Explore Poetry with SINCE THE BABY CAME by Kathleen Long Bostrom

  We are excited to have guest post by Kathleen Long Bostrom, author of Since the Baby Came: A Sibling’s Learning-to-Love Story in 16 Poems , talking about the process of writing the book and sharing some ideas for discussing and poetry writing! Read : Since the Baby Came: A Sibling’s Learning-to-Love Story in 16 Poems by Kathleen Long Bostrom, illustrated by Janet Samuel I love poetry and rhyme, and always have. I grew up with a mother who often recited poetry and I learned to read with Dr. Seuss books. It’s no wonder I turned to poetry when I began writing picture books for children.  At a children’s book conference one day about 12 years ago, I asked my friend, an editor for an educational publishing house, “What are the areas in early education where more good books are needed?”  Without hesitation, she replied, “Poetry.”  Many of my published books were written in poetry, but what could I write that was unique? Aha! I thought. What if I wrote a story using a variety of styles of

Snack and Story: Trail of Fruit Rings



By Mindy Baker

 

Need something fun to brighten up your day? Try this book that is a unique combination of graphic novel-like artwork in black and white combined and blended with bursts of vibrant color artwork. The story is set up as a journal that chronicles an alien’s (the unicorn) 100 days on Earth in the home of a little girl and her family. In the end he recommends that more of his kind come to Earth for a vacation!

 

READ: Invasion of the Unicorns by David Biedrzycki

 

While you read the story, snack on some "fruit rings" cereal. Save some for a fun activity after reading and discussing the book!

 

DISCUSS: 

  • What do you think unicorns might eat?
  • Can you think of a food/fruit for every color of the rainbow?
  • In the story, the unicorn keeps a journal. What would you write in a journal about today?

DO: Trail of Fruit Rings Activity

 

Version One:

All players close their eyes and count to twenty while one player hides. The player who hides is pretending to be a unicorn. He must leave a trail of fruit rings for the other players to follow so they can find him.

 

Version Two:

Take turns hiding a unicorn stuffed animal or figurine and leave a trail of fruit loops to follow to help the other players “find” the unicorn.   

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