*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.
September
National Biscuit, Chicken, Food Safety, Hazelnut, Honey, Mushroom, Potato & Rice Month
National Chicken Month
National Hazelnut Month
National Honey Month
National Rice Month
1st Full Week: National Waffle Week
3rd Week: National Farm Safety & Health Week
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
7th: National Acorn Squash Day
11th: National Hot Cross Buns Day
12th: National Blackberry Day
13th: National Chocolate Day
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
18th: National Cheeseburger Day
22nd: National White Chocolate Day
23rd: National Pot Pie Day
26th: National Johnny Appleseed Day
*Additional titles referenced toward the beginning of this post.
26th: National Dumpling Day
26th: National Pancake Day
27th: National Chocolate Milk Day
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.
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*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
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August
National Peach & Sandwich Month
National Peach Month
National Sandwich Month
1st Full Week: National Farmers Market Week
1st Saturday: National Mustard Day
2nd: National Ice Cream Sandwich Day
3rd: National Watermelon Day
4th: National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day
6th: National Root Beer Float Day
8th: National Zucchini Day
10th: National S'mores Day
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.
19th: National Honey Bee Day
Bee Books From Usborne Books & More
20th: National Lemonade Day
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
30th: National Toasted Marshmallow Day
31st: National Trail Mix Day
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“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.
*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."
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AuthorWe 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
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