Listening Time, a Toddler Tools book

Listening Time is one of the board books in the Toddler Tools series written by Elizabeth Verdick and illustrated by Marieka Heinlen. It teaches children how to be respectful when in a situation that requires listening, such as circle time at school. I like that it both tells and shows children how to be good listeners. To simply tell a child to be a good listener does no good if the child doesn't understand how to do it.

Verdick tells children to sit criss-cross applesauce. I use the phrase, "My eyes are open and my mouth is closed so that my ears can hear." Her words are quite similar. One set of pages says, "Good listening looks like this." and shows the children sitting respectfully with short legs and hands in their laps. That visual reminder is so important to young children. Then, when the teachers asks who is reading to listen, she shows the children still sitting respectfully, but thinking "Me!" instead of shouting it out.

As always, there is a section for parents and caregivers in the back. The most important thing is to demonstrate how to be a good listener and how to use an "indoor voice". She also provides other tips for teachers at circle time.

Again, this is a great book to use at the beginning of the school year when establishing classroom rules. It's also a great one to which teachers should periodically return to remind children of the listening rules of the classroom.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher, Free Spirit Publishing.

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I Just Am: A Story of Down Syndrome Awareness and Tolerance

I Just Am: A Story of Down Syndrome Awareness and Tolerance is written by a Bryan Lambke, a young man with Down Syndrome. He uses real photographs from his life, with captions, to illustrate that he actually is quite capable of performing certain activities that are perceived to be "normal". But what is normal? And who is really perfect?

Also included in the book is a short interview with Cheryl Rogers-Barnett, daughter of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. Her sister also was born with Down Syndrome. Tom Lambke asks her some very poignant questions about their experience back in the 1950s.

Other resources provide statistics, facts, and guidelines for interacting with those with Down Syndrome, at the back of the book. Numerous others have already endorsed this book.

The language comes straight from Bryan's heart, and the pictures speak volumes. It's nice to see a book written by a person with Down Syndrome who can actually work toward dispelling some of the associated myths and stereotypes. It's the kind of book that needs to be in every library and taught in every classroom, to help children learn to be more tolerant of the world around them.

I was honored to receive a copy of this book to review, and to be able to interview Tom and Bryan (stay tuned for that piece).

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Sharing Time

Sharing Time is one of the board books in the Toddler Tools series by Elizabeth Verdick. This book introduces the concept of sharing, which is exceptionally hard at this age. Toddlers are in the "egocentric stage". This doesn't mean that they think they are the greatest thing in the world, as the adult version of being "egocentric" implies. Instead, it means that they literally think they are the center of the universe, and have difficulty understanding the needs of others. Everything they see belongs to them.

This book demonstrates words that can be used when a child wants to share something another child is using. "May I use that?" "Can I have a turn?" are important phrases for children to understand and to use. Ideally, the other person will say yes, but sometimes the other child is going to say no. Strategies are given for the child who has been denied: take a deep breath, ask for help, etc.

It's important for children to understand that they can't take something away from another person without permission. It's important for them to understand that they have the right to say no when asked to share, but can offer up some sort of a compromise for later. This book is a great way to lay that foundation.

In my classroom, we also utilize a Peace Table to help children use these words and to compromise on sharing materials and friends.

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I received a review copy of this title from the publisher, Free Spirit Publishing.

Bye-Bye Time Board Book

Bye-Bye Time is one of the board books in Elizabeth Verdick's Toddler Tools series. This one addresses the tough issue of separating from the parent when arriving at daycare, school, or even a babysitter.

The book clearly acknowledges the conflicting feelings of the child, who is scared to leave her parent, though happy about the activities in which she can now participate. It provides a sample "bye-bye" routine that parents and children can follow. Routine is very important to young children, as it helps them feel secure in knowing what comes next. It shows the child some options for self-calming, such as breathing deeply, crying, and going to a quiet corner. My favorite illustration is the one of the other children trying to console the sad child, including offering a tissue, as we encourage our children to do this in my classroom.

As always, at the end of the book are strategies and tips for parents to follow. It's nice to see the words that come out of my mouth to parents being echoed in a book. Prepare the child for saying goodbye. Have a goodbye routine. Don't sneak out, as the child will become more nervous and agitated upon realizing you're gone. But go ahead and go, as the child usually does calm down within a few minutes.

This is a book that I am going to recommend to all of my new parents, and to those whose children are still having difficulty with goodbyes.

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I received a review copy of this title from the publisher, Free Spirit Publishing.

Manners Time

Manners Time is one of the books in Elizabeth Verdick's Toddler Tools series. This board book teaches young children how to be polite. They learn how to say "Hello" and "Goodbye" with a wave and a smile. They practice using "Please," "Thank you," "You're welcome," and "Excuse me". They learn appropriate times to say, "I'm sorry," as well as "I forgive you".

Just as in her other books, Elizabeth Verdick uses age-appropriate language and situations to illustrate the social courtesies contained within. She also follows up with a guide for parents and caregivers to use to reinforce these manners. I particularly like how she points out that children also learn by example, so adults need to demonstrate respect in their daily activities. She also points out that the skills in this book simply lay the foundation for future social interactions. The teaching must continue throughout the child's life.

I have used this book in my classroom of 3-6 year-olds to remind them of those basic courtesies that need to be extended to everyone. They need daily reminders and examples to really internalize them. This book would be great for parents to read on a daily basis with their young ones.

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I received a review copy of this book from the publishers, Free Spirit publishing.

Dear Children of the Earth: A letter from Home

Dear Children of the Earth: A letter from Home is the first book created by world-renowned artist Schim Schimmel. In it, Mother Earth is writing a letter to her children, the humans, asking them to please remember to take care of her. She has provided so much for her children and takes care of them. She points out that when we look into the mirror, we only see ourselves. But when she looks into the mirror, she sees all of the animals who live on her. And she reminds us that we are all one big family.

Mother Earth points out how humans have been destructing her gifts as they carelessly cut down trees in forests, thus taking away so many animal homes. They are dumping garbage into the rivers and oceans, polluting the waters that sustain so many. They don't realize how strong the impact of one person actually is, whether it be positive or negative. She hopes that her children will strive for the positive impacts.

Mother Earth simply has one request: Love her. By loving her, and showing her how you love her, you can show the others in our family to love and care for her, as well.

Her message is important, for both the young and the old. We always need to be aware of our actions, as the impact is often more far-reaching than we can ever imagine.

The paintings that illustrate this book are those for which Mr. Schimmel is most famous. He paints the masterful creatures of the wild in majestic scenes that encompass their natural environment and the beauty of the Earth, all rolled into one. They are awe-inspiring when one looks at the detail and realizes that these were created with acrylic paints. A picture is worth a thousand words - this book speaks volumes.

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I received a copy of this book from the author as a part of my association with BookPleasures.com.

Children of the Earth...Remember

Children of the Earth...Remember is the second book created by artist Schim Schimmel. It tells the story of Mother Earth coming to be in the Universe, first inhabited by animals who loved her. And then, the humans came. The idea was for humans and animals to live together in harmony. But the humans do not have the same affinity for their Mother as the animals do. As their numbers have increased over the centuries, they have started to forget how to live in harmony with their animal family, and their dear Mother is losing her beauty as she is being abused.

But the animals remember. They remember their Mother's lushness and beauty that existed long before the humans came. They remember what it was like to live in harmony. And they strive to remind the humans of these things. Humans need to reconnect with their animal family to remember how to take care of their Mother Earth, who is their home.

Again, I am mesmerized by the surrealist artwork contained within this book. When reading it to my students, ages 3-6, they question again and again if these paintings are real or painted. They evoke emotion through their vivid beauty and intricate detail. You become inspired to get motivated to help.

The message of the book is a recurrent theme in Mr. Schimmel's works: The Earth is ours, but we share it with the animals, as well. It is up to us to protect it for all life found on her. We need to remember how she used to be and strive to bring her back to her former glory.

This book is a great way to start even the youngest child on the right path of caring and helping.

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I received this book from Mr. Schimmel as part of my association with BookPleasures.com.

The Family of Earth

The Family of Earth by Schim Schimmel is another one of the artist's stories containing his self-proclaimed Environmental Visionary Surrealism masterpieces.

The message of this book is quite simple: though we all basically live in our own little worlds, the truth of the matter is that we share one world. Though the dolphins in the sea have never witnessed the majesty of the desert, it is still the same world. Though leopards have never shared space with the penguins, they are still part of the same world. The fact that we all inhabit the same world makes us one big family.

The same message could be applied to all of the human races on earth.

Schim Schimmel's amazing works of art reflect his words, but are even more powerful. I particularly like the painting of a school of dolphins swimming in an ocean below a canyon. The words on the page read, "We share the canyons and the oceans." Those words cannot be made clearer than the painting below them.

All of the paintings are breathtaking, in true Schimmel style. This is a book that should be read by old and young, alike, to remind them of the gifts given to us on this Earth. We only have one, and we need to take care of her!

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I received a copy of this book from the author, Mr. Schim Schimmel.

Naptime Board Book

Naptime is one of the titles in Elizabeth Verdick's Toddler Tools board book series. In this one, Mommy tells the child it is time for bed. At first he wants to resist, but then she reminds him that napping is important to help him feel good throughout the day. He has a little routine that he follows to help him settle down for naptime, then....zzzzzzzzzz.........

The rhyming story is one that toddlers are going to enjoy and easily pick up as a part of their routine catch phrases throughout the day, for which Verdick is famous. The pictures portray an adorable young boy telling his story and will be appealing to young children. Even though they cannot read the story, the pictures clearly tell what is happening. The board book format is extremely sturdy, which will allow for repeated readings.

At the end of the book is a resource area for parents and caregivers. It explains the importance of getting enough sleep, and makes suggestions as to how to make naptime be a success. It is definitely a book that will become a favorite in a house with toddlers, and can even be used before naptime at school or daycare.

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I received a review copy of this book from Free Spirit Publishers.

Genies

Genies is a book written for tweens that strongly resembles the Harry Potter series. In this book, Orchid Bloom is a young girl who, after being orphaned, is sent to live with her Aunt Mary and Uncle Tom. Naturally, they absolutely despise her and can't wait to send her away.

One day when out shopping, Orchid comes across a beautiful bottle that she thinks will perfectly match her aunt's collection. She purchases it for her, hoping that it will win her residency for a longer term at their house. Instead, she discovers that when she opens it, Stardust comes out of it, causing her to sneeze. And with the Stardust is a Genie.

The Genie is named Willow. Willow informs Orchid that she, too, is a genie, and helps her get all of the belongings that she requires for that first day of school on.....September 1st.....to which she arrives via.....train.

Of course, Orchid meets her new best friends on the train, as well as running into her arch-nemesis, a blond-haired genie named Storm.

The tweens have to take several magical classes at school as well as preparing for a magical sport, called Yowstick. Orchid is, of course, a natural.

While balancing all of this, Orchid and her friends also find out about a diabolical plan by the evil Jinn to steal a magical stone that will allow him to wish for anything in the world forever.

Despite the glaring similarities to the Harry Potter franchise, the book is an easy read and should delight tween readers, particularly girls. I did find it somewhat enjoyable and read it quite quickly. At that age I would have been grateful to have something else in the genre to read, especially now that Harry Potter is over.

Also fun in this book are numerous puns and plays on words. For example, upon arriving at the school, Orchid is informed that she is going to be read the "Riot Act," which is a list of school rules. Anything that the genie girls say, actually happens. When they say that they have seen things that would make your hair curl, their hair curls, then straightens again. The puns are great for a grin interspersed throughout the text. They could also be used in an English class.

The copy that I received from the author unfortunately has some typos and formatting errors that were very noticeable to my eye. I am hoping that the copies available for purchase have been corrected!

Stay tuned for an interview with Olivia C. Grosser.

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