A Hello, Goodbye Story Time for the New Year and Beyond

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  Today I’d like to share a book about goodbyes and hellos, endings and beginnings.  Goodbye, Friend! Hello, Friend!  by Cori Doerrfeld is primarily about a friendship, which begins with a “hello” and continues through lots of experiences, including a sad “goodbye.” But it’s also about enjoying different, sometimes new experiences while they last. I found this story very relatable, as my inner child read it thinking of all of the hellos and goodbyes from my own childhood as a military brat.  Continue reading for more about this book and some story time ideas to pair with this charming story. Plus some more books featuring hellos and goodbyes!
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Summer Challenge Week Three: Amazing Animals!

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Who doesn't love a good animal story? This week's Summer Challenge theme is Amazing Animals! This week, we encourage you to read some books about animals, both fiction and nonfiction, then get out and enjoy some animal antics together with friends or family. 

Recommended reads:

Crossings: Extraordinary Structures for Extraordinary Animals by Katy S. Duffield, illustrated by Mike Orodan. This book is both moving and educational, a testament to what humans can accomplish when they have a common purpose and caring hearts. 

Honey: The Dog Who Saved Abraham Lincoln by Shari Swanson, illustrated by Chuck Groenink. A charming story about Abraham Lincoln as a child and his real life hero dog.

After Dark: Poems about Nocturnal Animals by David L. Harrison, illustrated by Stephanie Laberis. This book of poems is creative and educational and is pleasant to read. The illustrations are lovely too!

This Way, Charlie by Caron Levis, illustrated by Charles Santoso. A truly charming and moving story inspired by a real life animal friendship. 

Ideas for things to discuss:

  • Talk about the story. Is it fiction or nonfiction? Realistic or fantastical?
  • What kind of animals do you find most amazing?
  • What kinds of animals make good pets? What might make the worst pet?
  • How can you help make the world a better place for animals? How can you start in your own back yard?
  • Did you learn something new about an animal in the book you read?
Ideas for things to do:
  • Head to the zoo!
  • Go on a neighborhood safari. Take pictures or keep a list of the animals you see.
  • Donate to an animal shelter.
  • Hang a bird feeder in your yard. Here are some DIY bird feeders kids can make on their own from LetGrow. 
  • Have an animal-themed movie night. 
  • Create some animal-inspired art, like this torn paper animal art collage from EduArt 4 Kids.
How will you celebrate Amazing Animals this week? Do you or your kids have any favorite animal books? Let us know in the comments or share on social media with #RDDSummerChallenge.

 

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