Summary of Book
This book is about the different things brothers do.        

Before Reading
Ask your child some questions, such as:

• What are some of the things that you and your brother/sister do?  (If the child does not have a sibling, ask about things they do with another family member.)
• Are you a big brother/sister or a little brother/sister?  (Again, if the child does not have siblings ask about other family members? 
• Are you my son or daughter?
• Are you a cousin?

During Reading
You can ask your child questions as you read the book.  Some examples are:

Do you know what it means to munch?  If not, explain that munching is a type of chewing.  Have you ever: washed dishes, had a race, played baseball, helped your brother/sister/friend when they were hurt or sad, tied your shoes? Do you know what the word bulge means?  If not, explain the meaning.

After Reading
If you have a photo album or photos of you with your siblings, show them to your child and tell him/her what was going on when the picture was taken.   If there are pictures of the child with siblings, show them to the child and talk about what was going on when the picture was taken.  If the child remembers when the picture was taken, s/he can talk about that time.   If the child has a sibling, ask all the children to do some of the activities that were in the book.  For example, allow them to go outside and have a race, tell them to stand in front of the mirror and make muscles, or let them pretend to have super powers. 

Summary of Book
This book contains photo illustrations of real life sisters in a variety of adventures in many different settings.  This is a rhyming text.

Before Reading
Any time a book is shared aloud, the reader should take a picture walk, a walk through the book just looking at the pictures.  This is a chance for the child to get a sneak peek of what is in store for them.  Before opening the book show the child the cover and read the title.  Ask them what they think the book will be about, based only on what they see.  Then slowly flip though the book, page by page, without reading a single word.  Ask questions about each picture they see.  Examples of questions you might ask are: 

• What is going on here?
• Who is this?
• Why do they look excited?
• Where do you think they are?   

During Reading
Once you are finished with the picture walk and have started actually reading the book aloud to your child, you can ask other questions as you have an opportunity.  Some of these can start discussions that relate to your child's experience. 

Examples are:
How does your big/little sister help you? How do you help your big/little sister? What does this remind you of?

After Reading
Some of the pictures in the book may make personal connections for your child.  After the reading is a good time to review these connections talking in greater detail than during reading. The child, with your help, could go back through the book and find one or two activities illustrated in the book that s/he could do with you, a sibling, or a friend. The child and reader could brainstorm a list of ways the child could help others such as the ways the sisters helped each other in the book.  The list could be written and each time the child completes one a star could be drawn next to it.  Once all of the items are completed, a small reward could be given (ice cream, an extra story at bedtime, etc.).          

Summary of Book 
This is the story of Ruby and her brother Max.  They go into town to buy a present for their grandmother.  Ruby's brother then sets out and spends the money on silly things.  Soon they do not have enough money for the original present, but they find one even better, some musical earrings.

Before Reading
Make predictions about what will happen in the story based on the pictures on the cover.  Ask questions like:

• What is Max holding?
• How do we know his name is Max?
• Where do we see his picture?

During Reading
Ask questions:

• Why does Ruby give Max money?
• Will they have enough money for the present?
• Do you think Max is younger than Ruby? Why? 

After Reading 
Make your own money using pictures you have drawn of rabbits.  Include a picture of the child as the center of the money.  You can do this with small photos or let the child draw his/her face to put on the money.  Set up a store using items from around the house; price each item.  Let the child use the money s/he has made to buy items.  You and your child can take turns being the storekeeper and the shopper.

Summary of Book
One Mama Duck paddles and quacks.  One, two, three ducklings swim behind.  But Dawdle Duckling doesn't follow dutifully behind Mama Duck like his three siblings do.  He's too busy preening and playing, splashing and spinning, dunking and dipping and always, always dreaming.  Dawdlers and moms alike will love this cheerful, reassuring tale of youthful rebellion and parental protection, with an exciting surprise ending!      

Before Reading
Talk about the pictures on the cover.  Ask your child what the book is about and let him/her make predictions of what will happen.  If your child has seen ducks at a pond or zoo, remind him/her of this experience.  Ask your child what a duck says.    

During Reading
As you read the book, ask your child questions about what is happening, such as:  

Can you count the ducklings? Can you point to the fish? How many hats are on this page? Do you like to swim and splash in the water? What color is the water? What other animals do you see? What does the frog say? What lesson did we learn?

After Reading
Visit a local park with a pond to see ducks and ducklings.   Let your child re-tell the story and act out what happened in the book.  

Summary of Book
This book describes the day of a firefighter.  You can see where a firefighter lives and what s/he does when at the fire station.  The book also describes what firefighters wear and how they put out the fires to save people, pets, and houses.    

Before Reading
Before reading the book take a picture walk through the book.  Look at the pictures and talk about what is happening without reading the words.  You can ask your child questions as you do this, such as: Have you ever seen a fire engine? or Have you ever heard the siren on a fire engine?    

During Reading
As you read, ask your child questions about what is happening.  Some questions are:

• Do you think the firefighter will save Ben?
• Why does the firefighter wear special clothes?
• Do you think they will be able to put out the fire?

After Reading
Connect this book to your child's life and experiences.  Visit a fire station and talk with the firefighters there.   With your family, develop a plan for getting out of the house safely in case of a fire or other emergency.  (Caution:  Some children find this idea very scary.  You know your own child, so consider this as you decide whether to do this activity.  It is important to have a plan, but your child may need to be a little older to actively participate in the planning.)                      

Summary of Book
As the zoo closes for the evening, Joe, the zookeeper, makes his rounds to make sure all of the zoo animals are safe and secure for the night.  He and his wife are in for a surprise when he gets home, crawls into bed, turns out the light, and bids his final "good night". Find out what these animals are up to in "Good Night, Gorilla."            

Before Reading
Talk about going to the zoo and the kinds of animals that might be found in the zoo.

Take a picture walk (just flip through the book and look at the pictures only and talk about them) through the book pointing out and naming the zoo animals.   Ask questions, such as these:

• Have you ever been to the zoo?
• What do you think happens at the zoo once everyone goes home?
• If you could have any animal from the zoo as a pet, which one would it be?

During Reading
Talk about each animal.  Ask questions that would describe the animals.  (What color is the gorilla?  Is the elephant big or little?  What sound does the lion make?)   Ask your child to make the sounds of each animal or act like the animal (laugh like the hyena, roar like the lion). As you read the book, ask your child questions, such as:

Can you predict what the zookeeper will say to the next animal?  (Ex.: _______, Giraffe! Can you find the banana in the picture?  (There is a banana in each picture which the mouse is dragging around.  There is also a balloon which, after the first picture, keeps traveling off into the distance until it is almost too small to see on the last page.)

After Reading
Use your child's favorite stuffed animals, dolls, toys, etc.  Say "Good night, dog," "Good night, teddy." Put each in a wagon or basket, then have the child pull them out and say "Goodnight ________" for each one.  Read another book about zoo animals.   Use black paper and draw 9 sets of eyes with white chalk in various places.  Then help the child retell the story using the black paper with the eyes saying Good night, gorilla, good night, lion, etc.   Plan a trip and visit a real zoo!  Talk about the animals you see that you read about in the book. Go back through the book and count the number of animals that follow the zookeeper home. Pick a favorite animal from the book and look for it in different places - on tv, in other books or magazines, on food packages, etc.   Repeat the reading of the book at another time (or other times) and let your child tell you what the zookeeper says each time.  If your child needs help, you can let him/her fill in the blank as you say:  "Good night, _______!" or "____________, Gorilla!"                                        

Summary of Book
Little Toot is a tugboat that doesn't really like to work.  He enjoys playing instead of working.  One day, a terrible storm comes in and an ocean liner gets stuck in some rocks.  Little Toot finally gets the courage to go out into the ocean and pull the liner back in.        

Before Reading
Take a quick look at the pictures in the book without reading the words.  Talk about a tugboat and what its job is.

During Reading
As you read the book, take opportunities to talk with your child about what is happening and to ask questions.  Talk about new words that may be encountered in this book (masthead, smokestack, wharf, voyage, deeds, antics, frivolous, nuisance, harbor, crest, etc.)

After Reading
Talk to your child about any books that s/he can think of that remind theme of this book.  (One book that has a similar them is The Little Engine That Could.)

With your child cut out boats of different sizes from thick paper such as cardboard or cereal boxes.  Color each item and recreate the Courage scene.                                

Summary of Book
Mr. Wishy Washy washes all his dishes, pots and pans very well.  However, when he washes the cat by mistake, he creates a big mess!    

Before Reading
Ask questions that will assist the child in using what s/he already knows, this will help them understand and enjoy the book better.   What do we do after we've finished eating a meal?  Talk about clearing the table, washing the dishes, putting the dishes away, etc.  Talk about washing the dishes in the sink and washing them in a dishwasher.   Talk about cats.  What noises do they make?  What do they like?  What don't they like?            

During Reading
As you read the book, ask your child questions about what is happening.  For example:

• What does Mr. Wishy Washy need to wash the dishes (soap, water, brush, draining board, etc.)?
• How does the cat feel when it gets washed? 
• How does Mr. Wishy Washy feel?
• Why do you think Mr. Wishy Washy likes to wash dishes?
• Do you like to wash dishes?
• How do you think the cat felt when it fell into the water?
• Encourage your child to join in the "dishy-washy" parts.  

After Reading
Reread the story and look on each page to see what the cat is doing.  Think of the noises the cat might be making on each page.

Talk about household chores.  Are there some chores that your child helps with?  Think of rhymes to go along with these chores (e.g. "foldy-woldy," "wipey-swipey").  Act out and/or draw some of these activities.   Have some plastic dishes.  Pour water into a bowl and add dish detergent.  Make bubbles and help them practice washing the dishes.  Talk about the color, size and shape of the dishes, and how their hands feel in the water.

Summary of Book
This delightful book is about Mrs. Wishy Washy and her saucy barnyard friends who love to jump, roll and paddle in the mud.  Along comes Mrs. Wishy Washy and what do you think she does?  Wishy washy, wishy washy!  When she finishes her job, away they all go back to the lovely mud!  Oh, no!   

Before Reading
Practice making animal sounds together (cow goes moo, pig goes oink, etc.). Talk about what we do when we get muddy or dirty (take a bath, take a shower, hose off, etc.).  

Look at the picture on the cover.  Ask the child what s/he thinks this book is about.  

During Reading
As you read about each animal, encourage your child to make the sounds that were practiced before you began reading.

Have your child echo the sounds as Mrs. Wishy Washy puts each animal in the tub:  wishy washy, wishy washy.  

After Reading
Water play with soapy water in the sink or bathtub.  Wash each other's dirt away! Take blocks and try to build a stack as big as the stack of plates that Mr. Wishy Washy washes.  See how high you can go before they all fall down.  Think about rhyming words.  Dish and wish.  What else rhymes with this?  Can you think of other words that go together as a rhyme? Re-enact the book.  Pretend you and your child are the first cow, pig, and duck, and that you like to jump into the mud and roll around.  You can roll around on the floor, pretending it is mud.  You can be Mrs. Wishy-Washy and say just look at you!  In the tub you go!  Have your child pretend to jump in the tub and pretend to scrub.  Then say "That's better"  The cow, pig, and duck run away and jump in the mud again. With a piece of brown, pink, and white construction paper, make puppets to tell the story again.  Help your child with scissors to cut a brown mud puddle shape, a pink pig shape, and a white duck and cow shape.  Use these characters to model a re-enactment of the story.                                                                                                       

Summary of Book
Tomie DePaola has put together a wonderful collection of poetry from a variety of renowned poets and authors.  Children will love the illustrations, which include pictures of children of all races at home and at play. This is a great beginning poetry book that you are your child will want to open up again and again!       

Before Reading
Pick 2-3 poems to read at a time.   Depending on the title, ask your child questions about the pictures that go with the poem and about the topic of the poem. What? Where? How? Who? When? Why? Try to connect what you are reading with experiences your child has had!                  

During Reading
Ask your child questions about the pictures on the page of the poem you are reading.

Play "I Spy" with the page.   If there is a repetitive part in the poem, ask your child to recite it with you!      

After Reading
Act out the poem.   Re-read the poem and leave a word out at the end of a line. See if your child can fill in the blank.   Ask your child to draw his/her own illustration of one of the poems.