Ways for Children to Celebrate Dr. Seuss' Birthday on March 2nd

Ways for Children to Celebrate Dr. Seuss' Birthday on March 2nd

March 2 marks a special day for children and book lovers everywhere—Dr. Seuss' birthday! The beloved author, known for his whimsical characters and rhyming texts, has entertained generations and inspired a love for reading. Here are some creative ways for children to celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday while sparking their imaginations and encouraging their love for books.

Host a Dr. Seuss Themed Reading Hour

Set aside an hour for children to dive into the colorful world of Dr. Seuss. Gather a collection of his most popular books, such as "The Cat in the Hat," "Green Eggs and Ham," and "Oh, The Places You'll Go!" Create a cozy reading corner with blankets and cushions. Encourage kids to take turns reading aloud or even reenacting their favorite scenes. This not only promotes reading but also boosts their confidence in speaking in front of others.

Create Seuss-Sical Art Projects

Unleash creativity with some Seuss-inspired art projects! Encourage children to illustrate their favorite characters or create their own whimsical creatures using various art supplies like construction paper, markers, and glue. They can design their own "One Fish Two Fish" scenes or draw a landscape from "The Lorax." Host an art exhibit to showcase their creations, allowing kids to explain their work, fostering both creativity and communication skills.

Organize a Dr. Seuss Costume Parade

Bring the stories to life by organizing a costume parade! Children can dress up as their favorite Dr. Seuss characters—be it the mischievous Cat in the Hat, the sneaky Lorax, or even the colorful Yertle the Turtle. This event can be a fantastic way to have fun while promoting reading, as kids share who they are dressed as and the story behind that character. Capture the moment with photos and even award fun prizes for the most creative costumes!

Make Green Eggs and Ham for Breakfast

What better way to start the day than with a breakfast inspired by one of Dr. Seuss' most famous books? Prepare a breakfast feast of green eggs and ham! You can use food coloring to create the green eggs, making it an exciting and fun meal. Involve the kids in the cooking process, letting them mix and stir while discussing their favorite Seuss stories. This interactive experience combines culinary fun with literary lessons.

Incorporate Seuss into Learning Activities

Make your educational activities fun by incorporating Dr. Seuss. You can create word games featuring rhyming words or organize a scavenger hunt based on characters from his books. These activities not only celebrate the author's legacy but also make learning enjoyable and engaging for children.

Dr. Seuss' birthday is not just a day to celebrate an author; it’s an opportunity to instill a love of reading in children. By engaging them in these fun and interactive activities, you help foster creativity, communication, and critical thinking skills. So, gather your kids and supplies and make this March 2 a memorable tribute to the wonderful world of Dr. Seuss!

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Ways for Children to Celebrate Dr. Seuss' Birthday on March 2nd

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The Life Cycle of the Butterfly

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As You Grow by Kirk Cameron and Brave Books (Children's Book Review)

As You Grow by Kirk Cameron and Brave Books

I don't write a whole lot about controversial topics on this blog.  I prefer to write more about the things we have in common regarding faith, family, food, and fun.  I like to think of my blog as my fun little place in cyberspace.  With a few exceptions, I try to save controversial topics for a place where discussions are much more constructive - in person with an open Bible in front of me.  When it comes to controversial topics, I'm less concerned about whether or not people share my opinion and more concerned about whether or not people know and understand Biblical truths.  It doesn't matter what I think.  What matters is what God says.  We know what God says about controversial topics by reading His Word.  When my children were growing up, we started them out on children's Bibles and Bible storybooks written for children so they could better understand the true historical events recorded in the Bible and what they mean.  We also read a lot of other children's books.  As a teacher, I knew the importance of reading and the positive impact that reading has on a child's life.  As our culture becomes more and more controversial, it becomes more challenging to write about abundant family living without addressing cultural concerns, especially those that negatively impact children.  One of my HUGE concerns is the direction our culture is going regarding children's books.  Children need to be children.  They don't need to be concerned about sexuality or any other adult topic.  They'll get there soon enough.  This brings me to today's post, a book review of As You Grow by Kirk Cameron.

You might have seen the videos on your social media feed, or perhaps you've seen a commercial on television about Kirk Cameron's book, As You Grow, and his affiliation with Brave Books.  When I saw Kirk's video, I became interested in Brave Books.  I used to promote another line of children's books, but I became concerned about some of the teachings in some of the books.  After considering the impact those books would likely have on a child's worldview, I decided to drop the company.  After looking into Brave Books, I decided that this is a book company I can support.  Brave Books are Pro-God and Pro-America.  Brave Books are faith-based children's books that teach traditional conservative values.  

About Brave Books

Meet Trent Talbot, founder of Brave Books.

I liked what I saw and what I learned about this publisher, so I ordered As You Grow by Kirk Cameron.

As You Grow by Kirk Cameron and Brave Books

When I ordered As You Grow, I didn't realize the book is actually book 8 in Saga 2 of a series.  I thought I might miss a lot in the story since I've not read the books in the series prior to this one.  I was happy to find out that this book can be read as a stand-alone book.  The story is about a tree called Sky Tree,  Sky Tree is located on Freedom Island.  Starting as a seed, Sky Tree grows into a big tree, a tree that grew through trials and triumphs.  Humans grow through trials and triumphs as well.  

As you read this book with your child, you will read words of wisdom about love, joy, and gentleness.  

As You Grow, Page Image 1

As You Grow teaches children that as seasons change, they will grow and change.  Through all these changes and growth, their fruit (the way they live their lives and point to Jesus) should be sweet.

As You Grow, Page Image 2

Children process emotional hurt differently than adults because they don't always understand what is happening.  They need to know that sometimes love does hurt but love is always worth it.  This might be challenging for kids to understand.  This is a good time for parents to discuss situations with their children when love hurt them, but it was worth it.  Obviously, children need to understand that some people have a different definition or view of what love is and sometimes those views are distorted.  Those views are not real love.  Help your children understand the difference.  Abuse is never OK.  

As You Grow, Page Image 3

I wish we could create a world for our kids where they know no sorrow, but this is not possible.  Sadly, kids experience sorrow.  Children don't have a good sense of the passage of time.  To a child who is experiencing sorrow, he or she might think their sadness will last forever.  Help your child realize that our greatest sorrows can lead to our greatest joys.  We have to trust God through the process.

As You Grow, Page Image 4

Strength and gentleness are not just for adults. Children can learn to radiate strength and gentleness, too, and realize that others will be drawn to them through their strength and gentleness.  

At the end of the book, Kirk offers a challenge.  In this particular challenge, the child's mission is to save Sky Tree from Black Heart, the evil Tiger.

As You Grow, Page Image 5

After the challenge, kids are offered three games.  The first game focuses on love.  The second game focuses on joy.  The third game focuses on gentleness.

As You Grow, Page Image 6

As You Grow is recommended for children between the ages of 4 and 12.  You might notice that some of the other reviews on Amazon point out that this book is better for older children.  They also point out that the illustrations are too busy for younger children.  On the one hand, I agree with those statements, but on the other hand, I don't.  Children grow, learn, and mature at different rates so it really depends on the child.  I suggest that parents read this book with their children, no matter their ages.  Parents can offer a wealth of insight about the truths on the pages of this book.  As far as the illustrations go, they are a little busy, but they are also beautiful.  As the book's author, Kirk Cameron demonstrates in the following two videos, the illustrations offer many things parents can discuss with their children as they read with them.

Kirk Cameron reads As You Grow at the Indianapolis Public Library (Part 1)

Kirk Cameron reads As You Grow at the Indianapolis Public Library (Part 2)

 

If you are a parent who is concerned about inappropriate topics your child might find in a children's book, you should check out Brave Books. After reading As You Grow, I subscribed to their Freedom Island Book Club. I look forward to reading these books with my granddaughter (and future grandchildren) and to sharing many more books from Brave Books with you. Be sure to subscribe here so you won't miss my next post.  

May you live abundantly in Him,

Tina

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As You Grow by Kirk Cameron and Brave Books

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Jax's Tail Twitches by David Powlison

 Jax's Tail Twitches

Jax's Tail Twitches is part of the Good News for Little Hearts series.  Each story in the series focuses on a real-life issue while entertaining children with cute animal stories of hope.  Jax's Tail Twitches is written to help children deal with anger.  Jax's tail twitches when he gets angry.

Jax's family is a family of squirrels living in their own tree.  It's time to gather acorns for winter, so the whole family needs to help.  

The day begins with Jax and his brother, Caspian, racing to the kitchen for breakfast.  Jax becomes angry at Caspian for tripping him so that he can beat Jax to the kitchen.  

Later on, while the family gathers the acorns from their tree, another squirrel family, the McNuffles, shows up and begins gathering acorns from Jax's family's tree.  Papa Squirrel doesn't want to share his acorns with the McNuffles because the rule book says that each squirrel family must gather acorns from their own family tree.  

While Papa and Mr. McNuffle argue over sharing acorns, Jax and Caspian race about.  Baby Jolie takes a leap and lands in Papa Squirrel's acorn bag, scattering the acorns all around.  Then Mama Squirrel remembers that her dinner is burning.  

When Jax's family returns to their nest home, they are all angry for different reasons. Jax realizes that they are all angry because they didn't get what they wanted.  

Jax's Tail Twitches by David Powlison

Jax's family members agree that they are all angry over selfish reasons.  Papa Squirrel reminds his family that the Great Book says that anger does not produce the right and good life God wants us to have.  They all agree that they acted in ways that were not right and they need God to help them with their anger.  They need Jesus to forgive them and show them each where they were wrong.  Then, they bowed their heads to pray.

The story wraps up when both squirrel families meet again at the bottom of the tree to finish gathering food for the winter.  They admit to each other where they were wrong and they all ask for forgiveness.  Then, they share a meal and food for the winter.

Jax's Tail Twitches is a sweet story that teaches children that we all get angry from time to time, but when we do get angry, it is important to ask God to show us any place where we are wrong.  Then, we need to ask for forgiveness both from God and from the person we might have wronged in our anger.  

The back of the book offers two helpful resources for helping families help their children with anger.  There is a section called "Helping Your Child with Anger."  This section has 9 points of advice for parents to help them help their children with anger.  

Jax's Tail Twitches by David Powlison

At the very end of the book, there is a section of pocket Bible verse cards that children can cut out and carry in their pockets.  When they feel angry, they can pull the cards from their pocket and read them for encouragement through times of trouble when they might feel angry.

Jax's Tail Twitches by David Powlison

You can get your copy of Jax's Tail Twitches here.

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Jax's Tail Twitches by David Powlison

Zoe's Hiding Place by David Powlison

Zoe's Hiding Place by David Powlison

Tucked underneath her purple patchwork quilt, Zoe feels safe.  There she is in a place where she has no worries.  Zoe is safe and cozy under her patchwork quilt, Zoe's hiding place.  When Zoe jumps out of bed and is no longer under her quilt, she doesn't always feel so safe.

 The story opens up with a Bible verse:

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. - Psalm 46:1

On this particular day, Zoe learns that her class has been invited back to the Mulberry Meadow Art Museum.  The last time her class visited the museum, Zoe had a bad experience, so she was not excited about the upcoming field trip.  In fact, Zoe is afraid to go again.  On her way home that afternoon, Zoe's mind was filled with fear and worry.  As soon as Zoe returned home, she went immediately to her room to get into her hiding place underneath her cozy patchwork quilt.  

Zoe's mind was filled with fear and worry.

Zoe's mom explains to Zoe that worry wants her to believe that she is all alone and that God isn't with her to protect her.  Zoe's mom explains to Zoe that Jesus is always with her.  Jesus cares for her.  Zoe's mom shares a verse from the Great Book with Zoe that says God is your refuge, a safe place from trouble and fear.  Zoe decides that God reminds her of her cozy purple patchwork quilt.  Zoe's mom shares another verse from the Great Book and then tells Zoe to turn each fear into a prayer. 

The next morning, Zoe's dad gives her a handwritten note that says, "The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious."  He tells Zoe to pull out the note and read it when she feels afraid.

Zoe learns that God will keep her safe.

Zoe's second experience at the Mulberry Art Museum is not exactly uneventful, but this time around, Zoe's parents have shared the truth with her to help her navigate troublesome experiences that can result in fear and anxiety.  

At the end of the story, there is a section for parents.  In this section of the book, parents are given 10 points for helping children with anxiety.  Each point gives good advice for parents and children.  

Helping Your Child with Anxiety

At the very end of Zoe's Hiding Place, you'll find pocket Bible verses.  These pages can be cut out of the book so that your child can carry the pocket Bible verses with him or her wherever he or she goes.  Your child can carry the cards in a jacket pocket, pants pocket, or purse so that he or she can pull out the Bible verse cards to read them when he or she feel afraid or anxious.

Pocket Bible Verses

Now, let me tell you a few things about the illustrations.  This book is illustrated by Joe Hox.  The illustrations are so cute!  The pages are colorful and very appealing to the eye.  Your child might enjoy finding everyday objects that decorate Zoe's house. For example, I noticed a cola bottle cap and tabs were used to make a nightstand.  Zoe's bed frame is made from pencils and a comb.  There is a postage stamp on the wall for wall decor.  Buttons and game pieces adorn the kitchen, while the table is made from a jar lid and wooden clothespins. 

Zoe's Hiding Place is a well-illustrated, good Scripture-based story for helping children deal with fear and anxiety.  I think it will help adults too.

Zoe's Hiding Place is written by David Powlison.  It is part of the Good News for Little Hearts Series.

Get your copy here!

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Zoe's Hiding Place

Halle Takes a Stand: When You Want to Fit In (Children's Book Review)

Peer Pressure.  It's something that, if we are honest with ourselves, we have all faced whether it was something as simple as pretending to like a movie you really hated or as complex as making a decision that was life altering for you or for someone else - perhaps in the most negative way - just to fit in.  We all want to be included.  No one really likes to be ignored or mocked.  Peer pressure is something we usually associate with kids but it is an adult issue too.  This book is written for children but adults could learn a lesson from it as well.  Halle Takes a Stand:  When You Want to Fit In is a good literary resource for your child's library.  Halle Takes a Stand is a story created by Jocelyn Flenders, a homeschool mom who is also a writer and editor in Philadelphia.  Jocelyn graduated from Lancaster Bible College.  Her background includes intercultural studies and counseling.  Halle Takes a Stand is part of her first published work for children, the Good News for Little Hearts series.

My review is based on the 2020 version of Halle Takes a Stand, edited by Paul David Tripp and illustrated by Joe Hox.  

The Good News for Little Hearts series is based on the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation's model of help and hope.  Each story focuses on a real life issue with the goal of encouraging young readers to develop a deeper relationship with Jesus.  These stories connect the Bible to issues children often face, helping them to follow Jesus when faced with challenging circumstances.  The focal Bible verse for Halle Takes a Stand is Proverbs 29:25.

 If you are afraid of people, it will trap you.  But if you trust in the Lord, He will keep you safe.  Proverbs 29:25

Halle Takes a Stand:  When You Want to Fit In

This cute but important story is about a little hedghog named Halle.  Halle is faced with challenging circumstances at school where she makes a poor decision in order to fit in with her peer group.  Halle's decision hurts her friend, Freya the frog.  When Mr. Owl, the teacher, overhears the group at lunch, he confronts Halle about her choice and sends a note home to Halle's parents.  

Halle almost blames her poor choice on a classmate, but then decides to take responsibility for her own actions.  This is another lesson to be learned in this story.  

After dinner, Halle gives her parents the note from Mr. Owl and tells them what happened at school earlier that day.  Halle could have hidden the note or lied about what happened but she tells her Mama and Papa the truth.  

Halle's parents could have been angry with her.  They could have punished her harshly but instead, they discuss the situation with Halle in a way that helps her understand how her decision hurt her friend.  Her mom shares her own childhood story about a time when she was humiliated by the actions of another.  Papa shares with Halle that Jesus wants her (all of us) to walk in His example of friendship and love.

"Doing the right thing is not easy.  But the Great Book (the Bible) says that Jesus welcomes the friendless to His table.  He welcomes those who are different.  He wants us to walk in this same love." - Papa Hedgehog

Halle's parents help her see how her fear of her peer trapped her into a poor decision that hurt someone else.  They also remind her that Jesus forgives when we ask Him and then they pray with Halle.

The next day, Halle makes the right decision regarding her peer group and the friend she hurt.  Her wise choice results in a little bit of an unexpected ending.  

After the story, parents will find a section designed to help them help their children with peer pressure. There are 8 points of interest, one of which is a warning against placing our trust in the wrong person.  We should never put our peers in the place of God in our lives.  When Halle placed her peer in God's place in her life, she was trapped into making the wrong choice which resulted in hurt. This is a lesson for adults as well.  

In the back of the book, there are four perforated Back Pocket Bible Verse Cards.  Children can place these cards in their pockets so they'll have them available for encouragement when faced with challenging peer pressure type circumstances.

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Treasury Collection of Christmas Pop Up Books

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living (Tina Truelove)

The Treasury Collection of Christmas Pop Up Books

The Treasury Collection of Christmas Pop-Up Books includes four stories:

Silent Night by Joseph Mohr and Franz Gruber.  Silent Night is illustrated by Peter Church.

Santa’s Toy Shop by Michelle Andrews.  Santa’s Toy Shop is illustrated by Bob Lynch.

The Shepherd’s Christmas by Michelle Andrews.  The Shepherd’s Christmas is illustrated by John Gurney.

The First Christmas Tree by Mary Tchir.  The First Christmas Tree is illustrated by Loretta Lustig.

Silent Night

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living (Tina Truelove)

Silent Night is simply the song. On each page, the reader reads a verse to the song, Silent Night, while looking at the pop up illustrations.

Santa's Toy Shop

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living (Tina Truelove)

Santa’s Toy Shop opens with Santa waiting for the last letters from the children. Snow is falling and an elf enters the room with the letters. The next page explains the toys Santa and the elves make for the children. The book ends as Santa and the elves load the sleigh. Santa takes off to deliver the toys.

The Shepherd's Christmas

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living (Tina Truelove)

The Shepherd’s Christmas opens with a little shepherd boy looking for a lost sheep. As he spots the sheep, an angel appears and informs him of a Savior who has just been born. The angel tells the boy to follow the star to find the baby. The boy tells other shepherds and they all head out to find the baby. The boy, still carrying the sheep, and the other shepherds find the baby and rejoice.

The First Christmas Tree

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living (Tina Truelove)

The First Christmas Tree opens with chipmunks playing in a forest. They come upon a sad tree. The tree is sad because he has no one to celebrate Christmas with. The chipmunks and other animals gather berries, nuts, pine cones, and other objects from the forest with which to decorate the lonely tree. The animals explain that they have never had a Christmas tree and this tree will be their first one. The tree turns out beautiful. The animals and the tree celebrate Christmas together.

The stories are short and sweet. The authors successfully complete a full story within just a few pages which makes sense to little children. The stories easily fit within the boundaries of little attention spans.

Each book is only six pages long. The pop out illustrations are very good, but the books are poorly constructed. The pages will easily tear. Adults will need to supervise the use of these books if they wish to enjoy them for more than a few days.

Here are several other Christmas books your child will enjoy.

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Are you looking for a dessert idea for your Christmas table?  How about adding a chocolate cobbler?

Chocolate Cobbler

Creepy Crawlies: Questions and Answers About Bugs

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living (Tina Truelove)

Creepy Crawlies

Little Minds Want to Know

Adults may not be the biggest fans of bugs, but children love them. One of the most popular books in my preschool class is Creepy Crawlies by John Stidworthy. Creepy Crawlies answers many questions kids have about all sorts of . . . well, creepy crawlies. The book holds the interest of very young toddlers who are just learning to love books to school age children. The pages are informative and the illustrations are pretty realistic, almost like looking at photographs. Creepy Crawlies is illustrated by Michael Posen. It is a Dempsey Parr Book first published in 2000.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living (Tina Truelove)

 Children learn the answers to questions such as:

Which spiders make the biggest webs?
How many eyes does a spider have?
Which spiders are human killers?
Can spiders fly?
Where do the biggest scorpions live?
Why do ticks drink blood?
How can you tell a millipede from a centipede?
Why are some termites magnetic?
How do ants know each other?
Why are bees hairy?
How many kinds of wasps are there?
What is the biggest dragonfly?
How do cicadas sing?
Which bugs stink?
Do grasshoppers have ears?
Which flies are helpful to police?
Which beetles shoot their enemies?
How are the colors of butterflies made?
Which worm sucks blood?
How do snails make shells?

Creepy Crawlies chapters include:

Spiders
Scorpions, Ticks, Mites, and Millipedes
Termites
Ants
Bees and Wasps
Dragonflies, Mantids, and Stick Insects
Bugs
Locusts and Grasshoppers
Fleas and Lice
Flies
Beetles
Butterflies and Moths
Worms
Slugs and Snails

Creepy Crawlies is also great for young children because you don’t necessarily need to read the book from cover to cover. Many children will want to read it all because it is full of information and colorful pictures, but if time is limited or a child is interested in a particular bug, you can choose to read only certain pages or chapters.

Who knows? You might even develop a surprising interest in a bug or two . . . or maybe not.

Supplemental Activities and Resources

Make a Worm Hotel:   Mix alternating layers of sand and potting soil into a large glass jar, like a Mason canning jar. Put in 3 or 4 healthy earthworms. Add enough water for moisture but don’t flood the contents. Earthworms prefer the dark, so cover the jar with dark construction paper or tightly woven cloth. Secure the paper with a rubber band or yarn, but do not seal the jar with a lid. If you do, the worms will suffocate. After a few days, take a look. If the worms have been busy, as they should be, the layers of sand and soil will be all mixed up.

Plaster of Paris Beetles:  You can purchase Plaster of Paris here and at most craft stores. Mix it up according to the directions and pour the mixture into a plastic spoon. Rub petroleum jelly on the spoon first.  It will make it easier to remove the hardened plaster later.  Allow the mixture to dry for 24 hours. Then, slide the plaster from the spoon. It should resemble a beetle when turned with the rounded side up. Show the children photographs of beetles and supply them with paints and brushes. Instruct the children to paint their own beetle.

Create a Bug:  Supply the children with paper plates, toilet paper tubes and paper towel tubes, construction paper, beads, beans, pom-poms, glue, and anything else you want to add. Instruct the children to create their own bug.   Let them create!

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Creepy Crawlies: Questions and Answers About Bugs

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living (Tina Truelove)

Jamie O'Rourke and the Pooka by Tomie DePaola

Jamie O’Rourke and his wife, Eileen, live in Ireland. Eileen wishes to spend a week visiting with her sister who has a new baby. Eileen leaves their home nice and clean and even pre-cooks and stores her husband’s meals for the week. All she asks him to do is clean up after himself each night and sweep the floor. Eileen leaves to visit her sister while Jamie, lazy as he is, decides to go to bed. He feels that if he stays in bed, he will not be cluttering up the cottage.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living (Tina Truelove)

Three friends come to visit with Jamie. They bring cider and ask Jamie for dishes and food. They enjoy a nice visit, but Jamie’s friends leave him to clean up the mess all by himself. Jamie leaves the mess and goes to bed. During the night, a donkey-like animal comes into the cottage. It is a Pooka.

The Pooka cleans up the mess and leaves. The next morning, Jamie’s three friends come back with more cider. Jamie tells them that he got up early and cleaned up the mess. Jamie and his friends have more cider and feast again. Once again, the three friends leave the mess for Jamie to clean up all by himself. Instead of cleaning up the mess, Jamie goes back to bed and waits for the Pooka to return.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living (Tina Truelove)

Once again, the Pooka returns. Jamie has his friends over every night. Every night they make a mess. Every night they leave Jamie to clean up the mess. Every night Jamie goes to bed and waits on the Pooka to return. Every night, the Pooka returns and cleans up the mess.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living (Tina Truelove)

One night, Jamie decides to ask the Pooka why he continues to return to clean up after him and his three messy friends. The Pooka tells Jamie it is punishment he received because he was once a lazy servant. He tells Jamie he doesn’t mind, but he gets cold after he cleans up and goes outside. He asks Jamie for a warm coat.

The next night, Jamie has a warm coat for the Pooka, but the story might not end like you expect.

After reading the story, discuss the consequences of being lazy with the child. Ask questions such as:

Did Jamie O’Rourke have a good attitude or a bad attitude at the end of the story?

Who was really ungrateful? Jamie or the Pooka?

Are there times when you feel lazy and don’t want to do your chores?

Is it right to let someone else do your work for you?

Should we do our work even when we don’t feel like it? (Take this opportunity to discuss responsibility.)

How can we avoid feeling lazy?

How might eating healthy foods and getting enough exercise help us have more energy and feel less lazy? (Take this opportunity to discuss proper nutrition and exercise with the child.)

A Pooka, in Irish folktales, is an animal spirit. Read other Irish folktales to your child. Learn about and discuss Irish culture with the child.  Discuss the differences between imaginary stories and real life.  Very young children sometimes have difficulty knowing the difference between imaginary stories and reality.

Above all, have fun learning and reading together!

Jamie O’Rourke and the Pooka was written and illustrated by Tomie DePaola. The book was published in the year 2000 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons.  You can see from the pictures above that the illustrations are bright and fun.

Applications to Education – Just a Few Suggestions

Making Predictions

Before reading the story, ask the children to look at the book cover. Encourage them to imagine what a “Pooka” might be and what it might look like. Ask questions such as:

1. Do you think the Pooka will help Jamie?

2. Do you think the Pooka will be Jamie’s friend or his enemy?

The children will likely come up with all sorts of predictions about what might happen in the book. Write their predictions on a chart. Then, after reading the book, look at the chart and see how many predictions were accurate.

Sequencing

Prepare a series of sequencing cards illustrating key events in the story. You can write a few short sentences about the event or you can draw a simple illustration. After reading the story, ask the children to place the cards in order according to the order they happened in the story. You can make several sets of cards and do this in small groups.

Retelling

Ask them to retell the story. Not only does this help you evaluate comprehension, but it’s fun.

Encouraging Imagination

Instruct the children to create an alternative ending to the story. Encourage them to share how they could use a Pooka in their own homes. With what chores would he be most helpful? What would their parents think?

Crafting

Supply the children with craft supplies and instruct them to create their own Pooka

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