A Picture Perfect Childhood: Enhancing Your Child's Imagination and Education in 15 Minutes a Day

by Cay Gibson

No matter how busy you are, no matter how short on time you are, no matter how dirty your house is, no matter how stressed you are...you have time to read, travel, study, talk, dance, paint, write, sing, and wonder each day with your child. All you have to do is stop time. That's right! Stop time...with your child and a picture book...for just 15-minutes a day. Cay Gibson does for reading what Rachael Ray does for cooking. She makes it a joyful feast for everyone. Gibson believes that picture books make an excellent catalyst for transporting children into areas of study they would not normally be interested in. "A Picture Perfect Childhood" is a tempting photo album of picture books that can be used to enhance the child's imagination, comprehension, and desire for learning.as well as the adult's.and it only takes 15-minutes a day.

Genres: Books About Books, Education, Parenting

255 pages, Paperback

First published January 10, 2008

Reviews

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading-aloud enthusiasts, moms, teachers, and librarians will love Cay's journey of discovery as she gained a love and appreciation of what picture books could do for her and her family. She then discovered story hours at the library, appreciating how librarians modeled better ways to read aloud.

She shares other people's journeys as well, infusing all with quotes and anecdotes. She has become a hub for getting the word out about what can be done with just 15 minutes of reading aloud every day.

She provides many recommendations for using books with children from pre-school age thru teen years. Study units, cooking, traveling, favorite authors and illustrators, and so forth.

I posted a sample on one of my blogs -- http://www.projectpercy.blogspot.com/

[Carmen yuen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was captivated by Cay's nuggets right from the start. I read and re-read the poem "A Book" by Edgar Guest, one of the first literary works she reproduced, and had my kids read the poem too!

Loads of suggestions on the ocean of kids stories to read, and lots of quotes that are profound, but meaningful.

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The booklists provided in this book are wonderful. I like how the author has provided suggestions for using picture books as educational tools. There are seasonal lists, historical lists, and books that will take you around the world.

[Laina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fabulous guide to thoughtful and beautiful picture books for all seasons and all occasions! Absolutely indispensable!

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great resource.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no idea if this book is still in print. I am picking mine off the shelf as I will do every now and again. This I would press into every book loving mama’s and papa’s hand. It is a book of lists of picture books to be read for every season of the year and every occasion. It has lists you can use as monthly curriculum or seasonal enrichment. And there are essays about books, the love of reading and literature, the rabbit holes we follow in our reading and so much more. If you can find this book then get yourself a copy and enjoy.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so bummed I didn't read this book sooner. It's wonderful! There's only a short part at the beginning that builds the case for why reading picture books (even to teenagers) is important. Cay does a great job of this and really motivates you to read at least 15 minutes a day to your kids. Then the magic begins. She gives so many great lists of picture books. She has lists for every month of the year, lists for teenagers, lists for countries and states, lists for cooking, and much more. I have read many of the picture books she lists and loved them, which gives me confidence that I'd like the rest of the picture books too. Overall, a great reference book that should be in every home and library.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

12/10 Yahoo! Our little local library finally found this one for me, in another state no less. I enjoyed this one so much, I bought two copies: one for me and another for our local library. They are so good to us. This book contains lists of many books to read.

Some of the booklists you'll find:
List for Teenaged Readers and Reluctant Readers
Children's Hour (A Twelve Month Historical Timeline along with supplementary reading in subjects like science, art, music and language arts)
Teaching Virtues Through Books
Spanning the Globe
Let's Get Cooking with Literature (Picture Books about Cooking and Recipes)
Take Me Out to the Ballgame
Black History Month
Gardening Treasures
Immigration Booklist
Pioneers and Westward Movement
World War II
Christmas Booklist

[Spinneretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book well worth it for any homeschooler to get. It is really a series of booklists and tips for using picture books. The lists are arranged by different subjects, and are quite extensive. I guarantee you'll have your library card full of holds from it :)

[Gabriele]

gonna have to find this one at the library or maybe Amazon - Thanks Laina!!!