Quotable Timeless Tuesdays: World Read-Aloud Day Special

Posted on March 9, 2011 by viviankirkfield

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“You may have tangible wealth untold,

Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.

Richer than I you can never be –

I had a mother who read to me” –Strickland Gillilan

Tomorrow, March 9^th, is World Read-Aloud Day.

Around the world, organizations will be promoting the importance of books and reading aloud to children.

“The stories of childhood leave an indelible impression, and their author always has a niche in the temple of memory from which the image is never cast out to be thrown on the rubbish heap of things that are outgrown and outlived.” – Howard Pyle

It’s hard to believe that there are many places in the world (and even here in the United States) where children have NO books. I support a literary outreach program (www.bessthebookbus.org).

“No entertainment is so cheap as reading, nor any pleasure so lasting.” –Mary Wortley Montagu

I’m not a big TV fan…most of the time I would rather read a book than watch TV. But sometimes we are meant to watch something to see something special and that is what happened last night. During the episode of The Bachelor, Brad and Chris visited The Henna School, a preschool, in South Africa, in need of many things. The Bachelor team donated some much needed equipment and funds…I’ve just sent them an email asking if they would like several copies of SHOW ME HOW! I’d love to donate my book because I think it would help the teachers provide the children with fun-filled educational activities…reading aloud the picture books, doing the simple craft project and perhaps participating in preparing the easy healthful recipes.

“Reading is to the mind, what exercise is to the body.” –Richard Steele

Why is it so important to read to your child?

“The art of reading is in great part that of acquiring a better understanding of life from one’s encounter with it in a book.” –Andre Maurois

So, when should you read to your child?

“The time to read is any time…no apparatus, no appointment of time and place is necessary.”– Holbrook Jackson

And what books should you read to your child?

“A house without books is like a room without windows.” –Heinrich Mann

If you visit my website, you can purchase a copy of SHOW ME HOW, the unique resource that pinpoints 100 picture books every young child should hear. In honor of World Read-Aloud Day, I’m extending the half-price sale for another month AND there will be a WINNER of a CRAFTY EASTER BASKET, filled with safety scissors, non-toxic glue, construction paper and MORE. If you buy a copy of SHOW ME HOW! BUILD YOUR CHILD’S SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH READING, CRAFTING AND COOKING between now and April 9^th, your name will automatically be entered in a drawing for the PRIZE and it will be mailed to you in time for your child to have it for Easter. Several people ordered copies during this past week, so I will be entering their names as well.

Please stop by tomorrow for WHAT’S IN YOUR CHILD’S BOOKCASE WORDY WEDNESDAY. I’ll be reviewing another classic, ANGUS LOST.

What’s In Your Child’s Bookcase Wordy Wednesday?

Posted on February 16, 2011 by viviankirkfield

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Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed when you walk down the aisles of a bookstore or library…so many choices…which one should you pick? I know I do!

It is also difficult for parents who want to choose good books to read with their children.

These posts on Wednesdays are dedicated to busy parents and teachers who are looking for quality picture books, but don’t have a lot of time to search through the stacks.

Since this week I seem to be following a theme of LOVE, I’ve chosen I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART, one of the stories I recommend in my new parenting book.

I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART

Written by Noris Kern

Illustrated by Jean Baptiste Baronian

Polo, the baby polar bear, wonders what it means when his young caribou friend, Walter, tells him that his mother loves him with all her heart. Polo goes home to ask his mother and she explains that she loves him with her mouth when she kisses him, with her paws when she tickles him, with her belly when she hugs him; in other words, with her whole self or whole heart. Polo is extremely comforted by this revelation. Before he goes to sleep, he tells his mother that he loves her with all his heart too.

Charming illustrations and a simple text help young children enter the world between the pages of this book. Young children need to be reassured that their parents love them. All too often, we interact with our children only when we want to correct their behavior. This is really a reinforcement of their negative behavior. Perhaps, instead, we can follow the principle of Positive Parental Participation.

If you are enjoying the time you spend with your young child, whether it is reading the picture book or working on a craft project or preparing something together in the kitchen, that joyful interaction will help your child feel valued and valuable, an important step in the formation of high self-esteem.

Are you looking for great picture book recommendations and simple, easy-to-do fun-filled educational self-esteem building activities? Pick up a copy of the book that provides it all…now at a substantial saving at 50% off the cover price.

Contests – Alive and Well in Cyberspace!

Posted on December 27, 2010 by viviankirkfield

When I was a little girl, there were a few contests around that you could enter and a few shows on TV (most families didn’t even have one) where people could win money and prizes like Queen for a Day and The $64,000 Question…nothing like the contests and shows that are around today where a person can win millions of dollars.

I never realized that there is a whole world of contests out in cyberspace and I am glad to say that there are many moms (especially stay-at-home ones) who not only enter these contests and win prizes for their families, but they also broadcast the news of the contest to others. In order to enter the contest, one has to leave a comment on their blog or website and, for additional entries, you can tweet about it or post it on your Facebook page. I think it is wonderful, especially for those who are not able to get out and about much.

Today I was responding to someone who is now following me on Twitter and I discovered a contest with a fantastic prize…offered by Target to promote their support of reading and literacy program. Kudos to you, Target. It is great when big companies take some of their profits and return them to the community. So I am providing the link to the site where you can enter to win. Best of luck, everyone. I’ll try to pass along other worthwhile contests when I find them.