Follow-Me-Fridays: Where’s Miss Vivian?

Posted on April 8, 2011 by viviankirkfield

Illustration from A Picture Book for Little Ch...

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One of the stories I read to the kindergarten children is ANGUS LOST by Marjorie Flack.

Well, I could have written a story yesterday called MISS VIVIAN IS LOST!!!!

I usually print out the school’s directions from MapQuest and then several days before my scheduled visit, I take a ride over to make sure I know how to get there. So far, I have been to 5 different elementary schools in District 11. For some reason, my printer refused to print out the directions, so I wrote them down by hand. And, because life just got in the way, I wasn’t able to take the dry run to Bates Elementary.

BIG MISTAKE!!!!

Misreading my directions, I took a right on Austin Bluffs instead of a left. After going several miles, looking for the next street to turn on, I realized that something was wrong. I called the school and was given the bad news…I had gone in completely the opposite direction. I turned around and headed back and was able to find the general vicinity of the school…but this particular building is set back in a maze of winding streets, some of which are one way. After calling the school office again and receiving additional instructions, I finally made it there…half an hour late. 😦

I felt really badly as I hate to be late for things…especially when others are waiting on me. However, we were able to arrange it so that I could read the story…KATY AND THE BIG SNOW by Virginia Lee Burton. I then took a break in the teachers’ lounge for 45 minutes while the children went to their next scheduled activity. And, as my daughter says, “Everything happens for a reason.” In the lounge, I met the school librarian and we began to talk about the SHOW ME HOW Story-time Program. She wondered whether an evening presentation might be of value to the parents of the Pre-K students and told me she would speak to the Pre-K teachers about it.

At 10:20am, I made my way back to the kindergarten classroom and was able to help the children do the craft project…a snow-covered road way picture. Again I was impressed with the creativity of the children…each made the picture from their own perspective.

Leaving the children finishing up their pictures, I headed over to the other kindergarten class to again read the story and work with them on the craft project. I know both classes had a wonderful time…as I put on my coat to leave, one little girl came up and hugged me…and another said, “I love your hair, and your eyes, and your glasses. 🙂

This program is so very valuable, especially because these days, kindergarteners are the “new 1^st graders”…they have set curriculums and are expected to reach various goals in reading and writing…so there is less time for listening to picture book stories and doing arts and crafts.

To me this is quite sad…so much learning takes place when young children listen to and discuss a picture book story….so many skills are acquired when they participate in arts and crafts activities. I hope parents and teachers will head over to my website to check out my book that makes reading, crafting and cooking with young children a snap!

And please don’t forget…TWO VERY IMPORTANT UP-COMING EVENTS!!!

Sunday, April 10^th…I will be at the Covered Treasures Bookstore in Monument, CO from 2-3:30pm…talking about reading, crafting and cooking with young children and signing copies of my book. For more details go to www.coveredtreasures.com. The Book Fair benefits the Tri-Lakes Community Preschool Tuition Assistance Program. If you are local to Monument, Colorado Springs or Denver, please head on over to say hello and do your part to support early childhood education!
Tuesday, April 12^th…I will be hosting Max the Dog as he continues his 36 day book blog tour. For more details about the on-going contest and to see where he has been and where he is going, please visit: http://readwithmax.com/blogbooktour.html

What’s In Your Child’s Bookcase Wordy Wednesday: FREDERICK

Posted on April 6, 2011 by viviankirkfield

Image by Sergey Yeliseev via Flickr

One of my favorite children’s picture book authors and illustrators is Leo Lionni.

His stories get to the heart of the challenges and concerns that young children face and his bold yet simple illustrations bring his characters to life.

FREDERICK is one of the four books that are part of the SHOW ME HOW Story-time Program at the local schools here in Colorado Springs. Each time I’ve read the story, the kindergarten and Pre-K children are eager to listen and then discuss the events in the book and relate them to their own lives.

FREDERICK

Written and illustrated by Leo Lionni

During the fall, a mouse family scurries around to collect seeds and nuts for the winter. One mouse, however, does not seem to be doing anything except daydreaming. Frederick explains that he is collecting sunshine, colors and words…but his family believe he is just trying to avoid the hard work. When winter comes and the long cold days and nights seem endless, Frederick entertains his family and lifts their spirits by reciting the poetry he composed while the other mice were collecting seeds and nuts.

Each one of us has special gifts and, as parents, we need to recognize and encourage our children’s strengths and talents. Sometimes this is very difficult, especially if your child does not enjoy doing what the rest of the family likes to do.

For example, most of the members of a family might love participating in all kinds of sporting activities, but one child in the family does not, preferring to draw or play a musical instrument. In a situation like this, it is even more essential for the parents to provide opportunities for that child to develop his own gifts and pursue his particular interests.

Just 15 minutes a day, reading a picture book story, will help build YOUR child’s self-esteem, develop pre-literacy skills and create a life-long parent-child bond. If you are looking for a resource that will make choosing a picture book a snap, please visit my website where you can purchase a copy of SHOW ME HOW! The book has just received the KIDLUTIONS PREFERRED PRODUCT AWARD: http://kidlutionsppa.blogspot.com/2011/04/show-me-how-build-your-childs-self.html and, as you can imagine, I am thrilled!

I’ll be at the Covered Treasures Bookstore in Monument, CO on Sunday, April 10^th from 2-3:30 and I hope everyone local to that area will stop in to say hello! There will be a Book Fair and book signing which benefits the Tri-Lakes Community Preschool Tuition Assistance Program and if you need any details, you can go to www.coveredtreasures.com. Come on over and spend a lovely afternoon in Monument and support early childhood education!

Another reminder…Tuesday, April 12^th, my blog will be hosting the book blog tour of Max, the Dog. You can visit http://readwithmax.com/blogbooktour.html for information about where Max has already been and where he will be going for the next few weeks. There are prizes to be won for those who follow the tour so please check it out.

Saturday Ramblings: Building a Life-Long Bond With Your Children

Posted on April 2, 2011 by viviankirkfield

Today I am going fly-fishing with my husband and one of our grown sons. Peter flew in yesterday from Chicago to spend the weekend with us. I know we will have an awesome time…Eleven Mile Canyon is a magical spot and we are blessed to live only an hour away.

I picked Peter up at the airport…the hug he gave me was straight from the heart. We drove to a little Vietnamese restaurant in downtown Colorado Springs because Peter knows I love to try new foods and had never had Vietnamese food before. Dinner was DELICIOUS…and my dinner companion was all a mother could ask for.

In order to be in your children’s memories tomorrow, you need to be in their life today.

Believe me…I know what it is like to be a mom of several children with a home, husband and job. It truly gets overwhelming at times. But spending time with your young children is so very important.

Just 15 minutes a day is enough time to read a picture book.

Just 15 minutes a day is enough time to do a simple craft project together.

Just 15 minutes a day is enough time to participate together in the kitchen.

Parents are busy today…that’s why I wrote SHOW ME HOW! BUILD YOUR CHILD’S SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH READING, CRAFTING AND COOKING. This unique resource is a shortcut for parents and teachers and provides story summaries of 100 picture books every young child should hear along with an easy craft project and a simple recipe for each recommended title. And right now, until April 9^th, the book is on sale for 50% off the cover price! Please visit my website to purchase and for details on the prize you can win for your preschooler.

Attention anyone local to Monument, CO…The Covered Treasures Bookstore is hosting a Book Fair to benefit the Tri-Lakes Community Preschool Tuition Assistance Program on Sunday, April 10th at 12-4pm…come on out for a wonderful day in Monument and get to meet and greet three local authors who will be signing their books. I’ll be there from 2-3:30pm. A portion of all proceeds will go to Tri-Lakes Community Preschool and I’m offering several raffle prizes. For more information: www.coveredtreasures.com