Fearlessly Funny Stories
Ever been to the town of Mozzarella? You have if you’ve been to a live production of THE GREAT PIZZA CONTEST show or read the popular kids book by yours truly. It’s the cheesy tale of two feuding pizza makers, Vincent Van Dough and Leonardo Da Munchi. Vincent thinks the dough is the most important [...]
Yesterday, Kenny and I were guest readers at Pine Jog Elementary School. It was a blast! We visit lots of elementary schools, but we’re usually on a stage in the cafetorium (love those cafetoriums) doing one of storytheater shows or our test-taking show. Shows are fun, but it’s also good to get up close and [...]
I was going through my bookshelves today and came across an autographed copy of GOOD BOOKS, GOOD TIMES with poems selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins. I forgot how much I enjoy the poems in this little gem. It’s was the perfect inspiration for me as I begin prepping for a Book SmARTS and Crafts workshop [...]
This holiday season I’m grateful for books that make me laugh out loud! Wendy Silvano’s hilarious picture book TURKEY TROUBLE does just that. I picked it up off a library shelf this summer just before I went “on stage” to perform a Summer Reading Program show, and I could not stop giggling (not quite sure [...]
Zombie Tag is a great game for Halloween or any time you need to bring a little life (or death) to a party. It’s also a great team-building game because the group has to work together to tag the other players. Make it a Book SmARTS activity and Read: A Zombie’s Guide to the Human [...]
Kids (and adults!) will love HOW THEY CROAKED: THE AWFUL ENDS OF THE AWFULLY FAMOUS. What a great way to learn about historical figures. Who knew that Beethoven died of lead poisoning? The book really isn’t quite as morbid as it sounds. Author Georgia Bragg keeps the tone light, upbeat and funny (but still respectful). [...]
Storyologist Kits At the beginning of December, I received a voice mail from my niece, Eliana in Wisconsin. She said, “Aunt Riley, I just wanted to tell you that I want to be a Storyologist when I grow up.” Needless to say, I was thrilled! She then went on to tell me a story [...]
Featured Creative Literacy Activity: Clothespin Alligator Read the book, then do the craft! Monsieur Gator decides to cook up some gumbo just like his Maman used to make. But who will help him boil, catch, sprinkle, and chop? Certainly not rude Mademoiselle Possum, ornery Monsieur Otter, or sassy Madame Skunk. But when the [...]
Featured Creative Literacy Activity: Batty for Books! Fruit Bat Craft Before you do this craft with kids, read Bats at the Library, Bats at the Beach, and/or Bats at the Ballgame by Brian Lies! Materials One Sock -Light brown craft foam or felt -Small googly eyes -Three brown or black pipe [...]
FEATURED CREATIVE LITERACY ACTIVITY: Bean There, Done That Here are two fun creative literacy activities to go along with The Lima Bean Monster by Dan Yaccarino. Sammy hates lima beans despite the fact that he has never eaten a single one in his entire life. When he decides to bury them in a [...]
FEATURED ARTICLE: Preventing the SUMMER SLIDE What is the “Summer Slide?” A new theme park attraction? The latest dance craze? A tasty umbrella drink? Unfortunately, no. The Summer Slide is synonymous with Summer Learning Loss, a phenomenon that has serious repercussions for many kids. A study from Johns Hopkins University found that about two-thirds [...]
The Churkendoose: READER’S THEATER SCRIPT One of my favorite children’s books is a little known story from the1940′s called The Churkendoose by Ben Ross Berenberg. My grandmother read it to my mother when she was little and my mother read it to me. It’s a wonderful story about being yourself. The Churkendoose is a creature that’s [...]
