Dear Readers,
Happy Thanksgiving to all. God bless you, too.
Parents, have you read any books to your child on the First
Thanksgiving. Is your child capable of drawing this family holiday? You can help.
The names of the foods you ate today are appropriate vocabulary for your child to learn.
Have you taught your child the meaning of grateful? Does he/she tell you what he/she is grateful for on this day? Do you tell them?
I am grateful for my wife, my parents, my brother, my nieces,
my aunt, all my friends--family, classmates and my teacher friends. I am blessed. My aunts, my uncles, my cousins--we are all close and are there for each other. I am also grateful
for the deep love my wife and I share with each other, for fairly good health, for peace in the world. We thank God everyday for our's and the families' well-being.
On this particular day, you can brainstorm with your child, the following words: family, Thanksgiving, grateful, friendship, celebrate and maize.
And after you find the wishbone from the turkey, explain to your child what it is, and what you do with it. Break it with your child.
You can make fond memories with your children or grandchildren,not only during the holidays, but each day of the year.
I shall review two picture books next week.
Keep reading to your child. Go to the library with your child.
God bless.
Sincerely,
Ravenous Reader (a.k.a. Frankie )
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Italian Potpourri
Dear Readers,
My wife, Anna and I have just returned from an incredible two week Perillo tour of Italy. If you decide to take a trip to Italy, go with Perillo. Everything is done for you-plane reservations, hotels, breakfasts and dinners, sightseeing, bus tours, and you have a bus driver and tour guide accompany you during the whole trip.
In two weeks, we covered the following cities: Milan, Capri, Venice, Sorrento, Pisa, Naples, Florence, Pompeii, Rome and Lake Lugano in Switzerland. We saw the beautiful Alps in the distance. Even though it rained 12 out of 14 days, we did everything. Do not let weather mess up your plans.
"What does all this have to do with Reading for my child?" you may ask. Does your child know or want to know about Italy? Does he know the sights to see in the different cities? Have him go to the library and get a picture book on each city. He will be fascinated from what he reads.
"Where does one take a gondola ride? Who is the gondolier? In what city is the Leaning Tower? Why does it lean? How is glass-blowing done in the factories of Florence? How did the city of Pompeii become ruined? Why is the bronze door in the Vatican opened every 25 years? What does it mean if you throw a coin over your left shoulder in the Fountain of Trevi in Rome? What did Michelangelo paint
and what statues did he sculpt?" What is a gelato? Where can you buy it? What is a water taxi?
Picture books bring all these questions to life. "Read, read, read," is my motto.
When your child reads about Italy, he will learn some interesting vocabulary:
Mt. Vesuvius, Tiber River, gondola, tower, Vatican, fountain, sculpt, tour, vacation, weather, directions, euro, gelato, arrivederci, pronto, pregho, entrata, uscita, il toilette, buona sera, aqua minerale. These are some of the Italian words I used while in Italy. Is your child taking Italian or another language in school?
Do you encourage your child to read? Do you take him to the supermarket and have him read the labels on Cereal boxes and soup cans? What else can you have him read? Do you read in front of your child? Do you have children's books in your home?
Reading affects everyday living. You know, as I do, that if your child can't read,
he will not be able to fill out job applications, bank deposit slips, address an envelope, read books and magazines, read street signs, read the newspaper, do math, science, history.
Next week, I will list some picture books on vacation.
Arrivederci,
Sincerely,
Ravenous Reader (a.k.a. Frankie)
My wife, Anna and I have just returned from an incredible two week Perillo tour of Italy. If you decide to take a trip to Italy, go with Perillo. Everything is done for you-plane reservations, hotels, breakfasts and dinners, sightseeing, bus tours, and you have a bus driver and tour guide accompany you during the whole trip.
In two weeks, we covered the following cities: Milan, Capri, Venice, Sorrento, Pisa, Naples, Florence, Pompeii, Rome and Lake Lugano in Switzerland. We saw the beautiful Alps in the distance. Even though it rained 12 out of 14 days, we did everything. Do not let weather mess up your plans.
"What does all this have to do with Reading for my child?" you may ask. Does your child know or want to know about Italy? Does he know the sights to see in the different cities? Have him go to the library and get a picture book on each city. He will be fascinated from what he reads.
"Where does one take a gondola ride? Who is the gondolier? In what city is the Leaning Tower? Why does it lean? How is glass-blowing done in the factories of Florence? How did the city of Pompeii become ruined? Why is the bronze door in the Vatican opened every 25 years? What does it mean if you throw a coin over your left shoulder in the Fountain of Trevi in Rome? What did Michelangelo paint
and what statues did he sculpt?" What is a gelato? Where can you buy it? What is a water taxi?
Picture books bring all these questions to life. "Read, read, read," is my motto.
When your child reads about Italy, he will learn some interesting vocabulary:
Mt. Vesuvius, Tiber River, gondola, tower, Vatican, fountain, sculpt, tour, vacation, weather, directions, euro, gelato, arrivederci, pronto, pregho, entrata, uscita, il toilette, buona sera, aqua minerale. These are some of the Italian words I used while in Italy. Is your child taking Italian or another language in school?
Do you encourage your child to read? Do you take him to the supermarket and have him read the labels on Cereal boxes and soup cans? What else can you have him read? Do you read in front of your child? Do you have children's books in your home?
Reading affects everyday living. You know, as I do, that if your child can't read,
he will not be able to fill out job applications, bank deposit slips, address an envelope, read books and magazines, read street signs, read the newspaper, do math, science, history.
Next week, I will list some picture books on vacation.
Arrivederci,
Sincerely,
Ravenous Reader (a.k.a. Frankie)
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
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)
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)
Sunday, October 11, 2009
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
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)
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)
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
What real moms can do. What real dads can do.
Dear Readers,
Last Sunday, my wife, Anna, and I, participated in a truly beautiful and blessed event. Our cousins, Maryann and Christopher, had their precious, little baby boy,
Gianni, christened at St. Theresa's Church, in Pelham Bay. The Algien, the Conte and the Buonaiuto families united to witness this happy occasion.
The reception took place at Villa Barone, in Pelham Bay. Anna and I had the opportunity to hold Gianni. In church, and at the reception, he was quiet. The music did not wake him up. The food was exceptional. Anna and I danced several dances.
Where does the name Gianni come from? Do you know? It comes from the Greek,
meaning "God is good." Maryann and Christopher were blessed by God with a
beautiful son, Gianni.
I can't believe our cousin, Maryann, is a Mommy. I baptized her, and I have seen her grow into a beautiful, young woman.
Now let's write about what Maryann and Christopher can do. Both can feed Gianni, diaper him, change him, dress him, rock him to sleep, play with him, sing to him, among other things.
In the books, What Moms Can't Do, and What Dads Can't Do, we have several examples. Moms can't wait to wake up their kids in the morning, can never pick out the right clothes, can't have purple marshmallows for breakfast, can't run very fast, can't say good-bye to their children on the first day of school, can't watch scary movies by themselves and can't let go of a hug without a kiss. Dads can't cross the street without holding hands, dads get found at hide and seek, but they have a hard time finding you, they seem to have trouble holding on to their money and they can't eat just one piece of chocolate cake.
These Moms and Dads are not regular people, like Maryann and Christopher. They are creatures, and I can't tell you what creatures.
Both Moms and Dads can do one special thing. These creatures can...... Read the books to find out. Both books are written by Douglas Wood.
I am certain that Maryann and Christopher will be able to do everything for Gianni, and even more, as he grows up.
God bless.
Sincerely,
Ravenous Reader (a. k. a. Frankie)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Last Sunday, my wife, Anna, and I, participated in a truly beautiful and blessed event. Our cousins, Maryann and Christopher, had their precious, little baby boy,
Gianni, christened at St. Theresa's Church, in Pelham Bay. The Algien, the Conte and the Buonaiuto families united to witness this happy occasion.
The reception took place at Villa Barone, in Pelham Bay. Anna and I had the opportunity to hold Gianni. In church, and at the reception, he was quiet. The music did not wake him up. The food was exceptional. Anna and I danced several dances.
Where does the name Gianni come from? Do you know? It comes from the Greek,
meaning "God is good." Maryann and Christopher were blessed by God with a
beautiful son, Gianni.
I can't believe our cousin, Maryann, is a Mommy. I baptized her, and I have seen her grow into a beautiful, young woman.
Now let's write about what Maryann and Christopher can do. Both can feed Gianni, diaper him, change him, dress him, rock him to sleep, play with him, sing to him, among other things.
In the books, What Moms Can't Do, and What Dads Can't Do, we have several examples. Moms can't wait to wake up their kids in the morning, can never pick out the right clothes, can't have purple marshmallows for breakfast, can't run very fast, can't say good-bye to their children on the first day of school, can't watch scary movies by themselves and can't let go of a hug without a kiss. Dads can't cross the street without holding hands, dads get found at hide and seek, but they have a hard time finding you, they seem to have trouble holding on to their money and they can't eat just one piece of chocolate cake.
These Moms and Dads are not regular people, like Maryann and Christopher. They are creatures, and I can't tell you what creatures.
Both Moms and Dads can do one special thing. These creatures can...... Read the books to find out. Both books are written by Douglas Wood.
I am certain that Maryann and Christopher will be able to do everything for Gianni, and even more, as he grows up.
God bless.
Sincerely,
Ravenous Reader (a. k. a. Frankie)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Dear Readers,
My wife, Anna and I just returned from a beautiful and wonderful event: The Christening of our
cousins, Maryann and Christopher's, baby boy, Gianni. Before the priest baptized him, the families had a chance to make the sign of the cross on Gianni's forehead. We snapped many photographs. We congratulated Gianni's parents and Godparents, Madalene and Mike, and then,
we went to a reception in honor of Gianni's Christening.
Did you know that the name Gianni comes from the Greek language, meaning "God is Good?"
Gianni, in English, is Johnny or John. I prefer the original name.
Gianni is truly blessed because he has family and friends who love him and vow to take care of him. I'm very touched.
Now, Maryann and Christopher have many responsibilities which they can do: feed Gianni,
diaper him, bathe him, put him to sleep, bring him to the doctor for a checkup, rock him in a rocking chair. These are only some, which brings me to the books, WHAT MOMS CAN'T DO and WHAT DADS CAN'T DO. Moms can't wait to wake up kids in the morning. Moms can't pick out the right clothes. Moms can't run fast.
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