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.

Birthdays: Special Days On Which To Reflect

Posted on February 11, 2011 by viviankirkfield

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Today is my birthday!

I know that many people, especially as they get older, would rather not celebrate their birthdays. Perhaps they think that if they don’t let people wish them “Happy Birthday” it will keep time from slipping away. Maybe they believe that birthdays are just for young children.

For me, each birthday is an opportunity to rejoice and reflect.

I look back at the year gone by and think about everything that has happened, all that I have accomplished and all of the wonderful people whose lives have connected with mine. This past year has been especially fruitful…my new book for parents of preschoolers was published in September. My talented daughter and daughter-in-law set up my website and were instrumental in getting the book to look so amazing before it went to print. I’ve met dozens of amazing moms and dads through their blogs…many have read the book and have done terrific reviews on their sites…you can read the latest one that was posted today:

http://bookdads.com/book-review/book-review-show-me-how/

And then I give thanks for today…as Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift…that’s why they call it the present.”

I love my life…yes, sometimes it is incredibly busy…but I’m happy that I have the strength and energy to do what needs to be done (most of the time).

I love my family…supportive encouraging loving husband whom I’ve been married to for forty-three years, three awesome grown children who are happy in their own lives, three gorgeous (of course) smart (of course) and wonderful (of course) grandchildren and a dear sweet sister.

I love my friends…one I’ve known for over half a century and her prayers and good wishes raise me up on a daily basis; some whom I’ve just met through this amazing blog/internet/social networking phenomenon. but I feel close to them already.

And then I look forward to the future…with eager anticipation. Another gem from Eleanor Roosevelt sums ups how I feel: “You have to accept whatever comes, and the only important thing is that you meet it with the best you have to give.”

I’m excited about the opportunities that I have to share my passions: for picture books and for uplifting young children. The new SHOW ME HOW! story-time program for our local schools here in Colorado Springs has enabled me to be back in the Pre-K and kindergarten classrooms, surrounded by the eager smiling faces of young children. And parents and teachers who use the book will be building self-esteem, developing pre-literacy skills and creating a life-long parent-child bond.

May I share one more quote from Eleanor Roosevelt? “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

Helping children believe in the beauty of THEIR dreams is exactly what the book does! I realize that parents are often overwhelmed these days with juggling jobs, home, family and other responsibilities. It is hard to find the time to plan quality activities. That’s why the book is such a valuable tool…it is a genuine shortcut for today’s busy parents and teachers. Everything is laid out in a simple easy-to-use format…story suggestion and summary, gentle parenting tip, eco-friendly craft project and child-friendly healthful cooking activity.

After doing some market research, we’ve decided to try to make the book more affordable for parents and others (preschool teachers, nannies, daycare providers, grandparents) who want to purchase a copy. From today (my birthday) until March 9^th (World Read-Aloud Day…very appropriate, I think, because the book is all about the importance of reading to young children), the book will be on sale on my website for $22.50 per copy with FREE shipping. I am taking away the BOGO event, as that required people to purchase two copies at the same time. I hope that everyone who has been thinking about getting a copy, but were hesitant because of the price, will hop over and grab one…or more…I’ve been told they make great gifts for baby showers. 🙂

So now I will post this to my blog and close the computer and enjoy the rest of my special day! There is definitely an ice-cream sundae, a bowl of popcorn and a good movie in my plans for today!

What’s In Your Child’s Bookcase Wordy Wednesdays

Posted on February 9, 2011 by viviankirkfield

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Have you seen the Capitol One commercial on television?

The narrator asks, “What’s in your wallet?”

In this blogging journey, I’ve visited several blogs that review books and also give a list of the contents of their own bookshelves or bookcases. I thought it was a wonderful idea! I think many of us appreciate a heads up about what books to read…we have so little time…why waste it on books that are not worth those precious hours.

If you’ve followed my blog at all, you already know that I am passionate about children’s picture books and using them to uplift and help preschoolers.

Reading is one of the most valuable ways you can spend time with preschoolers. It engages them in the world between the pages and helps them relate their own experiences to those of the story characters. Discussions during the reading and afterward can often provide parents with an opportunity to help a child who has concerns or problems.

So here’s my idea for my Wednesday posts: I will choose a picture book, either from those recommended in my new parenting book or from other classic favorites of mine or from the wide array of new books that come out during the year.

As a parent, are you ever overwhelmed by the vast number of children’s books available at libraries or book stores. I know I was when my children were small.

The program I developed. during my years as a Head Start and kindergarten teacher, utilized picture books, not only for entertainment and enjoyment, but also to help young children deal with the many challenges they face in those early years. This unique program included a craft project and a cooking activity for each story read and is the basis for the book I wrote.

So, in addition to the book recommendation, I will also give a story summary and a parenting tip that will help you use the book with your young child.

Of course, if you don’t want to get these story recommendations one-by-one, and you’d like to extend the learning experience with an easy craft project and a simple child-friendly cooking activity, you can get your own copy of the book.

Does your child have a bookshelf for his or her own books?

If not, maybe now is the time to get one, because here is the first picture book recommendation, a classic from 1943! Most of the country has had snow in the last few weeks, so I think this is the perfect choice.

KATY AND THE BIG SNOW

Written and illustrated by Virginia Lee Burton

No matter what the season, Katy, the crawler-tractor, helped the highway department of the city of Geopolis. In the spring, summer and fall, she worked on fixing the roads, but in the winter, they changed the bulldozer for a snowplow. Most of the time, there was not much snow, so Katy spent most of her time during the winter in the garage. One day, a huge snowstorm caused all of the roads to be blocked, and when the other snowplows broke down, Katy was sent out. Katy plowed the entire city. She enabled the police, fire department, and other emergency services to continue helping people.

When it comes to mastering tasks and skills, Katy certainly takes first prize. By the end of the story, you and your child will be cheering for the hardworking tractor!

WE ALL NEED A CHEERING COMMITTEE AND PARENTS ARE A CHILD’S MOST IMPORTANT FANS!

As your child takes on new challenges and learns new skills, celebrate his successes with him and encourage him when he falls short of his goal.

If you are interested in getting a copy of the book, please stop by my website for the SHARE THE LOVE BOOK BOGO EVENT WITH FREE PRIORITY SHIPPING.