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Reading and cooking with kids

It's National Family Literacy Month!

11/2/2020

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*Note: This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Any purchases made via the links provided go to support our literacy efforts.
     Today marks the second day of National Family Literacy Month. This is a month that has been designated to bringing attention to getting the whole family involved in bringing literacy to the forefront. Study after study has shown that reading aloud is the most important activity that you can engage in with your children to prepare them for reading on their own and to raising a future reader, opening a plethora of future possibilities.
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     Reading aloud is best started right from the beginning with infants, giving them the opportunity to listen to your voice as you read stories and looking at illustrations but if you didn’t start reading to your child when they were an infant, there is no better time like the present to begin. Reading aloud to your child will help with vocabulary, writing skills, memory, attention span and builds background knowledge, giving them an understanding of their world and also teaching empathy. Don’t forget to read with feeling and excitement, using different voices when possible. Look at the illustrations together and see if they hold clues to the story, characters and subsequent outcome. Be sure to make it a fun experience that builds curiosity so that children will gain a fondness for books and don’t forget to share books from your childhood as well.
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If you aren’t sure what to read, check with your local bookseller, library or check out ourbook lists. Some of our go-to read alouds include:
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Nibbles: The Book Monster
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Jonathan James and the Whatif Monster
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Cordelia
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The Prince and the Witch and the Thief and the Bears
     Remember that National Family Literacy Month includes the entire family and that reading aloud is not  enjoyable and beneficial for children alone. Adult children reading to their aging parents, adults reading to other adults and even beginning readers reading to others to gain confidence should all be included this month and beyond. Reading is a gift, meant to be shared.
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 1) 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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November, A Month of Giving Thanks

10/27/2020

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*Note: this post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Any purchases made via the links provided go to support our literacy efforts.
     Thoreau’s quote gives us food for thought. We should all be grateful for what we have and teach our children to be thankful each and every day and not just one day a year. This is not to say that we shouldn’t encourage our children to reach higher and strive for a bit more, but we should remember that there is always something in our life to be thankful for and that the experiences we go through in our lives, ultimately make us who we are. So spend some time with loved ones around the table or walking among the leaves and think about all that you are thankful for.
     It‘s rather fitting that November is National Sweet Potato Awareness month because that is often the vegetable of choice at Thanksgiving and National Stuffing Day is celebrated with Thanksgiving right around the corner. Try out some new recipes for the holiday but also share your old family favorites. Allow children to help out with the preparation of the family meal and when possible, bring the generations of your family together to build lasting memories. A story to consider might be Sweet Potato Pie by Kathleen D. Lindsey.
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November
National Peanut Butter Lovers, Pepper, Pomegranate, Raisin Bread & Sweet Potato Awareness Month
1st: National Calzone Day
     We couldn’t find any storybooks featuring calzones specifically, so we suggest you choose a pizza story  to read aloud instead.
1st: National Deep Fried Clam Day
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Clam-I-Am!: All About the Beach by Tish Rabe
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Sam the Clam: Adventures Under the Jetty by Dr. Lindsey Furman Dougherty PhD
3rd: National Sandwich Day
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The Bear Ate Your Sandwich by Julia Sarcone-Roach
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Sam's Sandwich by David Pelham
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Carla's Sandwich by Debbie Herman
4th: National Candy Day
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Are You Eating Candy Without Me? by Draga Jenny Malesevic
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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
6th: National Nachos Day
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Nacho’s Nachos: The Story Behind the World’s Favorite Snack by Sandra Nickel
14th: National Pickle Day
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Stop That Pickle! by Pete Armour
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Pickle-Chiffon Pie by Jolly Roger Bradfield
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Pickle Things by Marc Brown
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Pickles to Pittsburgh by Judi Barrett
21st: National Stuffing Day
4th Thursday: Thanksgiving
     Take a look back at our previous blogs, Save a Turkey! Gobble up a good book! and Give Thanks for Books This November!, to see our favorite books to read aloud for Thanksgiving.
26th: National Cake Day
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Let's Bake a Cake! by Anne-Sophie Baumann
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Five Little Monkeys Bake a Birthday Cake by Eileen Christelow
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The Magic School Bus Gets Baked in a Cake by Joanna Cole
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Jake Baked the Cake by B. G. Hennessy
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Froggy Bakes A Cake by Jonathan London
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Marigold Bakes a Cake by Mike Marlbrough
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Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco
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The Fairytale Cake by Mark Sperring
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Whopper Cake by Karma Wilson
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A Piece of Cake by LeUyen Pham
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Piggies in the Kitchen by Michelle Meadows
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Bunny Cakes by Rosemary Wells
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Warthogs in the Kitchen by Pamela Duncan Edwards
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Mr. Putter & Tabby Bake the Cake by Cynthia Rylant
28th: National French Toast Day
     Josh Funk's captivating series, Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast, can be read on a number of special days as each title features an entire cast of food characters.
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Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast (Volume 1)
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The Case of the Stinky Stench (Volume 2)
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Mission Defrostable (Volume 3)
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Short & Sweet (Volume 4)
Happy reading and baking!

-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 1) 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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October, The Color and Flavor of Fall

9/26/2020

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*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!

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October
National Apple, Caramel, Chili, Cookbook, Cookie, Dessert, Pasta, Pizza, Popcorn Poppin‘, Pork, Pumpkin, Seafood & Tomato Month
National Apple Month
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Hello, World! How Do Apples Grow? by Jill McDonald
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Applesauce Day by Lisa J. Amstutz
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Apples A to Z by Margaret McNamara
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From Apple Trees To Cider, Please! by Felicia Sanzari Chernesky
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Secrets of the Apple Tree: A Shine-A-Light Book by Carron Brown
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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
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Armadilly Chili by Heather Ketteman
National Cookbook Month
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Grandpa's Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Cookbook by Judi Barrett
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The Great Fairy Baking Competition by Thomas Nelson
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The Tasha Tudor Family Cookbook
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Start to Cook by Abigail Wheatley
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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
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Who Put the Cookies in the Cookie Jar? by George Shannon
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The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson
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The Cookie Fiasco (Elephant & Piggie Like Reading!) by Dan Santat
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The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? by Mo Willems
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Who Took the Cookies from the Cookie Jar? by Bonnie Lass & Philomen Sturgess
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Cookies!: An Interactive Recipe Book (Cook in a Book) by Lotta Nieminen
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If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
National Pizza Month
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Pete the Cat and the Perfect Pizza Party by Kimberly & James Dean
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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
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Tomie dePaola's The Popcorn Book
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Popcorn! by Elaine Landau
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Popcorn Country: The Story of America's Favorite Snack by Cris Peterson
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Popcorn by Alex Moran
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The Popcorn Shop by Alice Low
National Pumpkin Month
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The Very Best Pumpkin by Mark Kimball Moulton
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From Seed to Pumpkin by Wendy Pfeffer
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How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin? by Margaret McNamara
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Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White
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How Big Could Your Pumpkin Grow? by Wendell Minor
National Tomato Month
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I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato by Lauren Child
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Fruit Bowl by Mark Hoffmann
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Too Many Tomatoes by Eric Ode
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Alien Tomato by Kristen Schroeder
1st: National Homemade Cookie Day
     Refer to 'National Cookie Month' above.
4th: National Taco Day
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Tacos!: An Interactive Recipe Book (Cook in a Book) by Lotta Nieminen
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Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin
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Dragons Love Tacos 2: The Sequel by Adam Rubin
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Little Taco Truck by Tanya Valentine
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This is a Taco by Andrew Cangelose
4th: National Pumpkin Seed Day
     Refer to 'National Pumpkin Month' above.
6th: National Noodle Day
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Everybody Brings Noodles by Norah Dooley
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Tony Baroni Loves Macaroni by Marilyn Sadler
8th: National Pierogi Day
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Every Culture Has a Pierogi by Lorraine Krusinski
9th: World Egg Day
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An Egg is Quiet by Dianna Hutts Aston
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Chickens Aren't the Only Ones by Ruth Heller
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Egg: Nature's Perfect Package by Robin Page & Steve Jenkins
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Egg by Kevin Henkes
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The Good Egg by Jory John
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Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss
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Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
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Scrambled Eggs Super! by Dr. Seuss
10th: National Cake Decorating Day
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Decorate Cakes, Cupcakes and Cookies with Kids by Autumn Carpenter
12th: National Farmer's Day
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Before We Eat: From Farm to Table by Pat Brisson
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On the Farm, At the Market by G. Brian Karas
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A Farmer's Life for Me by Jan Dobbins
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On the Farm by David Elliott
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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
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The Pasta Family (Goes to Marinara Beach) by Cory & Laureen Tilson
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The Great Pasta Escape by Miranda Paul
18th: National Chocolate Cupcake Day
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Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes by Kimberly & James Dean
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If You Give a Cat a Cupcake by Laura Numeroff
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Cupcake by Charise Mericle Harper
22nd: National Nut Day
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Let‘s Go Nuts!: Seeds We Eat by April Pulley Sayre
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Who Stole the Hazelnuts? by Marcus Pfister
24th: National Food Day
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How Did That Get In My Lunchbox?: The Story of Food by Chris Butterworth
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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
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No Monkeys, No Chocolate by Melissa Stewart and Allen Young
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Margret & H. A. Rey's Curious George Goes to a Chocolate Factory
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All About Chocolate by Madison Spielman
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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
29th: National Oatmeal Day
30th: National Candy Corn Day
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Julius's Candy Corn by Kevin Henkes
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“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.

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September: The Beauty of Change is Upon Us

8/27/2020

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*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.
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September
National Biscuit, Chicken, Food Safety, Hazelnut, Honey, Mushroom, Potato & Rice Month
National Chicken Month
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Chicks & Chickens by Gail Gibbons
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Big Chickens by Leslie Helakoski
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My Life as a Chicken by Ellen A. Kelley
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Sonya's Chickens by Phoebe Wahl
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Tillie Lay An Egg by Terry Golson
National Hazelnut Month
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Who Stole the Hazelnuts? by Marcus Pfister
National Honey Month
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Hands Off My Honey! by Jane Chapman
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If You Love Honey by Martha Sullivan
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Please Please the Bees by Gerald Kelley
National Rice Month
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Everybody Cooks Rice by Norah Dooley
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One Grain of Rice: A Mathematical Folktale by Demi
1st Full Week: National Waffle Week
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Woodpecker Wants a Waffle by Steve Breen
3rd Week: National Farm Safety & Health Week
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On the Farm, At the Market by G. Brian Karas
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Right This Very Minute: A table-to-farm book about food and farming by Lisl H. Detlefsen
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Before We Eat: From Farm to Table by Pat Brisson
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The Farm That Feeds Us: A year in the life of an organic farm by Nancy Castaldo
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Farmers Market Create-And-Play Activity Book by Deanna F. Cook
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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
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Everyone Loves Bacon by Kelly DiPucchio
7th: National Acorn Squash Day
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Sophie's Squash by Pat Zietlow Miller
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Sophie's Squash Go to School by Pat Zietlow Miller
11th: National Hot Cross Buns Day
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Hot Cross Buns and Other Old Street Cries by John Langstaff
12th: National Blackberry Day
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The Blackberry Mouse by Matthew Grimsdale
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The Very Berry Counting Book by Jerry Pallotta
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Mr. McGee and the Blackberry Jam by Pamela Allen
13th: National Chocolate Day
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No Monkeys, No Chocolate by Melissa Stewart and Allen Young
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Margret & H. A. Rey's Curious George Goes to a Chocolate Factory
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The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling
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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
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This Book Is Not Good For You by Pseudonymous Bosch
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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
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The Life and Times of the Peanut by Charles Micucci
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Peanut Butter and Jelly: A Play Rhyme by Nadine Bernard Wescott
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Peanut Butter & Brains: A Zombie Culinary Tale by Joe McGee
18th: National Cheeseburger Day
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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.
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Johnny Appleseed: The Story of a Legend by Will Moses
26th: National Dumpling Day
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Dumpling Soup by Jama Kim Rattigan
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The Ugly Dumpling by Stephanie Campisi
26th: National Pancake Day
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If You Give a Pig a Pancake by Laura Numeroff
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Pancakes for Breakfast by Tome dePaola
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Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast by Josh Funk
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Pancakes, Pancakes by Eric Carle
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Pancakes with Grandma by Kathryn Smith
27th: National Chocolate Milk Day
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Chocolate Milk by Alexandra Rizik
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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.

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Give Thanks for Books this November!

10/27/2019

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*Note: this post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Any purchases made via the links provided go to support our literacy efforts.
     The last month of fall is the month in which we give thanks for all that we’ve been blessed with. Consider yourself very fortunate indeed if you can read. Pass on this skill along with a love and appreciation of books to your children. Thanksgiving titles to read include ‘Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey, Arthur’s Thanksgiving by Marc Brown, A Snowman Named Just Bob by Mark Kimball Moulton and the classic Over the River and Through the Wood by Lydia Maria Child.
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“Never let the things you want make you forget the things you have.”
 Anonymous

     Instead of just being thankful on Thanksgiving, we at BTBL advocate teaching children (and adults) to be thankful or grateful each and every day to help reinforce the positive. Unfortunately, we as humans are programmed by nature to recognize and even dwell on the negative.  The survival of our ancestors depended upon their recognizing danger and responding to it. It is believed that the brain developed systems that would make it unavoidable for us not to notice danger and thus, hopefully, respond to it. Being aware of danger is necessary for children to remain safe but it seems that today we have become focused on every negative aspect of day to day life, which only seems to be fueled by social media. We suggest you try to start each day by asking your children what they are grateful for and then teach them to be aware of their thoughts and actions during the day and to look for the good in people and situations. Perhaps at the end of the day, ask them again what good things happened throughout their day to make them more aware of the positive. One way to begin is to read the book Thankful by Eileen Spinelli. You can make a “thankful” or “grateful” board where you write down what every member of the family is grateful for or keep a “grateful” box or for older children, a “grateful” journal. To continually reinforce the concept, don’t preach but consider reading books that espouse thankfulness or gratefulness. Some titles to consider include Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson, Apple Cake: A Gratitude by Dawn Casey, Just So Thankful by Mercer Mayer, Giving Thanks: More than 100 ways to say thank you by Ellen Surrey, Grateful: A Song of Giving Thanks by John Bucchino and All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon.
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What's happening in November?
1st: National Family Literacy Day - Find time now and throughout the year to sit down as a family and read together.
First Tuesday (after the first Monday) is Election Day - Teach your children the importance of being informed and exercising their right to vote. Fun books to consider include Monster Needs Your Vote by Paul Czajak and Madame President by Lane Smith.
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First Saturday is Book Lovers Day - Another celebration for those who love to read. Choose a favorite book, get cozy and read aloud with those you love.
11th: Veterans Day - Honor our military veterans by reading with a Vet or donating a book to a Veteran’s organization. Consider reading with your child H is for Honor: A Military Family Alphabet by Devin Scillian, Hero Mom or Hero Dad by Melinda Harden and Veterans: Heroes in Our Neighborhood by Valerie Pfundstein.
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15th: Author Marc Brown’s Birthday - Introduce your child to the famous aardvark Arthur. There are numerous books from picture books to chapter books as well as a PBS series.
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29th: Author Louisa May Alcott’s Birthday - Author of the well-known books Little Women and Little Men. Introduce your child to the classics by reading them aloud (you judge the age of appreciation.) Remember that listening comprehension is greater than reading comprehension.
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          Author Jon Klassen’s Birthday - Get out your favorite hat or make one and read I Want My Hat Back, This is Not My Hat or We Found a Hat.
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Fourth Thursday is Thanksgiving - Give thanks for books this holiday by sharing a Thanksgiving story from our list of Holiday Books. Also, take a look at our previous blog: Save a turkey! Gobble up a good book!.
30th: Author L. M. Montgomery - Another classic that was once a staple of every child’s literary education was Anne of Green Gables. Be sure to include classics in your child’s reading library.
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Be grateful and read!

-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.

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    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.

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