Media Matters

A wordless picture book by Mark Pett.  A girl works hard to earn money for a new bike, but when things don’t turn out the way she planned, she buys her little brother a new tricycle instead. Activity idea: Go on a bike ride together.

 A wordless picture book by Pete Oswald.  A boy and his dad spend the day hiking and enjoying nature. Activity idea: Go on a hike together.

 Short novel by Eleanor Coerr. This short book is a good way to discuss themes of friendship and enduring through trials.  Activity idea:  a Japanese brush calligraphy kit or lesson to do together

 Picture book by Diane Stanley. This is a fun retelling of the Jack and the Beanstalk story from the point of view of the giant. Turns out it’s the story of two nice boys who just love their pets!  The nods to all the other Jacks in nursery rhymes is an added bonus. This book is wordy and meant for older children who are already familiar with the traditional story.

 Picture book by Ashley Spires  A cute story of a little girl who keeps tinkering and trying and making until she makes something magnificent. There’s also a good lesson in taking a break when you start getting frustrated, so you can see things with fresh eyes when you return.

 Picture book by Mark Pett and Gary Rubinstein. This is a book to reassure kids that they don’t have to be perfect. It’s more fun to try something new and do it imperfectly, than not try at all. And when a mistake is made and the moment could be embarrassing, learn to laugh at yourself; that way others will laugh with you instead of at you.

 Picture book by Smriti Prasadam-Halls. This is basically an illustrated motivational poem. Lovely illustrations and sentiments, perfect rhythm and rhyme, but no story. It could be seen as an allegory for our mortal journey.

 Picture book by Patricia Polacco I love this autobiographical tale of a girl learning to read, thanks to a teacher recognizing she had a learning disability and helping her with it. It’s also a great discussion starter about bullying and name-calling, and the many different ways people can be “smart” or intelligent. Activity idea: Write a thank you note to a teacher. 

 Picture book by Jacqueline Woodson. A wistful, thought-provoking story without a happy or clear cut ending. But certainly a springboard for discussion and contemplation of how to treat people with kindness. Appropriate for older children and even teens.

 Picture book by Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer Although this isn’t the best picture book in the world, it is a very good way to introduce the idea of filling people’s buckets.

 Wordless books can be fun for pre-readers to practice their verbal skills, while older kids might enjoy writing their own words to go with the illustrations. Or give everyone one picture to write the words to, then put them together. Tips for reading a wordless book:  Look through it beforehand so you have a general idea where the story is going. Ask lots of questions. How do you think he is feeling? What do you think will happen next? Take time examining the illustrations, enjoying the little details. Have your child read it to you. Here are some of my favorite wordless books: I Walk With Vanessa, by Kerascoet. A new girl at school is excluded and teased, until another girl chooses to walk with her and include her in her group of friends. Hike, by Pete Oswald. A boy and his dad spend the day hiking and enjoying nature. The Girl and the Bicycle, by Mark Pett. A girl works hard to earn money for a new bike, but when things don’t turn out the way she planned, she buys her littl...

 Picture book by Antoinette Portis  This is a very simple beginning reader about everything a cardboard box can be to an imaginative child. Activity idea: Play with a cardboard box.

 Picture book by Kevin Henkes. Delightful beginning reader about a girl who makes up a song, wants to sing it for her parents, but has to wait until the babies wake up. Then they all join in the singing. I appreciate the loving family dynamics portrayed in this one. Activity idea: Make up a song together.