Occasions

Dear Readers,

Halloween is in a few days, and I am asking you to take your child in his/her Halloween costume, and have him/her select a picture book on this day. You can read the book to him. Does he know how Halloween came about? How was this tradition started? Reading about it will give the holiday more meaning to him.
He can then write about his trick or treating in a notebook, and he can keep a journal for writing about future experiences. Of course, this is aimed at the older child.

Anniversaries are an important part of life. My wife, Anna, and I renewed our 25th anniversary wedding vows at a special Mass on Sunday. After Mass, we celebrated this beautiful occasion with a hot lunch provided by O.L.A. WE had our family with us. At the end of the lunch, Monsignor O'Dwyer handed us a beautiful 25th anniversary certificate. WE felt special and very blessed that day.

Again, go to the library with your child. Get a book on anniversaries. Also, show him /her your wedding album. Explain the importance of anniversaries. These are family occasions. Other occasions are Baptisms, birthdays, Penance, Communion, Confirmation, and some day your little one will be married(weddings). There are picture books on all these topics. Ask the librarian.

I'm reminding you that families are important. Share your values with your children. Talk about them. Get books on them, and read them to your children. YOU are models for your children. Have them write in their journal about the things they do with you do as a family.

Your child will make many friends. Some will last through high school, and others will last through college. Still others will last a lifetime. I have a friend whom I went to college with, and we are still friends(40 years now.) I have another friend, who is like part of the family. She knew me since birth. We're still very good friends. My wife and I have such wonderful friends from my teaching days. We're friends now for almost 30 years.

There are many picture books about friendship in the library. Take your child there, and read, read, read.

The Fall is a good time of year to watch the changing of the leaves. There's a lot of color out there. Your child can draw, or write, about this special season.

My wife, Anna, and I will be going to Italy to celebrate our 25th.
When we return, I'll share some of our adventures with you. In the meantime, see if you can get some picture books on Italy for your little one.

Have a great week. God bless.

Sincerely,

Ravenous Reader (a. k. a. Frankie)

Children's books as t.v. programs

Dear Readers,

I'm about to doze off, and two more children's t.v. shows come to mind:

CURIOUS GEORGE

DORA THE EXPLORER


Goodnight. God bless.

Sincerely,

Ravenous Reader (a.k.a.) Frankie

Classic Fairy Tales

Dear Readers,

Below is a partial listing of books your child should have in his/her collection:

Bambi
Cinderella
Pinocchio
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
The Three Little Pigs
Aladdin
The Night Before Christmas
The Ugly Duckling
Sleeping Beauty
Little Red Riding Hood
Jack and the Beanstalk

These books are a joy to read, and they will make your child keep on reading.


Tomorrow is Columbus Day. Have your child read about his travels. Do you know the names of his three ships? Ask your child.


The following are two books I recommend for your child:

Title: I'm Gonna Like Me
Author: Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
Publisher: Joanna Cotler Books( Harper Collins)
Age Range: 4-8
Summary:

I'm Gonna Like Me is written in rhyme. It has huge, colorful illustrations.
It's about a boy and a girl with a lot of self-esteem.

The ending is as follows:

"I'm gonna like me. I already do. But enough about me--- HOW

ABOUT YOU?"


I selected, as the second book,

Title: FANCY NANCY
Author: Jane O'Connor
Publisher: Harper Collins
Age Range: 4-7
Summary:

FANCY NANCY is a girl who likes to use fancy or big
words, such as fuchsia for purple, plume for feather, stupendous for great, tiara, accessories, chauffeur for driver,
parfait and dressing gown for bathrobe.

In the end, she says, "I love you" to her parents because she feels there is no fancy way to express that.

A lot goes on each page. The illustrations are big and beautiful, or should I say, "grandiose." Not more than 2 or 3 lines cover the page.

I'M GONNA LIKE ME and FANCY NANCY are two books worth reading.


I not only read children's picture books, but I also watch children's programming. Have your young children watch CLIFFORD, THE BIG, RED DOG, DRAGON TALES,
MAYA AND MIGUEL, BABAR THE ELEPHANT, B.G., and my favorite, MARVIN, THE TAP-DANCING HORSE. These are all educational shows to watch.

Remember, today's password is: Read.

Enjoy Columbus Day, tomorrow. Name those ships.
God bless.

Sincerely,
Ravenous Reader (a.k.a.Frankie)