Back to Basics Literacy
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Back to Basics
    • Contact Us
  • Reading Aloud
    • Research
    • Book Lists >
      • Ballet Books
      • Board Books
      • Alphabet Books
      • Number Books
      • Interactive & Sensory Books
      • Manners & Etiquette Books
      • Stories about Books, Reading & Libraries
      • Fables, Folktales & Fairy Tales
      • Nursery Rhymes & Poetry
      • Holiday Books
      • Graduation Books
      • Baking & Cooking Books
      • Gardening & Farm Books
      • Nature Books
      • Thankfulness & Gratitude Books
      • Pirate Books
      • Books Discussed in Our Handbook
    • Workshops
    • Literacy Events & Attractions
  • Bookworm Bakers
  • Blog
  • Shop
    • Toy Recommendations

 Back to Basics

Reading and cooking with kids

October, The Color and Flavor of Fall

9/26/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
*Note: this post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Any purchases made via the links provided go to support our literacy efforts.
     Fall continues in October with National Apple, Caramel, Chili, Cookie, Dessert, Pasta, Pizza, Popcorn Poppin‘, Pork, Pumpkin, Seafood and Tomato month. We in Michigan think of it as the time to head to the farmer‘s market, cider mill and apple orchards as well as the pumpkin patch. Share a non-fiction book about apples, such as Apples for Everyone by Jill Esbaum or Apples by Gail Gibbons, and then consider going apple picking. Search cookbooks for tasty recipes in which to use your apples. Think about making your own applesauce, which you can then use instead of oil in your baked goods. When picking out your pumpkin for Halloween, grab some pie pumpkins as well for baking and share Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin, Pie by Jill Esbaum. Now is a great time to also include a book about fall while partaking of one of those delectable desserts that you and your child(ren) have baked or pop some corn out around a bonfire and tell your favorite story.
     This is also a great time to use fall and all its natural splendor to enhance home learning through cooking and baking and identification, using the leaves, apples and pumpkins of fall. Cooking and baking utilizes math and reading skills, and you can use the different varieties of apples and leaves for identification. For younger children, count the apples you pick, count the seeds from the pumpkin, measure the circumference of the pumpkin and collect leaves and discuss the different colors and shapes. Search online for craft ideas using leaves, apples, pumpkin seeds etc. Read a fall storybook and then extend the learning with a craft.  
Refer back to our previous blogs to find fall book recommendations:
Fall Into Books!
Autumn is almost here!
Good-bye Summer, Hello Fall!

-  -  -
October
National Apple, Caramel, Chili, Cookbook, Cookie, Dessert, Pasta, Pizza, Popcorn Poppin‘, Pork, Pumpkin, Seafood & Tomato Month
National Apple Month
Picture
Hello, World! How Do Apples Grow? by Jill McDonald
Picture
Applesauce Day by Lisa J. Amstutz
Picture
Apples A to Z by Margaret McNamara
Picture
From Apple Trees To Cider, Please! by Felicia Sanzari Chernesky
Picture
Secrets of the Apple Tree: A Shine-A-Light Book by Carron Brown
Picture
Ten Apples Up On Top! by Theo. LeSieg (Dr. Seuss)
     Use this book as part of a math lesson:
           -Count from 1 - 10 by ones
           -Count by tens
           -Practice Addition
     You can also draw, color or cut out apples from red paper and stack them just as the animals do (dot markers would also fun to use). Expand this into a science lesson by attempting to stack real apples, whether on a table top or your head!

For even more books about apples, take a look at our blog:
Back to Basics at the Orchard
National Chili Month
Picture
Armadilly Chili by Heather Ketteman
National Cookbook Month
Picture
Grandpa's Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Cookbook by Judi Barrett
Picture
The Great Fairy Baking Competition by Thomas Nelson
Picture
The Tasha Tudor Family Cookbook
Picture
Start to Cook by Abigail Wheatley
Picture
The Bake-A-Cake Book by Marie Meijer
     "Come bake a cake with the cake-bakers!"
     We found this title at a used book sale some time ago and it has been a favorite ever since. Truthfully, we have not actually made the cake that the two bakers in the book make, but we have used this book countless times during imaginative play in my daughter's little kitchen. She gathers all of the utensils, tools and ingredients together and then carefully follows each step as the little bakers create a most scrumptious looking cake. It is a wonderful learning through play experience!

For even more cookbook recommendations, take a look at our list:
Baking, Cooking, Gardening and Food Related Books
National Cookie Month
Picture
Who Put the Cookies in the Cookie Jar? by George Shannon
Picture
The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson
Picture
The Cookie Fiasco (Elephant & Piggie Like Reading!) by Dan Santat
Picture
The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? by Mo Willems
Picture
Who Took the Cookies from the Cookie Jar? by Bonnie Lass & Philomen Sturgess
Picture
Cookies!: An Interactive Recipe Book (Cook in a Book) by Lotta Nieminen
Picture
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
National Pizza Month
Picture
Pete the Cat and the Perfect Pizza Party by Kimberly & James Dean
Picture
Pizza!: An Interactive Recipe Book (Cook in a Book) by Lotta Nieminen
Find even more pizza books, as well as related activity ideas in our previous blog:
Pizza, Pizza!
National Popcorn Poppin' Month
Picture
Tomie dePaola's The Popcorn Book
Picture
Popcorn! by Elaine Landau
Picture
Popcorn Country: The Story of America's Favorite Snack by Cris Peterson
Picture
Popcorn by Alex Moran
Picture
The Popcorn Shop by Alice Low
National Pumpkin Month
Picture
The Very Best Pumpkin by Mark Kimball Moulton
Picture
From Seed to Pumpkin by Wendy Pfeffer
Picture
How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin? by Margaret McNamara
Picture
Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White
Picture
How Big Could Your Pumpkin Grow? by Wendell Minor
National Tomato Month
Picture
I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato by Lauren Child
Picture
Fruit Bowl by Mark Hoffmann
Picture
Too Many Tomatoes by Eric Ode
Picture
Alien Tomato by Kristen Schroeder
1st: National Homemade Cookie Day
     Refer to 'National Cookie Month' above.
4th: National Taco Day
Picture
Tacos!: An Interactive Recipe Book (Cook in a Book) by Lotta Nieminen
Picture
Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin
Picture
Dragons Love Tacos 2: The Sequel by Adam Rubin
Picture
Little Taco Truck by Tanya Valentine
Picture
This is a Taco by Andrew Cangelose
4th: National Pumpkin Seed Day
     Refer to 'National Pumpkin Month' above.
6th: National Noodle Day
Picture
Everybody Brings Noodles by Norah Dooley
Picture
Tony Baroni Loves Macaroni by Marilyn Sadler
8th: National Pierogi Day
Picture
Every Culture Has a Pierogi by Lorraine Krusinski
9th: World Egg Day
Picture
An Egg is Quiet by Dianna Hutts Aston
Picture
Chickens Aren't the Only Ones by Ruth Heller
Picture
Egg: Nature's Perfect Package by Robin Page & Steve Jenkins
Picture
Egg by Kevin Henkes
Picture
The Good Egg by Jory John
Picture
Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss
Picture
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
Picture
Scrambled Eggs Super! by Dr. Seuss
10th: National Cake Decorating Day
Picture
Decorate Cakes, Cupcakes and Cookies with Kids by Autumn Carpenter
12th: National Farmer's Day
Picture
Before We Eat: From Farm to Table by Pat Brisson
Picture
On the Farm, At the Market by G. Brian Karas
Picture
A Farmer's Life for Me by Jan Dobbins
Picture
On the Farm by David Elliott
Picture
The Farm that Feeds Us by Nancy Castaldo
For more information on farmers and farming, refer back to our previous blogs:
Celebrate National Farmers Market Week!
How Does Your Garden Grow?

17th: National Pasta Day
Picture
The Pasta Family (Goes to Marinara Beach) by Cory & Laureen Tilson
Picture
The Great Pasta Escape by Miranda Paul
18th: National Chocolate Cupcake Day
Picture
Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes by Kimberly & James Dean
Picture
If You Give a Cat a Cupcake by Laura Numeroff
Picture
Cupcake by Charise Mericle Harper
22nd: National Nut Day
Picture
Let‘s Go Nuts!: Seeds We Eat by April Pulley Sayre
Picture
Who Stole the Hazelnuts? by Marcus Pfister
24th: National Food Day
Picture
How Did That Get In My Lunchbox?: The Story of Food by Chris Butterworth
Picture
Peanut Butter, Apple Butter, Cinnamon Toast: Food Riddles for You to Guess by Argentina Palacios

For more recommendations, browse through our past blogs about food by looking under the 'Bookworm Bakers' tag. Also, look at our book list: Baking, Cooking, Gardening & Food Related Books.
26th: National Pumpkin Day
     Refer to 'National Pumpkin Month' above.
27th: National Breadstick Day
28th: National Chocolate Day
Picture
No Monkeys, No Chocolate by Melissa Stewart and Allen Young
Picture
Margret & H. A. Rey's Curious George Goes to a Chocolate Factory
Picture
All About Chocolate by Madison Spielman
Picture
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
29th: National Oatmeal Day
30th: National Candy Corn Day
Picture
Julius's Candy Corn by Kevin Henkes
- - -
“The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.”
A quote from Marcus Aurelius, a Roman Emperor and philosopher who lived from 121 AD to 180 AD yet the sentiment still applies today. Let’s do our best to keep our thoughts positive as we go through these challenging times and teach our children to favor others with kindness and respect as we are surrounded by the beautiful colors of fall.
Happy fall!

-Kate @ BTBL

Author

We are three generations that seek a way to get back to basics. It’s not that we eschew technology, but sometimes simpler is better, especially in raising our children. Mom was a reading teacher, Amanda is an early childhood educator and Kate a children’s literature specialist and former school librarian along with the latest additions, a daughter (now 5) for Kate, and two sons (now 2 and 10 months) for Amanda. We advocate reading aloud, the simple toys that use imagination and encourage creativity and learning in the kitchen, which can be a fun mess but also teaches life skills. Join us in raising healthy, happy, inquisitive and intelligent children.

0 Comments

September: The Beauty of Change is Upon Us

8/27/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
*Note: this post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Any purchases made via the links provided go to support our literacy efforts.
     Fall, with its beautiful colors and crisp apples is also known as the time for back to school and packed lunches. This year the back to school season may be looking a little different than we are all used to. Whether attending in-person, virtually or embarking on a homeschool journey, books can help make the experience one to remember and to learn and grow from!
     Now, this time of year is also of great significance to the farmers as it signals the beginning of harvest season. National Farm Safety & Health Week this month celebrates the contributions of farmers, ranchers and agricultural workers who work tirelessly to feed our nation. Frequent your local farmers market to include fresh produce in your child‘s lunch, as well as for snacks and meals at home. Celebrate National Johnny Appleseed Day with a visit to an apple orchard. Pick an apple and enjoy it under the tree and read Johnny Appleseed by Jane Yolen, Johnny Appleseed by Reeve Lindbergh or another title about American John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed. Make some applesauce with your child(ren) or an apple pie and pair the kitchen adventure with How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman or The Apple Pie that Papa Baked by Lauren Thompson. You might also consider making some blackberry jam in honor of National Blackberry Day.
     The uncertainty that plagued us earlier this year still remains strong in our thoughts and these uncertain times often come with unpredictable changes and children are most affected by these changes, especially to the school year. Don’t forget to reassure them and keep things as normal as possible. Keep routines or start new ones such as reading to them each night before bed and spend family time together with game nights, nature walks and time spent in the kitchen using fresh farm fruit and veggies.
Picture
September
National Biscuit, Chicken, Food Safety, Hazelnut, Honey, Mushroom, Potato & Rice Month
National Chicken Month
Picture
Chicks & Chickens by Gail Gibbons
Picture
Big Chickens by Leslie Helakoski
Picture
My Life as a Chicken by Ellen A. Kelley
Picture
Sonya's Chickens by Phoebe Wahl
Picture
Tillie Lay An Egg by Terry Golson
National Hazelnut Month
Picture
Who Stole the Hazelnuts? by Marcus Pfister
National Honey Month
Picture
Hands Off My Honey! by Jane Chapman
Picture
If You Love Honey by Martha Sullivan
Picture
Please Please the Bees by Gerald Kelley
National Rice Month
Picture
Everybody Cooks Rice by Norah Dooley
Picture
One Grain of Rice: A Mathematical Folktale by Demi
1st Full Week: National Waffle Week
Picture
Woodpecker Wants a Waffle by Steve Breen
3rd Week: National Farm Safety & Health Week
Picture
On the Farm, At the Market by G. Brian Karas
Picture
Right This Very Minute: A table-to-farm book about food and farming by Lisl H. Detlefsen
Picture
Before We Eat: From Farm to Table by Pat Brisson
Picture
The Farm That Feeds Us: A year in the life of an organic farm by Nancy Castaldo
Picture
Farmers Market Create-And-Play Activity Book by Deanna F. Cook
Picture
Dinosaur Farm by Frann Preston-Gannon
     This story follows a farmer as he goes about his daily routine of caring for the animals and plants in his charge, but there is something a little bit different about this particular farm. Instead of the typical barnyard livestock of cows, pigs and chickens, readers will find the illustrations brimming with prehistoric creatures! You won't want to miss any of the laugh-out-loud fun as you read this one, so be sure to take your time looking over the illustrations.

2nd: International Bacon Day
Picture
Everyone Loves Bacon by Kelly DiPucchio
7th: National Acorn Squash Day
Picture
Sophie's Squash by Pat Zietlow Miller
Picture
Sophie's Squash Go to School by Pat Zietlow Miller
11th: National Hot Cross Buns Day
Picture
Hot Cross Buns and Other Old Street Cries by John Langstaff
12th: National Blackberry Day
Picture
The Blackberry Mouse by Matthew Grimsdale
Picture
The Very Berry Counting Book by Jerry Pallotta
Picture
Mr. McGee and the Blackberry Jam by Pamela Allen
13th: National Chocolate Day
Picture
No Monkeys, No Chocolate by Melissa Stewart and Allen Young
Picture
Margret & H. A. Rey's Curious George Goes to a Chocolate Factory
Picture
The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling
Picture
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Picture
This Book Is Not Good For You by Pseudonymous Bosch
Picture

Chocolate: The Consuming Passion by Sandra Boynton
     While this title is actually intended for adults, it is filled with the kind of witty text and comical illustrations expected of the incomparable Sandra Boynton and is sure to
bring delight to chocolate enthusiasts of every age!

13th: National Peanut Day
Picture
The Life and Times of the Peanut by Charles Micucci
Picture
Peanut Butter and Jelly: A Play Rhyme by Nadine Bernard Wescott
Picture
Peanut Butter & Brains: A Zombie Culinary Tale by Joe McGee
18th: National Cheeseburger Day
Picture
Spiders Don't Eat Cheeseburgers by Kat Brancato
22nd: National White Chocolate Day
23rd: National Pot Pie Day
26th: National Johnny Appleseed Day
     *Additional titles referenced toward the beginning of this post.
Picture
Johnny Appleseed: The Story of a Legend by Will Moses
26th: National Dumpling Day
Picture
Dumpling Soup by Jama Kim Rattigan
Picture
The Ugly Dumpling by Stephanie Campisi
26th: National Pancake Day
Picture
If You Give a Pig a Pancake by Laura Numeroff
Picture
Pancakes for Breakfast by Tome dePaola
Picture
Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast by Josh Funk
Picture
Pancakes, Pancakes by Eric Carle
Picture
Pancakes with Grandma by Kathryn Smith
27th: National Chocolate Milk Day
Picture
Chocolate Milk by Alexandra Rizik
Picture
Chocolate Milk, Por Favor by Maria Dismondy
One last thing...September is also Library Card Sign-up Month, so visit your local library (if they are open), get a card and check out some of the titles we have mentioned in this post!

Happy reading!

-Kate @ BTBL

Author

We are three generations that seek a way to get back to basics. It’s not that we eschew technology, but sometimes simpler is better, especially in raising our children. Mom was a reading teacher, Amanda is an early childhood educator and Kate a children’s literature specialist and former school librarian along with the latest additions, a daughter (now 5) for Kate, and two sons (now 2 and 10 months) for Amanda. We advocate reading aloud, the simple toys that use imagination and encourage creativity and learning in the kitchen, which can be a fun mess but also teaches life skills. Join us in raising healthy, happy, inquisitive and intelligent children.

0 Comments

August: The Sunday of Summer

7/30/2020

1 Comment

 
*Note: this post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Any purchases made via the links provided go to support our literacy efforts.
     As summer winds down and another school year looms in sight, we parents wonder if we have done all we could for our children to prepare them for the year ahead, especially in this time of uncertainty with the question of in-person vs. virtual schooling at the forefront of everyone’s mind. Not to worry. Real life, hands-on experiences enrich a child’s life and help to shape their future, as well as aid in building background knowledge. So, don’t stress and simply enjoy this last month of summer; fill it with outdoor activities and favorite summertime foods as you celebrate days such as National Watermelon Day, National Root Beer Float Day, National Lemonade Day, National S‘mores Day and National Toasted Marshmallow Day. National Farmers Market Week is also celebrated in August and is a wonderful time to continue to support your local farmers and to teach your children about where their food comes from. Search for recipes that utilize fresh produce from your local farmers (or your own garden) and perhaps include a reading of My Dinosaur is Scared of Vegetables by Lily Lexington.
“We would load up the yellow Cutlass Supreme station wagon and pick blackberries during blackberry season or spring onions during spring onion season.
For us, food was a part of the fabric of our day.”

Mario Batali

- - -
August
National Peach & Sandwich Month
National Peach Month
Picture
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
Picture
The Last Peach by Gus Gordon
National Sandwich Month
Picture
The Bear Ate Your Sandwich by Julia Sarcone-Roach
Picture
Carla's Sandwich by Debbie Herman
1st Full Week: National Farmers Market Week
Picture
Before We Eat: From Farm to Table by Pat Brisson
Picture
On the Farm, At the Market by G. Brian Karas
Picture
A Farmer's Life for Me by Jan Dobbins
Picture
The Farm that Feeds Us by Nancy Castaldo
1st Saturday: National Mustard Day
Picture
Nobody Loves Mustard by Jeremy Ross
2nd: National Ice Cream Sandwich Day
Picture
Ice Cream: The Full Scoop by Gail Gibbons
Picture
Wemberly's Ice-Cream Star by Kevin Henkes
Picture
Curious George and the Ice Cream Surprise by Margret & H. A. Rey
Picture
Curious George Goes to an Ice Cream Shop by Margret & H. A. Rey
Picture
Should I Share My Ice Cream? by Mo Willems
3rd: National Watermelon Day
Picture
The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli
Picture
Watermelon Party by Jasmine Cabanaw
4th: National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day
Picture
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
Picture
The Best Mouse Cookie by Laura Numeroff
Picture
The Cookie Fiasco by Dan Santat
Picture
The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? by Mo Willems
Picture
The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson
6th: National Root Beer Float Day
Picture
How Is Root Beer Made? by Grace Hansen
8th: National Zucchini Day
Picture
Zora's Zucchini by Katherine Pryor
10th: National S'mores Day
Picture
S is for S'mores: A Camping Alphabet by Helen Foster James
Picture
So Much S'more to Do by Becky Rasmussen
Picture
S'mores Indoors by Eric Robertson and Lynda Sing
18th: National Fajitas Day
     While there isn't a book about fajitas specifically (at least that we know of), Jorge Argueta has a delicious series of bilingual books that highlight various Latino foods.
Picture
Salsa
Picture
Guacamole
Picture
Sopa de frijoles/Bean Soup
Picture
Arroz con leche/Rice Pudding
19th: National Honey Bee Day
Picture
Bee: A Peek-Through Picture Book by Britta Teckentrup
Picture
Give Bees a Chance by Bethany Barton
Picture
Bees: A Honeyed History by Piotr Socha
Picture
The Beeman by Laurie Krebs
Picture
UnBEElievables: Honeybee Poems and Paintings by Douglas Florian
Bee Books From Usborne Books & More
Picture
Lift-the-Flap First Questions and Answers: Why Do We Need Bees?
Picture
Peek Inside a Beehive
Picture
That's Not My Bee (Usborne touchy feely books)
Picture
Bee Makes Tea (Usborne Phonics Readers)
20th: National Lemonade Day
Picture
Maisy Makes Lemonade by Lucy Cousins
Picture
Froggy's Lemonade Stand by Jonathan London
Picture

Lemonade in Winter by Emily Jenkins
This title deserves a moment in the spotlight for the way author Emily Jenkins seamlessly weaves a lesson in money values and counting into this story of a brother and sister setting up a lemonade stand in the middle of winter. A fantastic choice for a fun read aloud, as well as a simple math lesson.

24th: National Waffle Day
Picture
Woodpecker Wants a Waffle by Steve Breen
30th: National Toasted Marshmallow Day
Picture
The Marshmallow Incident by Judi Barrett
Picture
Owen's Marshmallow Chick by Kevin Henkes
31st: National Trail Mix Day
- - -
“Summer is leaving silently.
Much like a traveler approaching the end of an
amazing journey.”

Darnell Lamont Walker
Happy reading and cooking!

-Kate @ BTBL

Author

We are three generations that seek a way to get back to basics. It’s not that we eschew technology, but sometimes simpler is better, especially in raising our children. Mom was a reading teacher, Amanda is an early childhood educator and Kate a children’s literature specialist and former school librarian along with the latest additions, a daughter (now 4) for Kate, and two sons (now 2 and 8 months) for Amanda. We advocate reading aloud, the simple toys that use imagination and encourage creativity and learning in the kitchen, which can be a fun mess but also teaches life skills. Join us in raising healthy, happy, inquisitive and intelligent children.

1 Comment

July = Flags, Fireworks & Food!

6/27/2020

0 Comments

 
*Note: this post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Any purchases made via the links provided go to support our literacy efforts.

"Live in the sunshine. Swim in the sea. Drink in the wild air."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

     July, the month we celebrate our Nation’s Independence along with the national celebration month for Blueberries, Grilling, Hot Dogs, Ice Cream, Picnics, Pickles, Watermelon and Culinary Arts. Celebrate Independence Day with good food, family and friends and enjoy the celebrated days of the month with the food of that day and a story book. Consider making your own ice cream with your children in celebration of National Ice Cream Day. Choose a simple ice cream in a bag recipe that your children can help make and then choose a story from our list to read aloud. Visit your local farmer’s market and get some cucumbers to make homemade pickles with your kids to enjoy on burgers cooked on the grill. Culinary Arts Month promotes awareness of professional cooks and chefs, so be sure to offer opportunities to explore in the kitchen for your budding chef.
     Summer is the best time to be outdoors exploring nature, basking in the sun and just playing. Though we are literacy and reading advocates, we encourage both parents and children to spend a portion of each day outdoors, enjoying an unplugged summer. Richard Louv, in his book Last Child in the Woods, coined the term 'Nature Deficit Disorder' in which he believes that many behavioral problems are a result of children spending less time outdoors. Whether you agree with his views or not, research shows that children in the United States spend an average of 44 hours a week with electronic media and obesity continues to be a problem. Allow time for free play outdoors as well as time for unrestricted reading. Read to your child daily, allow them to participate in hands-on learning opportunities and take excursions and outings that will not only build background knowledge, but also encourage creativity and problem solving, skills which will in turn build self-confidence and self-esteem.
     So, this July, spend time outdoors relaxing on a blanket, enjoying picnic fare that you and your child have made together and bring along your favorite story book. Take time to unplug, reconnect and just be.
Picture
July
National Blueberry, Culinary Arts, Grilling, Hot Dog, Ice Cream, Pickle, Picnic & Watermelon Month
National Blueberry Month
Picture
Blueberry Mouse by Alice Low
Picture
Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
Picture
More Blueberries! by Susan Musgrave
Picture
One Little Blueberry by Tammi Salzano
National Culinary Arts Month
Picture
Start to Cook by Abigail Wheatley
Picture
Children's World Cookbook by Fiona Watt
Picture
Stir, Crack, Whisk, Bake by Maddie Frost
Picture
The Complete Baking Book for Young Chefs by America's Test Kitchen Kids
Picture
The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs by America's Test Kitchen Kids
National Hot Dog Month
Picture
The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog! by Mo Willems
Picture
Hello, Hot Dog! by Lily Murray
Picture
Stan the Hot Dog Man by Ethel and Leonard Kessler
National Ice Cream Month
Picture
Ice Cream: The Full Scoop by Gail Gibbons
Picture
Wemberly's Ice-Cream Star by Kevin Henkes
Picture
Curious George and the Ice Cream Surprise by Margret & H. A. Rey
Picture
Curious George Goes to an Ice Cream Shop by Margret & H. A. Rey
Picture
Should I Share My Ice Cream? by Mo Willems
Did you know you can make your very own ice cream at home in a bag?
National Watermelon Month
Picture
The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli
Picture
Mouse's First Summer by Lauren Thompson
Picture
Watermelon Party by Jasmine Cabanaw
Picture
One Watermelon Seed by Celia Lottridge
National Picnic Month
Picture
The Teddy Bears' Picnic by Jimmy Kennedy
Picture
One Hundred Hungry Ants by Elinor J. Pinczes
Picture

     Need help planning a picnic? Take a look at The Picnic: Recipes and Inspiration from Basket to Blanket by Marnie Hanel, Andrea Slonecker, and Jen Stevenson. While intended for adults, this title is beautiful, witty and full of grand ideas for having the most splendid picnic imaginable.

7th: National Chocolate Day
Picture
Lily's Chocolate Heart by Kevin Henkes
Picture
If You Give a Mouse a Brownie by Laura Numeroff
Picture
Curious George Goes to a Chocolate Factory by Margret & H. A. Rey
Picture
No Monkeys, No Chocolate by Melissa Stewart and Allen Young
Picture

Chocolate: The Consuming Passion
by Sandra Boynton
While this title is intended for adults, it is filled with the kind of witty text and comical illustrations expected of the incomparable Sandra Boynton and is sure to bring delight to the chocolate enthusiasts of every age!

9th: National Sugar Cookie Day
Picture
Who Put the Cookies in the Cookie Jar? by George Shannon
Picture
Mo Willems‘ Elephant & Piggie Love Reading!: The Cookie Fiasco by Dan Santat
Picture
The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? by Mo Willems
Picture
The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson
Picture
May I Please Have a Cookie? by Jennifer Morris
11th: National Blueberry Muffin Day
Picture
If You Give a Moose a Muffin by Laura Numeroff
3rd Sunday: National Ice Cream Day
     -See the list above under National Ice Cream Month.
15th: National Gummi Worm Day
     -Celebrate by reading your favorite book and munching on some delicious bookworms (the gummi variety, of course).
Happy reading!

-Kate @ BTBL

Author

We are three generations that seek a way to get back to basics. It’s not that we eschew technology, but sometimes simpler is better, especially in raising our children. Mom was a reading teacher, Amanda is an early childhood educator and Kate a children’s literature specialist and former school librarian along with the latest additions, a daughter (now 4) for Kate, and two sons (now 2 and 8 months) for Amanda. We advocate reading aloud, the simple toys that use imagination and encourage creativity and learning in the kitchen, which can be a fun mess but also teaches life skills. Join us in raising healthy, happy, inquisitive and intelligent children.

0 Comments

Welcome June & Hello Summer!

5/30/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
*Note: this post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Any purchases made via the links provided go to support our literacy efforts.
     The start of summer is the time to think about planting your garden and with June being National Fresh Fruit & Vegetable month, why not try out some new fruits and vegetables offered in your area? Before planting your garden, read The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss and for the little ones consider reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle or Eating the Alphabet by Lois Ehlert. National Dairy Month has been celebrated since 1939 and with all the health benefits of consuming dairy, be sure to include it in your baking and cooking. Support your local dairy farm during these trying times with a visit and for a fun read, include The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson. Spend the day outdoors with dad on Father‘s Day complete with cheeseburgers, grilled vegetables, strawberry shortcake and a book.
     June is also generally the month when children are released from school to begin enjoying the pleasures of summer but unfortunately, June 2020 has been thrown into a bit of turmoil. Not to worry. Summer is an excellent time for natural learning from gardening, to exploring on nature walks to visiting farms, zoos and aquariums to canning, cooking and baking. All of these activities incorporate reading, math and science naturally and the experiences build background knowledge. Be sure to include plenty of fiction and nonfiction books for children to explore on their own and for read alouds
Picture
June
National Candy, Dairy, Fresh Fruit and Vegetables, Iced Tea & Mango Month
National Dairy Month
Picture
Duke the Dairy Dog: Adventures on the Farm by Kara Susan DeGroot
Picture
Chuck's Ice Cream Wish (Tales of the Dairy Godmother) by Viola Butler
Picture
Hairy MacLary from Donaldson's Dairy by Lynley Dodd
Picture
Clarabelle: Making Milk and So Much More by Cris Peterson
National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month
Picture
Eating the Alphabet by Lois Ehlert
Picture
The Fruits We Eat by Gail Gibbons
Picture
The Vegetables We Eat by Gail Gibbons
Picture
Go, Go, Grapes!: A Fruit Chant by April Pulley Sayre
Picture
Rah, Rah, Radishes!: A Vegetable Chant by April Pulley Sayre
Picture
The Vegetable Alphabet Book by Jerry Pallotta
Picture
The Very Berry Counting Book by Jerry Pallotta
Picture
Mrs. Peanuckle's Fruit Alphabet
Picture
Mrs. Peanuckle's Vegetable Alphabet
Picture
Fruit Bowl by Mark Hoffmann
National Mango Month
Picture
A Mango in the Hand: A Story Told Through Proverbs by Antonio Sacre
Picture
Too Many Mangos by Tammy Paikai
National Iced Tea Month
     Sit back on a blanket out in nature, sip a glass of iced tea and share your favorite storybook.
2nd: National Donut Day
Picture
The Hole Story of the Doughnut by Pat Miller
Picture
If You Give a Dog a Donut by Laura Numeroff
First Full Week: National Garden Week
Picture
Jack's Garden by Henry Cole
Picture
Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert
Picture
From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons
Picture
The Gardener by Sarah Stewart
Picture
We Are The Gardeners by Joanna Gaines
Picture
Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner
Picture
Secrets of the Vegetable Garden (A Shine-a-Light Book) by Carron Brown
Picture
Usborne Peek Inside the Garden
Picture
Usborne Little Lift and Look Garden
Picture
Usborne Wipe-clean Garden Activities
For additional titles, take a look at our previous blog: Why get kids in the garden?.
11th: National Corn on the Cob Day
Picture
Bob & Rob & Corn on the Cob by Todd McQueen
13th: National Weed Your Garden Day
Picture
Weeds Find a Way by Cindy Jenson-Elliott
14th: National Strawberry Shortcake Day
Picture
Cook-A-Doodle-Doo! by Janet Stevens
21st: Father's Day
     Research shows that boys are increasingly viewing reading as something for girls, which tends to result in lower reading scores. The best way to combat this attitude is for children to see the males in their life read. This Father’s Day, have dad or grandpa share their favorite story from childhood.
Happy reading!

-Kate @ BTBL

Author

We are three generations that seek a way to get back to basics. It’s not that we eschew technology, but sometimes simpler is better, especially in raising our children. Mom was a reading teacher, Amanda is an early childhood educator and Kate a children’s literature specialist and former school librarian along with the latest additions, a daughter (now 4) for Kate, and two sons (now 1 and a newborn) for Amanda. We advocate reading aloud, the simple toys that use imagination and encourage creativity and learning in the kitchen, which can be a fun mess but also teaches life skills. Join us in raising healthy, happy, inquisitive and intelligent children.

0 Comments
<<Previous

    Author

    We are mom Sandra and daughters Amanda and Kate, all with backgrounds in literacy and education, who want to share our philosophy of taking the basics of life; books, simple toys that encourage play, imagination and creativity, and using cooking and baking to teach math and real life skills to raise happy, inquisitive children. Join us in exploring the old and the new and sifting through the myriad of research to consider what is best for our children.

    Archives

    June 2022
    January 2022
    November 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    April 2017
    September 2016
    August 2016

    Categories

    All
    ABC Books
    Alphabet Books
    Arbor Day
    Autumn/Fall
    Background Knowledge
    Back To School
    Ballet Books
    Banned Books Week
    Board Books
    Book Advent Calendar
    Book Finds
    Book Quotes
    Books
    Book Sales
    Bookworm Bakers
    Boredom
    BTBL Rocks
    Bugs/Insects
    Calendars
    Censorship
    Children's Book Week
    Christmas
    Coloring
    Cooking
    Creativity
    Dewey Decimal System
    Dr. Seuss
    Early Literacy
    Earth Day
    Easter
    Environmental Print
    Extended Activities
    Fairy Gardens
    Fairy Tales
    Family Literacy Month
    Farmers Markets
    Flowers
    Gardening
    Get Caught Reading Month
    Gratefulness
    Halloween
    Hands-On
    Hanukkah
    Holidays
    Homeschooling
    Imaginative Play
    Inspiration
    Intellectual Freedom
    Kids In The Kitchen
    Kindergarten
    Kindness
    Kindness Rocks Project
    Language
    Learning
    Libraries
    Library Card Sign-up Month
    Magnets
    Manners & Etiquette
    Math
    Natural Playgrounds
    Natural Reader
    Nature
    New Year Resolutions
    Number Books
    Nursery Rhymes
    Outdoor Play
    Picture Books
    Play
    Poetry
    Puzzles
    Read Across America
    Reading
    Reading Aloud
    Reading Comprehension
    Reading Month
    Repetition
    School Libraries
    Screen Free Week
    Spring
    STEM
    Storytelling
    Storytime
    Summer
    Summer Slide
    Teaching
    Tell A Fairy Tale Day
    Thanksgiving
    Toys
    Unplug
    Used Books
    Valentine's Day
    Vocabulary
    Winter
    Winter Books
    Words & Word Play
    World Read Aloud Day

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Back to Basics
    • Contact Us
  • Reading Aloud
    • Research
    • Book Lists >
      • Ballet Books
      • Board Books
      • Alphabet Books
      • Number Books
      • Interactive & Sensory Books
      • Manners & Etiquette Books
      • Stories about Books, Reading & Libraries
      • Fables, Folktales & Fairy Tales
      • Nursery Rhymes & Poetry
      • Holiday Books
      • Graduation Books
      • Baking & Cooking Books
      • Gardening & Farm Books
      • Nature Books
      • Thankfulness & Gratitude Books
      • Pirate Books
      • Books Discussed in Our Handbook
    • Workshops
    • Literacy Events & Attractions
  • Bookworm Bakers
  • Blog
  • Shop
    • Toy Recommendations