'Do You Want to Play with my Balls?' Crude kids' books for Literacy Month?

September, National Literacy Month celebrates reading, particularly to children says the Fort Bend Herald on September 15. But there's a trend in children's literature to cater to the lowest common denominator: adult humor. It began when Adam Mansbach published"Go the F to Sleep" and then "You Have to F*cking Eat." Now the latest is "Do You Want to Play with My Balls?" by the Cifaldi Brothers. This ostensibly-child's story features gratuitous references to male genitalia, cloaked as puns. It's supposed to be for adults, but juxtaposed with cartoon pictures of children, it borders on pedophaelic pornography. How appropriate are crude kids books for anyone to read, let alone kids?'Do You Want to Play with my Balls?' Crude kids' books for Literacy Month?

 

Harry the Dirty Dog Game, Craft, Snack, Printables

Are your kids going winter stir-crazy? Too cold to play outside long. Snow too deep for little one. Well, you need a craft afternoon. I learned as a teacher/homeschool mom to make lesson plans hands-on. So my craft parties include an interactive story and snack and lots of free printable book-based activities.
One of my husband's favorite children's literature characters is Harry the Dog, created by Gene Zion and drawn by Margaret Bloy Graham. My mom described a yarn bush she made for the birds and it reminded me of Harry. Here are activities based on "No Roses for Harry."   No Roses for Harry Recycled Yarn Craft, Snack, Printables

Book Crafts, Printables, Snacks, Games, Activities from Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?

2014 is going to down as the Winter of Infamy. But don't worry, parents of bored kids, teacher-mama has more children's literature activities. Hands-on lesson plans with story, game, craft and snack. Today's is on "Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?" and appropriately for this arctic season-- "Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?" Both of these wonderful stories come courtesy of Bill Martin and Eric Carle. My oldest could read this entire books at three, thanks to the repetitive verse. Book Activities from Brown Bear, Brown Bear

'Stone Soup Lesson Plans for Thanksgiving

When I was in kindergarten we did a Thanksgiving activity that has stuck with me all my life. We made Friendship Soup, also called 'Stone Soup' (taken from the old legend retold by Marcia Brown). Perfect for school, scouts, home school and church groups, making Friendship Soup or Stone Soup shows what wonderful things can happen when people share.  Friendship Soup and Stone Soup Classroom Lesson Plan Activities for Thanksgiving

Preschool Disney Story Party, Rainy Day Reading Fun

The older kids are back to school and now you have bored, lonely preschoolers. Why not take an afternoon break and throw and impromtu book party? Engage little ones with cheap, literature-based games, crafts, food! Use Disney stories for a fall fun. Printables included. Preschool Disney Story Party, with Fun Snacks

Free Printable Kevin Henkes Activities

Kevin Henkes writes adorable childrens stories: "Kitten's Full Moon", "Lilly's Plastic Purse", "Owen", "Wemberly Worried" and more. My personal favorite it "Shelia Rae, The Brave" about a bombastic older sister who finds that a little sister can be a big help when courage fails. Here are free printable crafts, lessons, activities and coloring pages from Kevin Henkes books. Read on

Free printable lesson Plans from The Mysteries of Harris Burdic by Chris VanAllsburg

Inspire and Enthrall Students with The Mysteries of Harris Burdick
Want to go on an adventure with a book like none other? Run, don't walk to the library to get The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris VanAllsburg (The Polar Express, Jumanji)! It reminds me of an M.C. Escher image in real life. This is the very best thing VanAllsburg has ever done and that's saying a lot! I introduced Harris Burdick to students in 1986--they were agog and couldn't put it down. We got some very inventive stories from those images. View more »