Pre/K Story Time Books (10.1.13)

This week it was all about celebrating our differences while finding common ground.

Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great
story and illustrations by Bob Shea
I think that Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great is pretty great, and so did the kids. The language is very contemporary and conversational, and the pictures support it beautifully. Goat is a little jealous of and competitive with Unicorn (and his popularity with the other creatures) until Uncicorn points out all of the drawbacks to being a unicorn and all of the great things about being a goat. A funny tale with a satisfying ending. This would be good not only for a 4-6-year-old audience but for kids all the way up through 3rd grade.

Oddrey

story and illustrations by Dave Whamond
I'm not quite sure what to say about this one. I love the messages about being yourself and about retaining your individuality even when it's not easy to do so, but I'm not sure about the audience for this book. I had to stop and define more than one word and idiom, which disrupts the flow of the story, so for that reason I'd recommend it to a slightly older audience (maybe first or second grade). But the simplicity of the story and the bright and lively illustrations are appealing to the pre-K and kindergarten set.

Our activity was an individuality wheel. We divided a paper plate into sections and asked each child what makes him/her unique (name, favorite food, favorite color, something s/he is good at, etc.) and then looked for ways that we are each unique and ways that some of us are alike. Then the children decorated each "wedge" of the wheel with markers and sequins.

If you have children between the ages of 4 and 6, please join us next Tuesday. There is no charge, and registration is not required, but tickets will be given out starting at 1:30. The program is limited to 18 children, ages 4-6.