Suzy Davies's Blog: Book News - Posts Tagged "fun"

In these days of The Internet, sometimes the value of good books can be overlooked, and in particular, the ways in which Children's Fiction can provide a stimulus for learning activities.
Very soon, it will be time for kids to Read Across America, and to observe this celebration, we can introduce our children to Children's Books which will entertain, educate, and inspire them.
Children could have fun with "Snugs The Snow Bear," mapping where Polar Bears' habitat is in the world, and doing projects on Climate Change, Green Issues, and Global Warming.
There may be kids who like Astronomy, and they could study books about the sky, and stars named after bears! Snugs has even adopted his own Northern Star, donated by The Pale Blue Dot Project!
It is interesting for kids to find links to what they have read, across the curriculum, in Science and Geography.
Little artists, who enjoy painting and drawing, may enjoy creating images of the characters of their own, who they meet in my story.
Children who like sewing and crafts could make finger puppets of the characters, and stage their own piece of theatre or even make origami versions of the animal characters!
Those who are interested in Culture, Social Studies, and History, may be entertained by mythological stories from indigenous peoples about polar bears.
Whatever you decide to do, make it a fun and enjoyable activity!
These activities would be ideal for homeschoolers or for classroom activities.

People often remark that my new Children's Book, "Snugs The Snow Bear," is aimed at a wide audience - children aged from 4 up to 10 years old. However, each child is unique, not all children develop at the same pace, and, of course, younger children will be read to, rather than reading a book on their own.

What are the benefits to your child, when you read a book to them out loud?

*Children have fun with the sound of words, and make a connection between the image of the word on the page, and what it sounds like. My book has repeat word patterns, to facilitate recognition of "social sight words," so that they become familiar to the child. I make no apologies for introducing some unusual words, to help a child build new vocabulary. Children learn that they do not need to understand each and every word to get the overall meaning, and gist of the story.

*Many parents read stories to kids at bedtime, to help them sleep. Each chapter of "Snugs The Snow Bear" ends on a happy note, so the book may be read a chapter at a time, with the child feeling happy and relaxed. Books do not always have to be read just at bedtime. Why not read to your children at a regular time during the day, to help cultivate a routine, that makes your child feel secure, with a good reading habit?

*Reading together, pointing at the pictures to elicit meaning, and understanding, first of all, before reading the story to the child, helps cognitive development. The child is sure to be engaged with the colorful, animated characters, and have fun "guessing" who "Snugs" and his menagerie of animal friends are! This works particularly well for younger children, and can spark a conversation, and beneficial interaction, when you share with your child.

*It is well known that reading helps to stimulate a child's imagination. Reading also helps a child know what is real, and what is "just a story," or make-believe!

*Children's Literature can be read on many different levels of meaning, so that an older child, say from 7 to 10, would understand subtle inferences from what he/she read alone. It is good to encourage older siblings to read to their younger brothers and sisters to help them along, and make reading a family time activity.

*When you have read a book to your child, encourage follow-up activities that link the book to different subject areas such as Geography, Science, Art, Drama, Languages, and Music. Each child has different interests and strengths, so play to these to engage your child, and get the most out of my book!

*My book series, "The Snugs Series," will help your child grow with Snugs. Ideas and words that are introduced in story Book One, will be repeated in later books, from time to time, to help your child understand, and remember, the story and the message. New ideas will be introduced at a gradual pace, which helps absorption of new ideas and vocabulary, alongside what is already familiar. Reading to your child aloud creates an association between reading, social activity, and pleasure, which will instill confidence, and encourage your child to share what he/she has read with peers.Your child will develop a love of reading, which will last a lifetime, not only giving your child enjoyment, fun, and entertainment, but knowledge and education, too!

Off us two went, beneath the trees,
that crackled and snappled
in Autumn’s crisp breeze,
our wellies slish-sloshing through the pelting rain,
plip-plopping, plip-plopping
again and again.

The thunder it rumbled,
and the wind it blew
but on and on,
the adventurers, two,
rustled through leaves
till we came to a tree,
and the treasure it threw -
just for you, and for me.

Dark red-brown shiners
were there to be gathered,
the bigger the better -
that’s all that mattered!
We took them in armfuls,
filled carrier bags,
then we strung them on strings -
“Oh, what fun we had!”

Crashing and bashing,
we let the strings fly,
around our knuckles,
and up, to the sky!
Knocked them together,
till they spun around,
in a smackety wallop -
one fell to the ground!
One of the shiners
was all split into two,
twas tough on the outside,
but inside, all goo!

The champion, victorious,
announced that she won
and I was defeated, but still, it was fun!
Conkers, all bonkers,
Oh, what a game!
And when next year comes
we will do it, again.

Copyright, Suzy Davies, All Rights Reserved. 21/10/2017

Tune in to U.K Talk Radio - Jonathan Hines approx 11.45 a.m -12.15 G.M.T United Kingdom Time, on Friday 8th December or on Sunday 10th December (times are estimated) to hear Jonathan Hines chat to me about Luna The Moon Pig - my new Children's Book illustrated by Sheila Graber of Paddington Bear fame.

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Sheila Graber, famed for her work with Paddington Bear and I have been collaborating on a new children's book, "Luna The Moon Pig, The Pig Who Hid!"

And now our book is available on Amazon Worldwide today.......

Luna is here!

When there's snow on the ground,
Snugs gets out of bed,
and goes with the moose on a ride on a sled,
Grandad and grannie watch as they go,
slippedy sliding away in the snow.

When there's snow on the ground,
and the evening is here,
the lighthouse's lit up,
to bring them good cheer.
The moose they are snoring - so loud and so deep!
But Snugs is so glad because it's Christmas Eve!

5-stars for "Celebrate The Seasons" by Suzy Davies and Laurie Shanholtzer

This is a 'STUNNING' poetry book in so many ways. The beautiful words of the poetry took me back to so many memories as a child. Going fishing with my dad and spending time at the beach. Even the poems about Christmas time flooded back very fond memories. What brings this book together are the unbelievable illustrations throughout. They really are incredible! The detail and the warmth of the illustrations combined with the poetry are brilliant. Loved it!