Book of the Week.... The Gobble Gobble Moooooo Tractor Book

The Gobble Gobble Moooooo Tractor Book
by Jez Alborough
Kane Miller Publishing
$15.99 (order hardback)
Age 2+, #279662


While Farmer Dougal sleeps, Sheep and his friends board the tractor and take turns making engine sounds. But what if their loud honks, moos and squeaks wake the farmer? Children will love copying noises in this joyful story from the internationally renowned author, Jez Alborough.


Check out a new video of author Jez Alborough reading ‘The Gobble Gobble Moooooo Tractor Book’ now available on his website. Do you remember when Jez Alborough read "The Tractor Book" at the 2011 Convention? Now you can experience it all again! The GOBBLE GOBBLE MOOOOOO and more!

"Children need a flood of information, a banquet, a feast."

- Martha Pierson, Baylor College of Medicine 

Get Caught Reading Photo Contest - Join now!

The June Newsletter is ready! Be sure to download 2 FREE Math Puzzles Cards for your little mathmatician and join the "Get Caught Reading" Photo Contest! Let me know you entered the contest and I'll vote for your little reader! =D Also, let me know if you need any books for summer or are ready to book a homeshow or bookfair for your school/business too! 





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Trisha asks....

Trisha asks:  "Would love to get my grandson to read more. I read to him all the time as he was growing up and then at around 7 he didn't want me to read to him anymore. He is 10 now and a great reader but doesn't like to sit and read and just chill out. He loves to visit the library and look at books but if we bring any home he won't read them. I was wondering if you had any suggestions as to how I can get him really interested in a good book and actually take the time to read just a chapter or two a night or suggestions on a good book that after reading the first chapter he is hooked and can't put the book down? Thank You!"

A few thoughts.... 

Hi Trisha - Does he have any favorite subjects? One thing to remember about boys is that they LOVE Non-Fiction. Fiction? Not so much. It's that analytical/practical brain that God gave them. =D 

1) It sounds like you have already tried having him pick out a book or two at the bookstore. And that hasn't worked so well. So, I have a few thoughts for you to try this summer:

a) Make it a "date" each week to take a trip to the library or your local book store. Bring one of his friends with you and have them pick out a book that they would like to read and then discuss with you the next week during your "date". Have hot chocolate (yes, I know it's summer), ice tea, a smoothie - what ever and then talk about what they think is happening on the cover of the book and what do they think is going to happen in the book? If you have time have the boys take turns reading the first chapter - maybe they can alternate with the paragraphs (you read too). Then plan on getting together the next week to discuss the book - or if they haven't finished it read another chapter together and so on. (Between Two Ends would be a great book to read this summer - it's a cross of The Arabian Nights and a great Action story - read my review here)

2) Is he into True Stories about Heroes, Firefighters, War Heroes? Or maybe really into science, astronomy/outer space? How about Extreme Sports - the Olympics are coming up too.You might check into books like:

Discovery Adventure Books: Age 8+, ap 80 pages each. This series is visually exciting, highly informative and complete with photographs, illustrated diagrams & comic strips. FULL of information such as: a fascinating selection of recommended websites with stats and details for kids who are fanatics about fighter planes, motorcycles, helicopters, race cars, submarines, warships and tanks. $8.99 each/avail as a series too (click here)

War Stories: 12+, 432 pages. This great book contains stories based on actual life events. Many of the stories are about people who had to make tough decisions based on what they knew to be the right thing to do. Thrilling adventures that will make you feel as if you were actually there. Ideal for reluctant readers & adults. Note: This one is a BIG book but can be read as a chapter a night - ideal for a Grandpa/Grandson read along. It would give them something to talk about and lots of stories to share - and is a great way to encourage kids to make the right choice even tho the consequences to themselves might not be ideal.

Is there a male figure in his life that could start reading with him? Guys like to read "facts and figures" and make weird noises - Little Men need to see Big Men reading now & as he becomes a man. It's a good opportunity for him to converse with others and share what he's learning.

Extreme Adventures: Age 8+, 144 pages.  Action has a new hero - Sam Fox! With a talent for attracting danger, Sam Fox is an expert at getting himself into (and out of) the most extreme situations. This series has a strong appeal with a courageous young hero and exotic settings and has non-stop action and short chapters which will engage reluctant readers. 

**My nephew Brett LOVES this series. He started reading them at around age 7 1/2 and we were a little worried they would be too scary but he asked to read book two and then three... we think he LIKED getting scared! Read an excerpt from Bk 1 Crocodile Attack $5.99 each/avail as a series too 

Other books he might be interested in:  I'd like to encourage you to keep illustrated encyclopedia's around your house. These are great - leave them on the coffee table, in the bathroom (captive audience there), by his bed and in the car! 

Usborne Books has great ones with small amounts of information and BIG pictures for kids to study and examine. The illustrated encyclopedia's are great for kids that have a hard time reading big passages of text. They are internet linked and your grandson can use these links to find more information on things he's interested in (whales, machines, outer space, etc), experiments and animated learning tools online.  What is an Internet-Linked book?

You might also consider a few books like these (click the picture):

    

Here is an example of some activities/experiments from the Science Encyclopedia that you can find with the Internet Links:

1. Hot-air balloon experiment to try at home. 
2. Make marbled paper based on the principle that oil and water do not mix. (Click on "Marvelous Marbling".) 

Lastly, I have a few questions since I don't know your Grandson. These are things you might consider as you help him become a life long reader.

a) Is he in between stages of reading? What kind of books is he drawn to? Are they more difficult or more advanced than he needs? Are they to advanced for him emotionally or mentally? 

b) Is your grandson feeling overwhelmed by the size of the books (too many pages/print is small/no pictures) and not sure what he'll like? Is he still wishing to be read to some? (If you catch him pulling the book closer to his face perhaps he is having trouble reading smaller print. You may want to consider getting his eyes checked)

Kids in the middle elementary grades still enjoy pictures. Remember pictures are used by kids to help them "read" the book, guess what's happening next and it helps them to "connect" with the story and the people in the book.

c) Is he starting to see and want to participate in activities like sports, camping, etc - are his interests changing? If so consider getting him a sports magazine or another kind of kid's magazine that matches his interest. Two that come to mind are: (click on the picture)

The reason I brought these up is that you will be encouraging him to read about what he is interested in. There are the "small" chunks of information, big action oriented pictures and he can read a couple of pages and share what he has learned. Also if he is a very active child and has a hard time sitting still these are ideal for him. (Comics fit this area also. See my review here). 

I'd like to make one last suggestion - if you end up doing a summer book club or even make it a goal to read together as a family for a 1/2 hour a day - get your child a journal and encourage them to write while you read aloud to them. They can write anything they want - it's private and only for them. Parents use your discretion if you feel you need to take a look at the journal - just remember that this is a place for your middle grade child to spill their guts or be as creative as they want so please don't use it to lecture or "teach" about proper sentence structure. =D Girl Journal Boy Journal

This is getting so long I'm going to stop here. I hope this gave you some good ideas. Please keep asking questions! 

Parents & teachers - do you have any great ideas on how to get kids to read in the summer? Please share your comment below:

                                                                              

Share the gift of reading...

Just want to share....
There is no better time than the present to start sharing the gift of reading! They're are Bookfairs, FREE books for Parents & Teachers, Matching Grants!!! ALL of my March hosts will receive an entry into the contest w/ qualifying sales (Homeshows & Catalog Shows are WELCOME)

http://MyUsborneBooks.com/

AND you can EARN a FREE iPad2 starting this month (ask me how!)

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Did you see?

Did you see the alignment of the Moon, Jupiter and Venus this weekend? No? Well, here you go:

from: nasa.science.gov website

Now, we (read that "I") missed the event on Saturday (25th) and Sunday (26th) but the show continues in March (minus the moon)!

Per the science.nasa.gov website:

In March, Venus and Jupiter continue their relentless convergence until, on March 12^th and 13th, the duo lie only three degrees apart—a spectacular double beacon in the sunset sky (sky map).  Now you’ll be able to hide them together behind a pair of outstretched fingertips.  (click here for article)

This is the Prime Time for you as parents (or an ideal Father/Child activity) to learn WITH your child about the night sky! Usborne Books can help you with high quality tools that are reasonably priced and your child will pull them out over and over again as they grow up.

Space Explorer Camps promote critical thinking through active reading, effective writing and inquiry learning. It's all the FUN of Camp at Your House! These kits are ideal for families, homeschooling groups, teachers, after school programs and badge type programs (read that as Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, etc) - And how about during the summer? YOU can set up a whole block of activities for the families that live on YOUR block! There are many neighborhoods that use Usborne's Kits to not only keep their kids busy learning during the summer (

Did you know? Students can lose UP TO 30% of their skills and knowledge during the summer! Smarty Pants Camps will help keep children reading, writing & problem solving during the summer to help prevent this Summer Brain Drain!

Discovery Astronaut Camp Kit
Age 8-9 yrs $80 #781280
Read an excerpt: http://tiny.cc/yofzk

Order Here

This camp kit includes: How High is the Sky?, Pelly & Mr Harrison Visit the Moon, Space, Living in Space, 100 Things to Spot in the Night Sky, What's Physics All About? 100 Science Experiments, Discovery Astronaut Official Camp Notebook.

Apollo Astronaut Camp Kit
Age 10-12 yrs $80 #781281
Read an excerpt: http://tiny.cc/5w5i7

Order Here

This camp kit includes: Science Encyclopedia, Story of Astronomy and Space, 100 Things to Spot in the Night Sky, What's Physics All About? 100 Science Experiments, Apollo Astronaut Official Camp Notebook.

Families can purchase both SETS of Kits! This is great if you have kids in 2 different age groups. The Discovery Astronaut Camp Kit can be used for younger kits - you will just have to "tweak" it to work for younger children who may not be able to do the reading & writing on their own. 

The Discover Astronaut & Apollo Astronaut Camp Kits

Age 8-12 yrs $135 #781284

Order Here

Neighborhood Camp Fun: Wondering how to do something like this in YOUR neighborhood? Watch for details....

WIN Books for your kids' Easter Basket!

You're Invited!

Fill those Birthday Parties and Easter Baskets with Sugar Free Treats! Usborne Books are the Books Kid's LOVE to Read! 

I am hosting a Mystery Hostess Party @ http://tiny.cc/fq8r5. The show closes February 27th @ Midnight! Order online and everyone who orders a minimum $10 in books will be entered to WIN the Hostess Benefits! 

Find 10 people to ORDER $10 by February 27th and you'll get 10 EXTRA entries into the drawing in addition to your entry for ordering!

Easy HUH?

Leave a comment under the post w/ your name & email address

So I know what to look for. If you had 10 friends order leave a comment below the post that you sent me the list of who ordered.

Details:

Due to the amount that you could WIN I am requiring all mandatory entries to find 10 friends to order a minimum $10 in orders. You can order $100, 5 friends can order $20 each or you can do $10 friends for $10 each. (Ex: minimum winnings w/ a $400 Event would be $170 in FREE Books ~ not counting discounted items!): 

When you have your 10 friends ~ email me their names 

@ familyliteracy2 (at) gmail.com

February ~ it's too good to pass up!

Give yourself a lotta LOVE when you start your own business with Usborne Books!

♥ build confidence in yourself,

♥ extra money for things your family needs

♥ make friends and

♥ make a difference in YOUR community!

Start your own business for $29 & the opportunity to Earn an iPad2! For $29 you receive all the supplies you need for your first 6 shows and for $27 you can also work with libraries & K-12 schools. Sign Up Here: http://tiny.cc/lgp1i

Have questions? 

Contact Tina @ familyliteracy2 (at) gmail  or go to: http://tiny.cc/c8oce

New Titles are coming January 1!

If you had $50 in FREE Books - which would YOU pick out?

January 1 Usborne Books is releasing the following books. I can't wait to see these! Want more information? Click the book for a description!

Baby - Age 3

    

 

Age 3 - 6

     

     

   

Age 6+

    

      

- Beginning Readers -

    

- Middle Grade -

    

Thanks for ALL the comments - you've been helping me put together my bookfair kit 

for this Spring I can't tell you HOW helpful this has been for me!

So, if you could WIN $50 in FREE Books - what would YOU pick out?

Be sure to enter to WIN today!

Enter Here