July = Flags, Fireworks & Food!

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"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.

July
National Blueberry, Culinary Arts, Grilling, Hot Dog, Ice Cream, Pickle, Picnic & Watermelon Month

National Blueberry Month

Blueberry Mouse by Alice Low

Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey

More Blueberries! by Susan Musgrave

One Little Blueberry by Tammi Salzano

National Culinary Arts Month

Start to Cook by Abigail Wheatley

Children's World Cookbook by Fiona Watt

Stir, Crack, Whisk, Bake by Maddie Frost

The Complete Baking Book for Young Chefs by America's Test Kitchen Kids

The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs by America's Test Kitchen Kids

National Hot Dog Month

The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog! by Mo Willems

Hello, Hot Dog! by Lily Murray

Stan the Hot Dog Man by Ethel and Leonard Kessler

National Ice Cream Month

Ice Cream: The Full Scoop by Gail Gibbons

Wemberly's Ice-Cream Star by Kevin Henkes

Curious George and the Ice Cream Surprise by Margret & H. A. Rey

Curious George Goes to an Ice Cream Shop by Margret & H. A. Rey

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

The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli

Mouse's First Summer by Lauren Thompson

Watermelon Party by Jasmine Cabanaw

One Watermelon Seed by Celia Lottridge

National Picnic Month

The Teddy Bears' Picnic by Jimmy Kennedy

One Hundred Hungry Ants by Elinor J. Pinczes

     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.

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7th: National Chocolate Day

Lily's Chocolate Heart by Kevin Henkes

If You Give a Mouse a Brownie by Laura Numeroff

Curious George Goes to a Chocolate Factory by Margret & H. A. Rey

No Monkeys, No Chocolate by Melissa Stewart and Allen Young

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!

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9th: National Sugar Cookie Day

Who Put the Cookies in the Cookie Jar? by George Shannon

Mo Willems‘ Elephant & Piggie Love Reading!: The Cookie Fiasco by Dan Santat

The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? by Mo Willems

The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson

May I Please Have a Cookie? by Jennifer Morris

11th: National Blueberry Muffin Day

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

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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.