Monday, May 11, 2009

Happy Children's Book Week!


That's right. Children's Book Week runs from today, May 11, through the 17th. Not only that, but it's a round number anniversary this year as the event marks its 90th birthday in the United States. You can read all about it on the history page of the official Children's Book Week website. There's more information/musings on Geek Dad, Education World (mostly lesson plans and activities), and even Crayola.com. Tomorrow right here in Manhattan they'll announce the winners of the secon annual Children's Choice Book Awards, but there are other events going on throughout the country; if in doubt check with your local library. 

At our house we didn't really plan this to coincide with the event, but here at home we marked a milestone yesterday when I started reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to Loretta. I told her she's big enough she doesn't need pictures on every page, and she was hesitant at first but then wouldn't let me stop after the first (or second or third) chapter. So that was a success--we've now entered the "serial storybook stage" where I can read her Charlotte's Web, The Wind in the Willows, Pinnochio, and all those other paperbacks that have been taking up half of a shelf on her bookshelf. (We've told her long stories before and greatly enjoyed some text-heavy books like Beatrice Potter, but this is a first to launch into a chapter book with her complete knowledge; maybe that puts us behind the curve but I think it's pretty cool still.) Today at bedtime, however, we read Al Perkins' Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb because I'm trying to get some sight words and phonics out of it. And it's a great book.

No comments: