Explore Poetry with SINCE THE BABY CAME by Kathleen Long Bostrom

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  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
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Beat the Winter Blues with Julie Falatko's THE GREAT INDOORS

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by Marci Whitehurst 

Is anyone else longing for spring? By the end of January, I’m ready for sunny spring days and green grass. Since I live in a place with long winters, it is usually a few months after this before we are outside doing yard work again.

Kids can play in winter weather, but if the temperatures are really low, they’re fighting colds, or
they’re just tired of putting on all their winter weather gear, it’s time for indoor fun.

READ: Julie Falatko’s book The Great Indoors, illustrated by Ruth Chan, is a silly book sure to help bust boredom! In this role reversal story, the forest animals come and camp out in a family’s house! While I’m sure it isn’t the family’s idea of indoor fun, the zany illustrations coupled with the animals doing what humans do, are sure to bring some laughs and inspire creative ideas. Once you’ve read the story, it’s time for fun inside activities of your own!

DISCUSS:
  • What animals live near you? What are their natural behaviors?
  • If you could be an animal, which animal would you be?
  • If you have a pet, what would your pet be like if they acted like a human?
DO: Here are 8 activities to consider for indoor fun. Which ones do you notice in the book?
  1. Cooking/Baking. Kids love to make things and with a little help, you will have a special snack. Even dipping strawberries in melted chocolate counts!
  2. Have a picnic inside. Spread a blanket down on the floor. Put a potted plant or flowers nearby to feel like you’re outside. Enjoy a picnic lunch!
  3. Host a concert. Kids love to sing. Grab a stool or wood crate for a stage and let them perform.
  4. Indoor bubbles. Bubbles may be messy, but if kids put on swimsuits and blow bubbles in the shower (water need not be on), the bubble solution will wash away when finished!
  5. Make your own puzzle. Using card stock, draw a picture together. Then cut it into kid-friendly pieces. Voila! A puzzle.
  6. Have a parade! Put on your craziest outfit or use dress up clothes and march down the hall—or to the neighbors if you’re in an apartment building. Offer candy, pencils, etc. to anyone watching.
  7. Dance Party! Turn on some tunes and boogie! I’m not a great dancer, but my kids didn’t care—they just liked to dance.
  8. Obstacle course: put some things on the floor—a broom, a box, a laundry basket—and have kids make their way around the obstacles. Consider added challenges such as crab walking or hopping! This can even be done with toy cars—like a race course.
Winter won’t last forever, but until spring comes, make the most of being stuck "in the great indoors"!

For more silly animal fun, check out:

Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing by Judi Barrett, illustrated by Ron Barrett

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems

Tabitha and Fritz Trade Places by Katie Frawley, illustrated by Laurie Stransfield

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