Libraries and bookstores are two of my favourite places. Very rarely does our library have children's new release books available so I love to visit our local bookstore and see what is in. Often I bring home books that were not on my list because I've found something different or I've taken the recommendations of the bookstore staff!
This morning we visited our local Harry Hartog Bookstore, then took our books and some lunch to the park. Want to see what books we chose?
This book is SO good!! Whose Bones: An Animal Guessing Game, Board Book by Gabrielle Balkan and Saw Brewster. In the UK we had the Book of Bones: 10 Record-Breaking Animals which is the same concept but for older children. Whose Bones is fantastic for young children and I am so thankful for this sturdy board book version.
It features six animals, the skeleton is shown on the left page and the right page opens out with the answer of who the bones belong to and just a little bit of information about the animal. The animal skeletons are all interesting, it features the Blue Whale, Somali Giraffe, Reticulated Python, Bumblebee Bat, African Bush Elephant, and a Chimpanzee. It's awesome and fun and I think it would be a hit for all children in the preschooler age group (3-5yrs). If you are a Preschool Teacher, consider this for your classroom!!
For primary age+ (5yrs+), I would recommend Book of Bones.
Be A Tree by Maria Gianferrari and Felicita Sala. The illustrations in Be A Tree caught my eye, they are so captivating and almost entrancing and alluring. This is a celebration of trees and compares how humans are much like trees and how the forest is like a community, the message is that we are stronger together.
"Our roots twine with fungi, joining all trees in the forest together. We talk, share food, store water, divide resources, alert each other to danger."
"So, be a tree. For together, we are a forest."
Sounds of the Wild by Moira Butterfield and Stephanie Fizer Coleman. I initially had Sounds of the Sky on my list - I adore both books.
My three-year-old loves most 'sound' books, and they are a nice way to attract the child's attention. I make sure our 'sound' books still meet my book criteria including that they are accurate and the sounds are real sounds.
Each double-page takes us to a different location including Madagascar, South Georgia Island, Isla Escudo de Veraguas, Ascension Island, Flores Island, Svalbard, Azores, Galapagos Islands and Sumartra. The back of the books has a continents map, showing each location includes and a few animals listed as under threat. Each right size page has at least one button to press to make an animal sound. Each location shows around five animals and a little bit of information on each animal.
The paragraphs are bite-sized and just right for the preschooler age. Although we will read one double page at a time, not usually the book from front to back, but each child will have a different attention span.
The Boy and the Sea by Camille Andros and Amy June Bates. I picked this one up after it was highly recommended by a Harry Hartog staff member. It looked sweet and nice, but it wasn't until I get to the park and read the story in full that I fell in love with it. It has a powerful message that really hits home. This is a story that I will read to my three-year-old, not one he would flip through and enjoy by himself. It is a story of a boy who has questions about life and turns to the sea for answers. The sea is always there for the boy and sometimes answers. The sea tells the boy to Dream, Love, and Be.
"From time to time, the sea was dark and dangerous. So was the boy. Other times the sea was tranquil and tender. So was the boy. But, once in a while, the sea felt the pull of something more. And the boy did, too."
Snap Under the Sea Cards. These are bright and fun. I am looking for some under-the-water type resources, I would prefer something photographic but these are eye-catching and fun. Snap cards can be used in so many ways, as a memory game but also as simple picture cards, cards for sorting, counting (octopus or starfish arms/legs), and for various language activities.
If you are looking for an adult read, I'm currently reading Raising Them: Our Adventure in Gender Creative Parenting, it is thought-provoking and challenges societal norms.
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