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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Snack and Story Time: HEY BRUCE! and Bear Paw Cookies

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Hey Bruce! Picture Book and Snack 
by Mindy Baker

Hey Bruce! written and illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins is a humorous interactive picture book
that is truly special. As explained in the front flap, an interactive books means the reader will make things happen inside the book. Kids will love tapping Bruce to wake him up, rocking the books to get him back to sleep, playing a melody on the piano keys…and many more creative interactions along the way. The mice in the story narrate and tell you, “the reader,” what to do.

My favorite part is when the mice tell the reader they can see up his nose. I also loved Bruce’s
bunny pajamas and when Bruce rode his unicycle on a tight rope over the mud. This is the perfect book for some light-hearted fun.

Read: Hey Bruce! written and illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins

Discuss:

1. Who wakes you up? Do you use an alarm clock or wake up on your own?
2. Is it easy for you to wake up? Why or why not?
3. Have you ever had to wake anyone who was sleeping? How did you do it?
4. What was your favorite part of this book?

Do:

Fun Snack Ideas for the book Hey Bruce! (Or any bear-themed book)

Idea #1

Teddy Grahams are an easy snack for any bear-themed book. Have a bowl of Teddy Grahams while you read this story.


Idea #2

Make your favorite peanut butter cookie recipe. I love the traditional peanut butter blossoms by Betty Crocker that I make every year at Christmas. Or purchase a Betty Crocker Peanut Butter Cookie mix. When you roll the balls, press down with a fork. Then flip upside down so that the side with the ridges does not show. Bake according to the recipe directions.

Once baked, use a Hershey’s chocolate kiss. Trim off the top so that it is a flatter piece of chocolate, and turn upside down as you place it into the cookie. Add three upside down chocolate chips to create paw prints. Delicious and so cute!

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