Down by the Barn (Will Hillenbrand)

Title:  Down by the Barn

Author: Will Hillenbrand

Illustrator: Will Hillenbrand

Target Ages: 0-6

First Lines:

Down by the barn,

early in the morning,

see the little wagons

all in a row!

See the tractor driver

pull his little lever…

Puff, Puff

Clink, Clank,

OFF WE G0!

Amazon Summary:  “Down by the barn, early in the morning, a farmer drives his tractor, stopping along the way to pick up a calf, then a chick, then a pig. The group of animals grows and grows until at last they reach their destination...and find a surprise.”

Evaluation: 

I love the rhythm and repetition of the text, making it ideal for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners.  As each animal joins the parade, a new animal sound is added for a cumulative choral romp. Children will want to mimic and participate as you recite it. 

Midway through there is dramatic tension as a fox jumps out in an attempt to grab the chick. He is quickly and humorously put in his place though.  Another highlight that young readers will anticipate and enjoy is the sweet ending.  

The exuberant mixed-media illustrations are vivid and endearing. Down by the Barn is a perfect read out loud selection.

Activities and Extension Ideas for Lesson Plans:

• Practice animal sounds together
• Choral reading
• Dramatic play—act out the reading as a class or using toys/pictures/dress up masks
• Sequencing—anticipate the order of events in follow up readings; after a couple times reading through it, practice putting the events in order using pictures

For more Perfect Picture Books, visit Susanna Hill's blog.  

Picture Books: Animals and Animals Sounds

I have a soft spot for delightful books about animals, especially when they include animal sounds (onomatopoeia).   During my recent trip to the library, I came across two memorable selections—an old one (This and That) and a new one (Baby Says “Moo!”).  Both are perfect for reading out loud to little ones. 

Baby Says “Moo!” (ages infant-3) by JoAnn Early Macken  

People wave and smile as Baby rolls along in the grocery store.   Mommy asks, “Baby, what do people say?”  Baby responds with “Moo!”  Mommy tells him:

People say moo?

That can’t be so.

Everybody knows that

people day hello.

A cow says moo,

sure as you’re my bunny.

Where’d you ever find

an idea so funny. 

As the young family travels on their day trip, they encounter a bird, a cat, a horse, and a dog.  Each time Mommy ask Baby what the animal says.  The baby always answers, “Moo!”    Mommy gently corrects the baby with cumulative poetic rhyming stanzas that include the correct animal sound.  Finally, as they arrive in the country, they spot an animal, white and black. The family is so excited to show the baby the cow.  They ask, “Baby, what do cows say?” This time, he correctly says “Moo!”  Baby Says “Moo!” has a great rhythm and rhyme. There are some key repetitive words and phrases, ideal for reader-listener interaction and child participation.  Bright pictures stand out on a white background.  The text and illustrations capture well this developmental stage and loving family interactions. 

This and That  (ages 2-8) by Julie Sykes and Tonya Linch  

On the farm, Cat wakes up early.  She has lots of work to do.  She comes across Horse, grazing in the field.  Cat greets him and asks to borrow his stable.  Horse neighs a “Yes,”  He wants to know what she will use it for.   “This and that,” purrs the cat.  Cat visits Pig, Goat, Sheep, Hen, Cow, and Donkey, each time requesting something from them and following the same format as the meeting with Horse. The animals happy concede, but they curiously inquire what she needs the items for.  Of course, the response is always vague and nonchalant, “This and that.”  All the animals wonder why Cat is acting so strangely.  They creep over to the barn and peer in to see…two little kittens!  The animals are all abuzz with excitement.  Everyone wants to know their names.   Cat says, “I don’t know, I can’t decide.  What do you think?"  In unison, the animals say, “We know…This and That.”  The textured paper collage illustrations are playful and expressive.  They depict live on the farm in a vibrant manner.  The patterned narrative is sure to engage young listeners and readers. This and That is a brilliant and delightful read. 

It is Read Aloud Thursday at Hope is the Word.   Check out favorite Read Aloud book suggestions from around the blogosphere and/or add links from your blog.  Click HERE.  See "comments" if the list is not in the blog post yet. 

Picture Book: A Pocketful of Posies, A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes

It is Poetry Friday!  This week's host is Alphabet Soup. 

Amidst the dozens and dozens of collections of nursery rhymes available, illustrator Salley Mavor has created a remarkable, one-of-a-kind experience in Pocketful of Posies: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes.   Beginning with morning rhymes and ending with bedtime ones, a whole gamut of daily experiences are explored.  Mavor masterfully weaves the well-known with the unfamiliar.  For instance, on one layout a town is pictured where the rhymes “Pat-a-cake,”  “Cobbler, cobbler, mend my shoe,” and “Polly, put the kettle on” are all intertwined.   In another instance, a rain scene fluidly depicts “Rain, rain go away,”  “There was an old woman lived under a hill,” and “Rain on the green grass.” 

Here are a couple of the lesser known rhymes:

I eat my peas with honey.

I’ve done it all my life.

They do taste kind of funny.

But it keeps them on my knife.

Molly, my sister,

And I fell out,

And what do you think

It was all about?

She loved coffee

And I loved tea,

And that was the reason

We couldn’t agree!

One of my favorites is a bit of a riddle describing the seasonal cycle of a tree:

In the spring I look gay

decked in comely array,

In summer more

clothing I wear.

When colder it grows,

I fling off my clothes,

And in winter

quite naked appear.

The BEST part of this collection is the illustrations!  Salley Mavor used great care and detail in her unique fabric relief technique.  The embroidered scenes use wool felt, hand-sewn dolls, and appealing embellishments to create brilliant multi-dimensional scenes.   The soft colors and rich textures make the pictures pop off the pages!   Each stunning layout is a treasured work of art.  

Reading and memorizing nursery rhymes build important literacy skills for later reading success.  I highly recommend Pocketful of Posies: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes for ages infant to 6. 

Picture Books: Ladybugs (Fiction)

Everyone is familiar with the Eric Carle classic The Grouchy Ladybug. There are two other memorable fictional ladybug picture books worthy of checking out.  (For the best in non-fiction picture books on ladybugs, click HERE.)  The Very Lazy Ladybug and What the Ladybug Heard are ideal to accompany a study of ladybugs or to provide amusement during reading time.    

The Very Lazy Ladybug (ages 4-8) by Isobel Finn 

The very lazy ladybug loves to sleep all day and all night.  One day, she decides she wants to sleep somewhere else, but she is so lazy she never learned to fly.  As a kangaroo bounces by, the lazy ladybug hops in his pouch.  Unable to rest with all the jumping around, she hops unto the back of a tiger who she realizes is too noisy for a good restful snooze!  The cause-effect narrative follows a similar framework as this sample encounter: 

So when a bear ambled by… (turn page)  she hopped onto his ear. 

But the bear liked to scratch!
“I can’t sleep here,” said the lazy ladybug.

“He'll never sit still."

The lazy beetle tries out several different animals until, finally, she lands on an elephant’s trunk.  The elephant sneezes and knocks her into the air…causing her to finally fly!   The eye-catching illustrations are rich in color and full of action.  Several adorable animals are highlighted on the ladybug’s journey into her first flight. 

This book has many teachable moments—animal identification, animal habits, onomatopoeia, action verbs, alliteration, and cause-effect.  My favorite activity though for this story is practicing predicting skills.  As the ladybug encounters each new animal, children can guess what might happen or why the ladybug won’t want to stay.  The Very Lazy Ladybug (by Tiger Tales Publishing) is an exuberant classroom or family read aloud. 

What the Ladybug Heard (ages 3-6) by Julia Donaldson 

Once upon a time on a farm…

The cow said, “Moo!”

and the hen said “Cluck!”

“Hiss!” said the goose

and “Quack!” said the duck.

“Neigh! Said the horse.

“Oink!” said the hog.

“Baa!” said the sheep.

“Woof!” said the dog.

And one cat meowed while the other one purred…

and the ladybug never said a word. 

                                

This playful rhyming poetic sequence is repeated two more times, inviting listener participation and learning of animals sounds.  The silent ladybug saves the day, though, as two thieves come up with a seemingly cunning plot to steal a prize winning cow from the farm.  Seeing and hearing their plan, she rushes away and yells her first word:  “Help!”  She alerts the farm animals of the thieves’ intended path to snatch the cow and comes up with a shrewd strategy of her own which she whispers to each animal.  As the thieves make their way through the dark night, they rely on their ears and the animals' sounds to guide them.  The animals outsmart them though by trading noises, leading the thieves into the duck pond (instead of the prize winning cows’ barn) where they are caught by the farmer (and eventually the police). 

As previously mentioned, the story teaches animal sounds in a fun rhythmic manner.  Youngster can also practice identifying farm animals and poetic devices (rhyme and alliteration).  Readers will enjoy What the Ladybug Heard for its clever humor, rhythmic text, and cheerful illustrations.

LadyBug Activities and Lesson Plans

Across the Curriculum Activities and Lesson from First School

Crafts, Games, and Other Activities from Danielle's Place

Multiple Links to Ladybug Activities

Lesson Plans for K-6 from Lost Ladybug

Ladybug Strawberry Craft or Treat

Awesome Ladybug Cookie Recipe and Other Activities from Almost Unschoolers

Activities and Poem from The Adventures of Bear Blog

Learning Ideas from Storytime and More

Life Cycle Sequencing Cards

Picture Book: Dog Wants to Play (by Christine McDonnell)

Summary of Dog Wants to Play:  

An enthusiastic brown and white dog wants to play.  With great vigor and glee, he approaches each of the animals on the picturesque farm.   The text follows this pattern:

Dog wants to play.

When?

Today!

The animals make excuses.  The first one says:

“Oh, no,” says the kitten.

“I might get bitten.” 

Another one answers:

“I don’t dare,” says the hare.

“I’m too easy to scare.” 

Each encounter ends with the phrase, “Poor Dog.”  The adorable canine also invites a lamb, a chick, a pig, and a calf to play.  They all turn him down in a similar manner.  Finally, he meets a boy and receives the response he is longing for:

“Yes,” says the child.

“I love to be wild.

I’ll play…ALL DAY!”

In the final picture, the dog is ecstatically licking the smiling boy. 

Evaluation: 

I picked up Dog Wants to Play because of the cover art, featuring the smiling protagonist holding a ball.  Jeff Mack’s illustrations are charming and animated.  He captures the enthusiasm and playfulness of the dog as he approaches each character.  In all the pictures, the pup has a ball.  Sometimes it is balancing on his head or feet while other times he has it on his back or paw.  He is clearly ready to play ball.  The illustrations also reveal his temporary disappointment when he is turned away—sad look in his eyes, low posture.  Every page is a delight to look at! 

I also chose this book for the story structure by Christine McDonnell.  Its enthusiasm and disappointment stimulates voice inflection and liveliness.  The patterned text will quickly become familiar to young children.  The repetitive phrases invite youngsters to become involved in the reading process which is essential in creating life-long readers.   I urge parents and teachers of children ages birth to 7 to add Dog Wants to Play to their libraries. 

Teaching Opportunities;

• Rhyme—Identify the rhyming words and brainstorm other words with the same ending
• Character—Discuss how the dog is disappointed but he is also determined; he does not give up until he finds a playmate
• Unit Study—Add to a unit study on farm animals or dogs
• Punctuation—Point out the different punctuation marks highlighted in the first three sentences—period, question mark, and exclamation point; discuss how they help the reader understand and read the story
• Types of Sentences—Older students can learn about the three types of sentences—declarative, interrogative, and exclamatory
• Journaling—Ask the students to finish this sentence, “If I were the main character, I would want to play ________.”  Then, allow them to draw a picture of the activity.
• Reading—Rotate this story into your reading time regularly; encourage your children to “read” along with you
• Choral Reading—Teach small or class groups to read the repetitive parts in unison

For other books with repetition or choral reading, click HERE and HERE.

Using Cows Can't Jump to Teach Children Essential Literacy Skills

Reading aloud to babies, toddlers, and preschoolers is essential.  Interacting with the books during story time is even better.  Mem Fox, literacy advocate and children's book author, states:

Because words are essential in building the thought connections in the brain, the more language a child experiences—through books and through conversation with others, not passively from television—the more advantaged socially, educationally, and in every way the child will be for the rest of his or her life (17-18).

Reading aloud not only contributes to language and social development, but it also prepares children for reading independently in grade school. During the early childhood years, books that have recurring phrases/lines and repetitive sentence patterns are especially beneficial because they build several foundational pre-reading skills, such as word recognition, predicting skills, vocabulary development, and grammar/sentence models. 

Use your reading aloud experiences as natural spring boards (no lesson plan or teaching degree required) for talking about language and character.   Each time you read the same book together, you can repeat prior concepts, expand them, or cover different areas as they are developmentally appropriate for your child.  

Dave Reisman’s Cows Can’t Jump is an excellent book with a repetitive sentence pattern.  It begins with a perplexed cow eyeing a hurdle.  The sentence states: 

Cows can’t jump… (turn page) …but they can swim. 

Across from the swimming cow, there is a gorilla looking terrified at the idea of swimming in a lake.  The next sentence states:

Gorillas can’t swim… (turn page)…but they can swing.

Until the final page, this same sentence pattern is followed with various other animals.   

Illustrator Jason A. Maas uses lively creatures and soft, uncluttered backgrounds, perfect for youngsters.  As they listen and interact with Cows Can’t Jump, on a basic level they are learning to identify animals in the pictures.  Also, children are expanding their sight and oral vocabulary of animals and verbs.  The book offers an excellent opportunity to talk/ask about what other animals can swing, fly, swim, hop, scurry, and so forth.   

Next, there is the reoccurring sentence pattern.  (Animal/noun) can’t (verb), but they can (verb).  This sample sentence can stimulate fun word play important in speaking and writing development.  Create your own sentences, and allow your toddler or preschool child to fill in the blank.  For instance, say, “Birds can’t slither, but they can _____.”  (A follow up question can be:  What animal does slither?) Or you can switch it around and say, “Birds can’t ________, but they can sing.”  Challenge your child to fill in one of the verbs from the book or from his own vocabulary.

You can also just begin with the first part.  Say, “Cats can’t ________.”   Child fills in the blank.  Together, brainstorm several things he can't do--cook, make a bed, drive a car, and so forth.  As his language develops, challenge him to finish it.  Cats can’t talk, but they can ______ (purr, stretch, sleep, cuddle).  Prepare your child for filling in the blank by labeling the cat’s activities throughout the day.  “Aww, look at Fluffy stretching.”  “Do you hear her purr?”  “What is Fluffy doing?  She is sleeping.”  Then, when the child encounters this sentence pattern, he will have several words to put into it.  Continue this amusing word play (at home, in the car, or while waiting in line) with other familiar animals or objects. 

Also, there are some key sight words being repeated: can’t, but, they, and can.  Reading these words over and over again will prompt your child to start recognizing them—first auditorily and, eventually, visually.  It is excellent preparation for independent reading. 

Another aspect I love about Cows Can’t Jump (and other books with repetitive sentence patterns) is the opportunity to practice language and predicting skills.  Older children listening to this book for the first time can be encouraged to guess what the animals CAN do.  (Give lots of praise even for incorrect answers.)  After reading the book a couple times, children (particularly younger ones) can anticipate and verbalize what is on the next page. 

Finally, this book teaches a valuable character lesson: individuality. Each animal is created to do certain skills or tasks. They are unique creatures.  Similarly, God made each person in a special way.  Teach your child that he doesn’t have to be like a sibling or a friend who may do a skill or task better.  Instead, he just needs to be true to how he is fearfully and wonderfully made.  As a result, children can be encouraged to respect individual differences. 

I challenge you to read aloud three stories a day—one favorite, one familiar, and one new.  Add Cows Can’t Jump to your home or school library which is sure to become both a familiar and a favorite.  It is available as a board book (ideal for babies and toddlers) and as a paperback. 

Works Cited

Fox, Mem.  Reading Magic:  Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever.  Harcourt:  San Diego, 2001.

Top 10 Board Books for Children

Board books were an essential aspect of my kids’ childhoods. I cherish the moments I sat reading to them in a rocking chair from the time they were infants. I still have many of these books because I cannot let go of them, even though my kids have outgrown them. Whether you have a child ages 0-5 or may need to buy a gift for someone who does, this list can help you brighten a child’s day and foster his love of reading!  

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. It is one of my all-time favorite read out loud books.  I love the repetition of the text and the onomatopoeia, which will prompt kids to "read" right along with you. Every child needs to experience this book!

The Barnyard Dance.  This book reads like a song, making it easy for babies to stay engaged. The sing-song flow invites children to sing along. 

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?  The simple, textured pictures and rhythmic repetition makes this book beneficial for many reasons. It teaches colors and animals. Each page anticipates what is on the next one, so you can invite your child to “guess” what is next. He will learn quickly, and love being right!  Another benefit of this book is that a child will be able to “read” it on his own quickly—at least he thinks he is reading it.  

Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed.  Who doesn’t love this book?  It follows a formula like many of the others, but young children love formulaic books because they can anticipate and participate.  You can’t have too many of them.  This book also teaches some basic subtraction or counting backwards.  My favorite lesson though:  Listen to your mom! 

But Not the Hippopotamus.   This book is written in simple poetic form with rhyming couplets.  It is an ideal time to discuss rhyming words and practice identifying them.  The phrase “But not the hippopotamus” comes up periodically.  A child will learn to identify when and should be encouraged to say the phrase as a way to participate in the reading.

My First Word: Touch and Feel.  I love all DK books because of their wonderful, vibrant pictures.  This interactive book also incorporates textures, such as fleece, fur, crinkly, and sandpaper for the child to experience and identify.  There are pictures of everyday items based on theme.  I used to point to the pictures and say the word.  Later, I pointed to the picture and asked them to identify it.  Finally, I would say a word, and they had to find it on the page.  

Count with Tigger!   There is a special place in my heart for this book.   When my son was an infant, he was fascinated by the numbers.  They were small on the page, but it was all he was interested in.  He somehow knew they were different than the other items on the page.  Similarly, he pointed out page numbers on other books well before he identified pictures or letters.   He did not talk until he was 3 years old, BUT he knew how to count.  Strange, isn’t it?  Now he is exceptional in math.  Anyway, this book is conducive to counting together. 

Moo, Baa, LA LA LA!   I used a couple different books with animal sounds, which I definitely recommend having on hand, especially as the child gets older.  Animal sounds are some of the first purposeful sounds my kids made.  This particular book though is a good board book because it is just a few basic farm and household animals. 

The books above were my personal favorites to read to my kids.  There are two others that I did not use, but I see them on just about every favorite list.  They are worth mentioning.

Goodnight Moon.  This popular book is often used, as its title might suggest, at bedtime. 

Pat the Bunny. I wish I had come across this book when my kids were younger.  It is a sweet, interactive book with lots of textures to touch.


Many of these titles are also available as regular books.  I recommend board books for kids 2-3 years old and under (depending on their maturity). Board books are more durable and easier for small children to use.  I could trust them in their beds as toddlers at naptime.  Sometimes regular books did not make it through naptime in one piece!  Those are my Top 10 Board Books.  What are your favorites?