*Note: this post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Any purchases made via the links provided go to support our literacy efforts.
“A poem begins in delight and ends in wisdom.”
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Since the beginning of March is when the sap really gets flowing and maple madness begins, my daughter and I visited the maple syrup farm, H&H Sugarbush, in Chelsea during their Michigan Maple weekend to learn firsthand all the ins and outs of tapping trees, boiling sap and making pure maple goodness. We got to walk through the woods to see the taps and lines and then visited the sugarhouse itself to see the huge evaporator. Oh, what a smell! We left with two kinds of syrup (one amber and one dark), maple cream and maple candy and went directly home and made some pancakes.
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Then the next day we visited the Storybook Trail mentioned above and they happened to be featuring a book on maple syrup called Maple Syrup from the Sugarhouse by Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton. In the story you get to join a family as they go about making maple syrup step-by-step, from placing the taps to boiling down the sap. This was a great compliment and finish to our own experience at H&H Surgarbush, as we were able to reflect on all that we had seen as we read the story and explored the trail.
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I truly believe that the best way for children, and really anyone, to learn is through first-hand experience and that is what our fieldtrip to H&H Sugarbush Farm provided and the Storybook Trail reinforced all that she saw and learned in a great setting. So look for seasonal goings-on in your area and pair them with a story book for a unique learning opportunity.
Happy learning!
-Kate @ BTBL
-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 3 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.
*Note: this post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Any purchases made via the links provided go to support our literacy efforts.
Spring has sprung (although it's currently feeling more like summer) and the bugs have arrived. Most of us think of ways to get rid of the pests, but bugs can offer a summer full of reading, science and biology lessons. The natural curiosity of children makes this a fairly easy endeavor because most kids will find some bug fascinating. This is a great time for you as the parent to instruct your child how some bugs are beneficial and serve an ecological function and also offers a valuable opportunity to teach your child about the life, growth, death cycle. If you yourself are not well versed in insects, check out online sites such as National Geographic Kids or The Amateur Entomologists Society’s The Bug Club. You can begin in a fun way by watching the movie A Bug’s Life and then move on from there. Tailor learning to your child’s age, ability and interest. Start by reading stories about bugs. There are board books for the littlest ones, picture books for all ages and chapter books.
Next, use your child’s natural curiosity to locate and observe bugs. Get a magnifying glass and a bug box or jar and let your child loose in the backyard. Include walks in the country, woods and parks and don’t forget to check out rivers and lakes. Teach them to observe, describe, document, research and then they will have added to their background knowledge. Some ideas might include:
- Before heading out to look for bugs, with younger children, review the -ug word family with them: bug, dug, hug, jug, lug, mug, rug, slug, tug.
- After observing their bug, have them draw or build their bug from clay, play dough or some other craft item.
- Identify all the parts of their bug, and count the number of eyes, legs, wings etc.
- Look up their bug in a field guide such as Caterpillars, Bugs and Butterflies (Take-Along Guides) by Mel Boring or a title from National Geographic Kids.
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- For older kids, have them write down their observations and after looking their bug up, have them write down some interesting facts they learned about their bug.
- Encourage your children to create a journal to keep their information in and to add to, creating their own unique field guide.
Remember that this isn’t a one-time activity but something that you can continue to revisit throughout the summer and beyond. Make bug crafts with your child (search the Internet for ideas,) play bug games such as Cootie or Mojo Education Bug-tastic Memory Match Game and look for events at local parks and nature centers that teach about insects. Learning about bugs will use those skills your child already has, building confidence and will further create new skills, to help further development, so go ahead and embrace the creepy crawlies this summer.
A quick Google search or browse through Amazon with the key words 'bug books for kids' will come back with a plethora of results, so we've put together a list of our favorite, buggiest bug books!
Mrs. Peanuckle's Bug Alphabet
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Bugs A to Z by Caroline Lawton
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100 Bugs!: A Counting Book by Kate Narita
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One Hundred Hungry Ants by Elinor J. Pinczes
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Some Bugs by Angela DiTrelizzi
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Bugs Galore by Peter Stein
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Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! by Bob Barner
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The Bug Book by Sue Fliess
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The Backyard Bug Book for Kids by Lauren Davidson
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The Big Book of Bugs by Yuval Zommer
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The Bugliest Bug by Carol Diggory Shields
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It's a Firefly Night by Dianne Ochiltree
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The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
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Diary of a Fly by Doreen Cronin
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A Way with Wild Things by Larissa Theule
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This particular title, How to Survive as a Firefly by Kirsten Foote, deserves a moment in the spotlight. Not only is this book witty and laugh-out-loud funny, it is also illuminating (see what I did there, ha) and highly engaging for all ages. Follow along as a stern, older firefly (reminiscent of a drill sergeant) is educating the new larvae on what it takes to become and survive as a firefly. There's tons of unique vocabulary, such as metamorphosis and bioluminescence, lots of interesting facts scattered throughout in various sidebars and diagrams, and follow-up pages after the story with additional information, as well as a glossary. Use your best commanding voice when reading this one aloud or turn it into a reader's theatre!
Usborne Books & More
Bugs (Usborne Young Beginners)
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The Usborne Big Books of Bugs
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Little Lift and Look Bugs
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Lift-the-Flap Bugs & Butterflies
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Peek Inside Bug Homes
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Bug Hotel: A Lift-the-Flap Book of Discovery
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First Sticker Book Bugs
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100 Bugs to Fold & Fly
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1001 Bugs to Spot Sticker Book
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Pull-back Busy Bug Book
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I am an Educational Services Representative, as well as Independent Consultant, with Usborne Books & More.
Happy bug hunting and reading!
-Kate @ BTBL
-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.
*Note: this post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Any purchases made via the links provided go to support our literacy efforts.
As the saying goes, April showers bring May flowers, so now is the time to get out in the yard and plant some sunny blooms that not only attract the butterflies and bees but also brightens up a world that certainly needs some happy colors at this time.
Children and nature is a great combination building physically healthier children with a stronger immune system. Being outdoors also improves sensory skills, increases attention span and aids in social/emotional development. One way to spend time outdoors is in a flower garden, which then can be brought indoors. Bringing the outdoors in with flowers is a wonderful way to add color and fragrance to a room but flowers can also be added to a meal and what child doesn‘t love to pick flowers? Edible flowers often taste like they smell so try some different varieties to find what you like. Just remember that not all flowers are edible so be sure to do a bit of research first. Some edible varieties to include might be:
- Arugula Flowers: Peppery flavor, just like arugula leaves. Use in salads or other savory dishes.
- Chive Blossoms: Delicate, oniony flavor. Use whole flowers or separate the individual petals.
- Hibiscus: Tart and sweet. Often used in teas, and salads.
- Jasmine: Very sweet, floral fragrance and flavor. Use in teas or desserts.
- Lavender: Floral flavor that's perfume-y and faintly citrusy. Use in teas, desserts, or other baked goods.
- Lemon Verbena: Light lemon flavor that's well-suited for sweet or savory cooking.
- Violets: Sweet and floral. Use in dessert or freeze into ice cubes for decorative drinking.
(Partial list from Good Housekeeping)
In addition to growing some edible flowers, why not please the natural pollinators that visit your yard; bees and butterflies. Include those flowers that attract bees such as Bee Balm, Black-eyed Susan, Goldenrod, Butterfly Bush, Purple Coneflower, Snowdrops, Crocus, Salvia, Sunflowers and Roses. The honey that bees produce makes a great sweetener in baked goods, on biscuits and in tea. Making honey candy is also a fun family activity. Look for various recipes and how tos online. Remember, due to the increased risk of botulism, do not give honey to children under the age of one year.
Be sure that when you choose your flowers and plant your garden that you make it a fun and engaging day that promotes discovery and natural learning. Then sit in your newly planted flower garden and read a flowery title such as:
Plant the Tiny Seed by Christie Matheson
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The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle
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National Geographic Kids Readers: Seed to Plant by Kristin Baird Rattini
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The Reason for a Flower by Ruth Heller
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The Big Book of Blooms by Yuval Zommer
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Jack's Garden by Henry Cole
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Flowers Are Calling by Rita Gray
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Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert
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Plantzilla by Jerdine Nolen
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One Whole Bunch by Mary Meyer
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Mrs. Peanuckle's Flower Alphabet
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An ABC of Flowers by Jutta Hilpuesch
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What Does Bunny See?: A Book of Colors and Flowers by Linda Sue Park
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Ultimate Explorer Field Guide: Wildflowers by Libby Romero
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Usborne Books and More
Lift-the-flap First Questions and Answers: How Do Flowers Grow?
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How Flowers Grow
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The Wild Garden
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Sunflowers are a favorite flower for children to grow and include many varieties that vary in color and size. For a fun project for the whole family, read The Sunflower House by Eve Bunting and then get some mammoth sunflower seeds and plant your own sunflower house in your yard. At the end of summer, harvest the large seeds they produce and roast them for some healthy yummy goodness. Simply Recipes has a great article on their website, “How to Harvest and Roast (in shell) Sunflower Seeds” that covers the entire process.
One of our favorite “flower” books is the classic The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. To share the story through the years and ages of your children:
- The Secret Garden: A BabyLit Flowers Primer by Jennifer Adams
- The Secret Garden: A BabyLit Storybook by Mandy Archer
- The Secret Garden by Igloo Books (an enchanting retelling of a modern classic)
- Secret in the Garden, A Peek Through Book by James Mayhew
- The Illustrated Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
- The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
- Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book by Johanna Basford
- The Secret Garden Cookbook by Amy Cotler
Happy planting and reading!
-Kate @ BTBL
-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.
*Note: this post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Any purchases made via the links provided go to support our literacy efforts.
May; A time of flowers blooming and thoughts of summer planting. In addition, the month of May reserves a special day for the foods BBQ, Egg, Hamburger, Salad, Salsa and Strawberry, as well as celebrating National Herb Week during the first week of the month. We suggest you plant an herb garden, even if it’s in a container or on the deck, to enjoy all summer long. You might even consider having the child in your life give mom or grandma an herb plant for Mother‘s Day along with a favorite recipe filled with herbs. Have dad or another family member help kids make mom a special dinner and dessert featuring favorite herbs. A prime day to learn about another culture is Cinco de Mayo. Consider sharing a bilingual storybook. Since National Chocolate Chip, Walnut and Devil‘s Food Cake Day fall during the week of World Baking Day, find a new recipe to try out with your child(ren) and let the flour flow!
The month of May is also Get Caught Reading Month. It’s a time for you and your children to go on an adventure and lose yourself in another world. This is not just for kids but for all people to take the time to get out a favorite book or a new one and just read! Check out the Get Caught Reading site and look at all the celebrities who got caught reading and take photos of your own family members reading and share them on your Facebook page or even ours. Don’t forget that reading can include cookbooks. Consider including some classics and then cook your way through the classics with The Storybook Cookbook by Carol MacGregor or Fairy Tale Feasts by Jane Yolen.
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“Eating and reading are two pleasures that combine admirably.”
C.S. Lewis
C.S. Lewis
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May
National BBQ, Egg, Hamburger, Salad, Salsa & Strawberry Month &
Get Caught Reading Month
National BBQ, Egg, Hamburger, Salad, Salsa & Strawberry Month &
Get Caught Reading Month
National Strawberry Month
The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry and The Big Hungry Bear by Don & Audrey Wood
Get Caught Reading Month
Get caught reading whatever tickles your fancy all month long and share your photos with us!
2nd: National Truffle Day
4th - 10th: Children's Book Week - Get in on the fun by reading your favorite children's books aloud and visit Every Child a Reader's website for celebration ideas and resources. #BookWeek2020atHome
4th: Star Wars Day - May the Fourth Be With You!
Darth Vader and Son by Jeffrey Brown
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Vader's Little Princess by Jeffrey Brown
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4th: National Orange Juice Day
5th: Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo by Carlson Berne
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Cinco de Mouse-O! by Judy Cox
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Chicks and Salsa by Aaron Reynolds
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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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First Saturday: National Herb Day
Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots: Gardening Together With Kids by Sharon Lovejoy
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Sunflower Houses: Inspiration from the Garden - A Book for Children and Their Grown Ups by Sharon Lovejoy
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13th: National Apple Pie Day
A Apple Pie by Kate Greenaway
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How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman
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The Apple Pie that Papa Baked by Lauren Thompson
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Annie the Apple Pie Fairy by Tim Bugbird
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2nd Sunday: Mother‘s Day
The Night Before Mother's Day by Natasha Wing
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Mother's Day Mice by Eve Bunting
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I Love My Mommy Because... by Laurel Porter Gaylord
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Are You My Mother? by P. D. Eastman
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Me and My Mom! by Alison Ritchie
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15th: National Chocolate Chip Day
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
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The 1st American Cookie Lady by Barbara Swell
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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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The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson
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17th: World Baking Day
Alpha-Bakery by Gold Medal Flour
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Dough Knights and Dragons by Dee Leone
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Sun Bread by Elisa Kleven
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Mommy & Me Bake by DK
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The Great Fairy Baking Competition by Thomas Nelson
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Hear a spectacular read aloud of How to Bake a Book (known as Recipe for a Story in the UK) on YouTube here.
17th: National Walnut Day
Let's Go Nuts!: Seeds We Eat by April Pulley Sayre
19th: National Devil‘s Food Cake Day
Let's Bake a Cake! by Anne-Sophie Bauman
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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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Bunny Cakes (Max & Ruby) by Rosemary Wells
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Froggy Bakes a Cake by Jonathan London
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Marigold Bakes a Cake by Mike Malbrough
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Jake Baked the Cake by B. G. Hennessy
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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 and Will Hillenbrand
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Bake the world a better place!
Happy baking and reading!
-Kate @ BTBL
-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.
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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