Northeast Ohio Parent’s Reading Room has partnered with Cleveland Public Library. Each month, the library system provides book recommendations to help bring awareness to literacy and the citywide reading initiative, “Cleveland Reads.” The goal is for Cleveland residents to collectively read one million books and/or one million minutes in 2023. Here are some recommended reads and a few tips to enhance the interactive reading experience for your child.
LOOK I’M AN ECOLOGIST
By Cathriona Hickey
This title is part of the “Look! I’m Learning” series that explores STEM topics. Aimed at preschoolers and their grown-ups, the book encourages children to use their five senses to explore the natural world. The text provides lots of prompts to start discussions about the natural world. The book includes easy projects that use materials that are on hand or easily found to build on what children see. Not only do the projects help children learn to follow directions and improve their fine motor skills, they are also a great way to spend a rainy afternoon.
JUST A WORM
By Marie Boyd
This picture book tells of the adventures of a worm, who goes out to explore a garden and is told that he is “just a worm.” As the worm encounters other garden critters, it learns about his neighbors — caterpillars, butterflies, dragonflies, and snails. And the worm learns about the important role that it plays in a healthy garden. This would be a great story to share before taking a youngster to work in the garden or dig for worms. The illustrations are created by using paper art, quilling. Boyd provides a very simple project using the technique to create a butterfly.
BORED NO MORE : THE ABCS OF WHAT TO DO WHEN THERE’S NOTHING TO DO
By Julie Reiters
This picture book provides an alphabetical list of things to do. The suggestions include both large ideas (grow a plant) and small (observe a tree). The ideas and clear illustrations can provide a starting point for adults and children to talk about how to fill empty time. The book also acknowledges that one thing to do might be to “yawn” and that it is okay for life to be boring once in a while.
THE NO-COOK COOKBOOK
By DK
This cookbook, full of detailed illustrations, includes more than 50 recipes for a young cook. It also emphasizes learning to plan healthy and nutritious meals and to use cooking implements safely. No one needs to tell the budding chefs that they are building reading skills and math skills while they are making treats. (If they have to make a grocery list, they will be improving their writing skills while they are at it.)
Interactive Reading Tips
To enhance the interactive reading experience for your child, consider these tips when exploring these fun and engaging picture books:
• Create a cozy reading space: Set up a comfortable and inviting area for reading, with cushions, blankets, and adequate lighting to encourage a positive reading environment.
• Be expressive: Use different voices, gestures, and facial expressions to bring the story to life and keep your child’s attention focused on the book.
• Encourage participation: Prompt your child to perform the actions in the book, like tapping, shaking, or tilting, and let them take the lead in exploring the interactive elements.
• Ask open-ended questions: Engage your child’s critical thinking skills by asking questions about the story, characters, or illustrations. For example, “What do you think will happen next?” or “How do you think the character feels?”
• Make connections: Relate the book’s content to your child’s life, interests, or experiences to help them understand and appreciate the story better.
• Take breaks: If your child is not fully engaged, take a break and return to the book later. Remember, the goal is to create a positive and enjoyable reading experience.
• Share your excitement: Discuss your favorite parts of the story and ask your child about theirs. This will help them develop a love for reading.
• Build a routine: Make reading an essential part of your child’s daily routine, like bedtime or after school, to foster a consistent reading habit
By incorporating these tips into your reading sessions, you can make the most of these interactive picture books and create a lasting love of reading for your child.
Sign up for Cleveland READS at clevelandreads.com.