Reading All the Time!

Can you believe it is already August? Clearly, I cannot as I still wait on the arrival of our little baby:-) Hopefully, this week will do it for us. Austin and I have been going to the library at least once a week if not more and loving every minute of it. He is loving the puzzles and other activities the library has going on for free during the summer. So far we have seen Elmo, Olivia, and in Urbana last week there was a great musical show by Uncle Pete! I really encourage you to visit your local library or go online to see what programs/services they offer over the next few weeks. I think Austin has learned a lot more going and being a part of activities than doing coloring sheets or practice papers at home. I have been taking some pictures of him at different activities and then we talk about them when we get home. You could do the same with your child but maybe you could add in writing a caption or making your own summer journal. What a nice way of remembering some of those great learning experiences throughout your time together this summer.

So off to books... I have attached the summer reading link below if you have not been to the library to pick on up print it out for your child and have a great end of your summer reading books.

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/readinglists/

This week I read the book Thunder Boomers to Austin and we really enjoyed it! Read blow to find out more about the book and the author. Many teachers will read Thunder Cake by Patricia Polloco this fall to their students, especially in second and third grade. This would be a great companion book for that parents and teachers!

It's a hot day on the farm, and a little girl, her brother, and their mother are trying to cool off by the pond. Suddenly, dark clouds roll in. A thunder-boomer is on the way! The storm brings pounding rain and hail—and an unexpected visitor: a soggy wet stray kitten. Colorful descriptions of the storm are accompanied by lots of playful sound effects, making this free-verse poem perfect for reading aloud. Charming watercolor illustrations capture all the drama, humor, and tenderness of the text.
About the Author
Shutta Crum is a retired children's librarian. Her Clarion titles include Spitting Image and My Mountain Song. She was born in Paintsville, Kentucky, and lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan. For more information visit www.shuttacrum.com.