabet in it?  The simple story and bright illustrations make this a real crowd-pleaser. 

 

Tanka Tanka Skunk! By Steve Webb

I admit, this was another one that I read to my kid while she was still in the womb.  Seriously, if I have to listen to what I read, I may as well enjoy it.  Webb uses colorful pictures of animals to aid the chant comprised of their names.  Again, the rhyme and very conscious varying of syllable stresses makes this text feel as if it is in motion.  I also like that some less-common animals, like the lemur, have a role to play in this plot-less poem.