A Special Day
These titles, help children understand what might make a day an unusual day.
By Piper Johnson
Piper Johnson’s book introduces Katy and her friends, who have an unusual day in the clouds, undertaking all sorts of enjoyable activities.
By Judith Viorst
In Judith Viorst’s story, Alexander has an unusual day when things don’t go well for him. He even thinks about going to Australia. At the end of the story, he learns that some days are just like that.
By Once Upon a Dance
Here, we meet Danika, who loves dancing. She has an unusual day because as she goes about her daily activities, she is also performing. I especially love the picture of Danika using her vacuum cleaner to help her maintain balance.
Sky and Space
Feb. 29 was added to the calendar to keep it synchronized with the Earth’s orbit around the sun. Leap years occur every four years, except in unusual cases. (This rule doesn’t apply in years that are divisible by 100, unless they are also divisible by 400.) Below are some “stellar” reads to explore.
By Penelope Arthur
Penelope Arthur’s beautifully illustrated adventure shows that each month unveils a new full moon, accompanied by its unique name and a charming tale.
By Tish Rabe
The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library offers a nonfiction picture book series that introduces beginning readers to important basic concepts. This particular book by Tish Rabe teaches about the solar system, planets, the constellations, and astronauts. Fascinating!
By Nancy Guettier
Julian dreams he is the ringleader of the constellations. Nancy Guettier’s book is a great excuse to teach children to study the sky.
Health
Rare Disease Day, held on the last day of February, is intended to bring widespread recognition to rare diseases and to challenge us to overcome them. It is a perfect day to introduce young readers to three excellent health books.
By Jean Pidgeon
Jean Pidgeon’s book actually has a pop-up animal’s mouth on every page and a movable tooth brush on each page as well. I love the page where you can floss the shark’s teeth. In such an enjoyable way, the book stresses how to brush every nook and cranny in your mouth.
By Mother Moon
Mother Moon teaches children how to manage anxiety by deep breathing. It also shows a child handling grief in a very positive way.
By Margaret Wise Brown
Sleep plays an essential role in children’s development. A calming book read at bedtime gives the child something to anticipate and cues the brain that it is time to doze off. In Margaret Wise Brown’s classic, we meet a little rabbit that says good night to all the familiar objects that it sees. As this book is read aloud, the child is lulled to sleep. (Perhaps, the reader also.)
Purely for Fun
No article on this topic would be complete without a mention of one more enjoyable book.
By G. Nyla Phillips
Nyla Phillips’s book has knock-knock jokes, tongue twisters based on leap year themes, and an assortment of wholesome, funny jokes. Children will enjoy themselves while thinking about words in new combinations.
