Sturdy for Common Things

Reading to the Bump: Tips & Books for Expecting Parents

Expecting a little bundle of joy soon?  Research suggests that babies listen and learn in the womb, and a breakthrough study has found that babies can learn to recognize words in utero. But don’t go running out to purchase headphones and an audio recording of Webster’s Dictionary or Rosetta Stone for your growing belly. Baby can benefit from language learning from simply hearing everyday sounds, including mother’s voice. This research is on-going, so although it is exciting, nothing has been determined conclusively.

That said, there are a few other reasons outside of this exciting research as to why reading aloud to your unborn child is a positive experience for parent and baby:

• Bonding: Whether you already feel a strong emotional attachments to baby or are feeling a bit detached from the entire prenatal experience, reading aloud to your bump is a great opportunity to bond with your child.
• Taking time to relax: Taking 2 or 5 or 10 minutes out of your day to put your feet up and unwind is good for anyone, but it is especially good for pregnant women. Eliminating stress is key in any pregnancy.
• Start the ritual of reading aloud: Even though evidence of in utero learning is on the fence, what we do know is one of the best things you can do for your child once he or she is born is to read to them often. What better time to start than now?

I read aloud to my first daughter before she was born, and currently I read aloud to my baby on the way. With my first pregnancy, despite the physical changes my body was going through, I felt extremely disconnected to the little human growing inside. I was worried I wasn’t equipped with the mom gene, and that I was already failing inmy new role. Reading aloud helped me engage my pregnancy in a way that made me feel less removed. Also, by the time baby is born he/she will be able to recognize their mother’s voice. It is unclear if they can recognize other voices, but  there is evidence that when you read aloud, you’re baby is listening. It was reassuring to know that she could hear me and we could share a story or poem together.

If you’re interested in reading aloud to baby-to-be, or know of someone who is, here are a few tips:

• It doesn’t have to be a huge time commitment. This is suppose to be a relaxing, relationship building activity, so you make the schedule. For example, I would only read about 10 minutes of the same book aloud every other day or so.
• Pick something you want to read. I’ve complied a list of book suggestions based on a few of my favorites, as well as recommendations from other parents and librarians, but you don’t have to pick a book from this list and it doesn’t have to be a kids book. Read what you like! The list is merely a guide if you’re interested in becoming familiar with children’s books.
• If you have other children, ask them to pick out a book you can all sit read together with baby.
• Ask your partner to get involved, and to read aloud to baby. It’s likely that baby won’t hear voices other than mom nearly as well. This part of research is still quite foggy, but it doesn’t hurt. Plus, it can be a bonding experience for everyone.
• Have fun! Don’t worry about feeling awkward or mispronouncing words. Baby isn’t going to judge. This is between the two of you!

Did you receive 3 or 4 copies of The Very Hungry Caterpillar at your baby shower? Looking for some new reading material? As I mentioned earlier, with the help of a few wonderful parents and librarian friends, I’ve created a book list  for expecting parents looking to read to their baby in utero. Think of it as a starter list for those interested in diving into the vast and wonderful world of children’s literature. There are many different types of books from picture to poetry to chapter books, a sampling of books with rhyme and rhythm, excellent early literacy devices, and also a sampling of favorite timeless stories. Enjoy!

Books List for Reading to Baby In Utero

Picture Books & Early Readers

The House in the Night by Susan Marie Swanson, illustrated by Beth Krommes

Beautiful illustrations with beautiful verse. This Caldecott winning picture book is a wonderful, short read-aloud.

(recommended by @storytiming)

The Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear, illustrated by Jan Brett

The classic nursery rhyme illustrated by one of the most celebrated children’s book illustrators.

(recommended by @MelissaZD)

All the World by Elizabeth Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Marla Frazee

Lovely rhyming verse about  one family’s day together.

(recommended by @PoesyGalore @MelissaZD)

Stars by Mary Lyn Ray, illustrated by Marla Frazee

Another picture book illustrated by the talented Marla Frazee.

Jamberry by Bruce Degen

A colorful, sing song story about a bear, a boy, and berries.

(recommended by @iamemmamusic)

A Good Day by Kevin Henkes

A book that teaches it’s reader all about perspective.

Ten Little Fingers, Ten Little Toes By Mem Fox, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

(recommended by @iamemmamusic)

The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf, illustrated by Robert Lawson

This classic is a favorite storytime book for a couple of the librarians I work with. We adore Ferdinand’s gentle heart.

The Hello, Goodbye Window by Norton Juster, illustrated b Chris Raschka

Two kid lit greats – Norton Juster and Chris Rashka – produced a gorgous and playful book about a little girl and her grandparents.

(recommended by @MelissaZD)

Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik, illustrated by Maurice Sendak

Adorable early reader book about a curious little bear, his parents, his friends, and their adventures. Also recommend A Kiss for Little Bear, Father Bear Comes Home, Little Bear’s Visit, and Little Bear’s Friend.

There Is a Bird on Your Head! by Mo Willems

Pee-your-pants-hilarious duo, Elephant & Piggie books are as loved by  adults as they are children. Also try, Should I Share My Ice Cream?, I Am Invited to a Party!, I Broke My Trunk!, Let’s Go for a Drive!, and more!… all Elephant & Piggie books!

(recommended by @MelissaZD)

A silly tale about a silly little monkey that both you and your future monkey will enjoy.

(recommended by @cbsundance)

 

Poetry

When We Were Very Young and Now We Are Six by A.A. Milne

A collection of darling poetry by the author of the Winnie the Pooh books.

Here’s a Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry collected by Jane Yolen and Andrew Fussek Peters, illustrated by Polly Dunbar

A collection of short poetry from various children’s book authors and poets or both. This is a great book to use once baby is born too.

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstien

Humorous rhymes by one of the most celebrated children’s poets of all time. Also be sure to check out A Light in the Attic and Falling Up.

(recommended by @gcaserotti)

 

Chapter Books

My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannet, illustrated by Ruth Chrisman Gannett

This book is very short, yet very charming; a read about a young boy that runs away from home to rescue a dragon, and finds himself  on Wild Island, inhabited by many animals. This one quickly captures the imagination.

(recommended by @MelissaZD)

The Animal Family by Randall Jarrell, illustrated by Maurice Sendak

My husband and I read this book to my soon to be due any day now. It’s a wonderful story about a family of misfits that you fall for within moments of reading.

(recommended by @MelissaZD)

The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery

A fantastical tale of an aviator who meets a little prince and their adventures trying to seek out the secret of what is important in life.

(recommended by @gcaserotti)

Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne, illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard

Everyone’s favorite bear. If you’ve never taken time to read the actual book, you are surely in for a treat. Rich and full of depth, you’d never know a silly ol’ bear was so full of wisdom.

(recommended by  @gcaserotti)

Clementine by Sara Pennypacker, illustrated by Marla Frazee

This read is as sweet as can be. A unique, 8-year-old girl who seems to get herself in a whole lot of trouble.

(recommended by @MelissaZD @gcaserotti)

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake

You can’t go wrong with a book by Roald Dahl (Matilda, Fantastic Mr. Fox). This is one of his shorter chapter books, yet possesses all the magic and whims you find within the pages of all his books.

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams

A heart-warming story that about the friendship between a pig and a spider, and how they attempt to change fate.

Ginger Pye by Elanor Estes

A pup named Ginger goes missing, and a mysterious man appears in the lives of the Pye family.

(recommended by @iamemmamusic)

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

The story of one china doll rabbit and the power of love. “Someone will come for you, but first you must open your heart…” I planned to read this book to the bump in the short time I have left before she is born.

 

 

Looking for more books to add to your repertoire? Check out Anita Silvey’s Children’s Book-A-Day Almanac and Nancy Pearl’s Book Crush for even more children’s book suggestions.

Have any books that you’d like to add to the list or experiences of your own?  Please share in the comments below!

Happy Halloween

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Halloween is a big deal in our house. Witches, pumpkins, ghosts, black cats, CANDY… the whole lot!  Little L was Little Bear for her Halloween party at school yesterday. It was the 1st of 3 costumes making the rounds. Today she’ll be “leaves changing colors on the tree” and and then a mermaid. She’s had it all planned out since early September.

And yes, I’m still around. No signs of baby just yet. Any day now!

Anyway, just checking in to wish you a safe and sugar-filled day! Here are a few fun Halloween link treats to celebrate:

Can you identify which candy bar is which just from looking at the inside?

Read kid lit author Jonathan Stroud’s scary interactive Halloween story, Lockwood & Co. via The Guardian.

Check out these 7 Apps for a Fun and Safe Halloween via Time.

Here’s another one for the kids… Test your Halloween knowledge with National Geographic Kids’ Halloween Quiz.

Are you a Winnie or a Sarah? Determine which Hocus Pocus Sanderson sister you are by taking this personality quiz via Buzzfeed.

Give someone the gift of a scary story today for All Hallow’s Reads.

Listen to “Thriller” at least once today. Dancing is not optional.

 

 

Review: The Water Castle

The Water Castle

by Megan Frazer Blakemore

Find it at: Your Library | Your Local Bookstore

Published: Walker Childrens, imprint of Bloomsbury Kids (January 8, 2013)

Recommended reading age: 10 & up

In a nutshell: “Believe in the unbelievable…” When I came across this book at ALA Midwinter in January, I was immediately drawn to the cover and the tagline. Even though I was intrigued at the time, and even though there was quite a bit of buzz circulating about this title, because I tend to be a bit of a spaz with my reading habits and I caught the baby bug following that trip, I didn’t get around to reading it until a few weeks ago. Better late than never, and boy would I have been sad if I had skipped out on reading one of the most complex and gripping children’s books of the year!

Ephraim Appledore-Smith and his family have just picked up and moved to a small town in Maine to a house he has never been to, and which was left to the Appledore family some years ago; a house called the Water Castle. After his father’s stroke, which left him unresponsive and entirely dependent on others, Ephraim’s mother thought it would be best for his recovery to leave Boston and move to the small town of Crystal Springs. What seems like an ordinary small town at first turns out to be anything but. All the children in the town are extremely smart. In fact, they excel at almost everything they do. Shortly after moving, Ephraim meets Mallory Green, who’s family has looked after the Appledore estate dating back to the time it was built. Mallory loved hearing the stories about the Water Castle, it’s history, mysteries, and myths of a secret Fountain of Youth. But as she grew older, she stops believing in those fantasy stories, specifically around the time of her parents’ separation. Trying to be helpful to the new family, Mallory’s father offers to  give Ephraim and his sister rides to school. Mallory’s adamant refusal to have anything to do with the Water Castle and the Appledore family, leaves her with an attitude anything but welcoming to Ephraim. Ephraim learns quickly like the Crystal Springs school is far more advanced than his former school where he was an honors student. Everyone seems to always be one step ahead, especially Will Wylie who seems to have a chip on his shoulder towards Ephraim.  After learning the backstory behind Mallory’s, Will’s, and his own family history,  a common interest in the town’s famous Fountain of Youth myth brings these three characters together despite a rift that has separated their families for centuries.

The story goes back and forth between past and present; between the journal entries of Nora Darling (Dr. Orlando Appledore’s assistant), and the trio of Ephraim, Mallory, and Will and their investigation of the mysterious claims behind the Fountain of Youth. The Water Castle was published at the perfect time, with the implementation of Common Core standards and the STEAM literacy focus in education, teachers are looking for ways in which to incorporate factual texts into their language arts curriculum. In fact, author Megan Frazer Blakemore, who is also a school librarian, created an educator’s guide that is built around these standards. So smart. While reading this book, I regularly  paused and thought, “Man, this book would be incredible for a library program or a series of library programs”. The science, the history, the exploration, and the enchantment would be tempting to any educator of young minds. The Water Castle temps it’s reader to delve into the unbelievable.

What I liked the most about this book was that it dabbles in the unknown; that sometimes even science can’t explain everything. Or can it?  That sometimes believing in something hard enough doesn’t make it real, and that even the biggest critic can find wonder in the unthinkable. Is this book realistic fiction, science fiction, or fantasy? Well… I’ll leave that for you to decide.

Don’t take my word for it: “Author Megan Frazer Blakemore doesn’t write down to her audience, instead she writes up to it. Because of that, there’s a sophisticated elegance that runs throughout the book. “Water Castle” isn’t a fast read, but it’s an engrossing one. You become invested in the characters and you want to know the outcome. It would be interesting to see how a classroom of children would react to this book read aloud.” – review from Cracking the Cover

Trailer:

Extras: Visit author Megan Frazer Blakemore on her website.

Curious City DPW has an entire programming kit for The Water Castle created to inspire public libraries as well as elementary and middle school libraries. You can view those ideas here.

Download The Water Castle educator’s guide here.

Read Megan Frazer Blakemore’s Nerdy Book Club post “Books Become Your Home”.

Source of book reviewed: Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by the publisher.

In the Field

Hop on over to the University of Washington iYouth Blog today for an interview with amazing teen librarian Justin Hoenke from the Chattanooga Public Library! It’s all a part of a new monthly series I will be contributing to titled “In the Field”, where I interview innovative youth services librarians across the country. A big THANK YOU to Justin for kicking it off!

In the Field: Meet Justin Hoenke

For more amazing people doing amazing things in the library world, check back around this time next month!

Also, if you’re a youth librarian that would be willing to rock the “In the Field” interview, shoot me an email at sturdyforcommonthings (dot) gmail (dot) com.

Seeing Things

In Kansas, the flowers are as tall as houses.

Tiny treasures.

Tiny feet.

 

 Commemorate Lawrence #QR1863.

One month, one book.

Sunfower state of mind

as far as the eye can see

August breeze.

 Future reader.

Her nature collection.

 Art walk.

King of the shelf.

Improptu storytime. Like mother, like daughter.

Leaf printing.

Sunrise over 9th.

End of the rainbow

Hi, I’m Rebecca and I’m in library school!

Evening puddle walks.

 Just right for the picking.

Fruits of October.

The last Seeing Things post was back in July, so I have quite a bit of happenings to report over the past three months.

We moved.

Moving is always draining, but this move was especially so. The house we moved into was a wreck. Exhibit A: We found a snake skin in L’s closet. The house was dirty and needed quite a few repairs – It was not an ideal situation to say the least. We were exhausted, emotionally drained, and not to mention I was seven months pregnant, but we got through it and lived to tell the tale!

Summer Reading came and went, as did Read Across Lawrence for Kids.

At the library, I finished up my weekly summer reading club for 5-6-year-olds which was entirely rooted in STEM literacy. I hosted a few virtual author talks for middle grade readers during those summer month. And once it was all said and done, I switched gears right into Read Across Lawrence for Kids which turned out to be AWESOME.

I started library school.

In the middle of September, aka the middle of Read Across Lawrence for Kids (!!), I flew out to Seattle for orientation at the University of Washington. It was good to meet my cohort, and frightening to come back to my island in Kansas. I’m currently in the middle of my first quarter, which has been a bit hectic as I slowly figure out how this whole being a student thing works. It’s been awhile!

I went on maternity leave.

A week after Read Across Lawrence for Kids wrapped up, I started my maternity leave from the library. I decided that it was best that I give my full attention to my school work in the weeks ahead. That and get ready for the little one to make her debut. But leaving work was harder than I thought it would be. During the last week, I felt anxious that I had no programs in the queue, and after I left I felt empty. It’s hard to push the pause button on a part of your life that you donate a hefty chunk of your energy and heart to. I’m doing better now, but I do find myself scribbling ideas down in the little book that sits by my nightstand for the day when I return.

I’m full term.

This week marks 37 weeks of my pregnancy – Full term! If baby was born today she would be ready to go. Doc says anytime between now and the second week of November is fair game. I packed my bag for the hospital yesterday. Now, it’s a wait and see game. Little L is getting excited about meeting her new baby sister and Will, and I have been trying to sneak in time between class and homework to prepare for her arrival. She will be here before we know it.

Sunflowers bloomed and then wilted and now pumpkins are plump to be plucked off the vine.

This time of the year looks good on Lawrence, Kansas. The sky is a crisp blue and the leaves are just starting to turn. You can still get away with not wearing a heavy jacket (which is good for me because none of mine fit at the moment). We took L to the pumpkin patch and she visited one for preschool. So, we have a running total of something like twelve pumpkins plopped around our house. My absolute favorite holiday, Halloween, is almost here but I haven’t gotten the chance to pull the decorations out, so at least we have our pumpkins to bring us a little Hallow Eve’s cheer. L is planning on being a mermaid, Little Bear, and “leaves changing colors on the tree”. But not necessarily in that order.

Life is busy.

Life is good.

Happy Fall!