Go, Dogs. Go!

T loves animals and things that move, so Go, Dogs. Go! by PD Eastman is a perfect fit! T is reading the board book version, and I have the regular book in my first grade classroom. This is sometimes the first book a kindergarten or first grader can read independently-so of course I love it! Thinking of them beaming with pride brings a smile to my face as T turns each page. It is a simple book with fun illustrations that is a must have for every preK-primary classroom. It is also a wonderful gift for toddlers.

After we read it together.....

he decided to read it himself!

This video is his post reading jam! Notice his reference to the bicycle, from Go, Dog. Go! He was listening to a little Michael Jackson and well, just being T! 

Eric Litwin and James Dean

"1, 2, 3, weeeeeee" started our evening with Mr. Eric (Eric Litwin) and James Dean at Little Shop of Stories in Decatur. I would guess over a hundred folks came to rock out with the author and illustrator as they debut their latest hit, Rocking in My School Shoes. (Side note-I paid about $18 at the premier, and I love to support local bookstores-but for those of you not in the Atlanta area-and that is the only reason not to go buy this at a bookstore-Amazon has it for less than $12.)

The book is perfect for kids 2 and up! I am reading it with T and will certainly share it with my firsties during back to school. It will be a perfect, fun read aloud to calm the nerves of the back to school season. The illustrations are comforting and pleasing to the eye, sure to keep the audience in tune with the story. I love this book!

 

We danced and clapped and sang until we just couldn't take it anymore! Mr. Eric read his new book to us and the crowd loved it!  While Mr. Eric read and sang, Mr. Dean painted a Pete the Cat masterpiece right before our eyes! I was totally amazed! As T became less interested (remember he is 2 1/2,) he took a book break with my friend Mrs. S. 

T said, "I like Pete the rockstar!" and then he struck a rockstar pose! I love this kid! 

This was my first trip to Little Shop of Stories, but I will absolutely be going back! The employees were gracious hosts and served beer, root beer, and goldfish. How fab is that? It was a mommy's dream! The books are displayed deliciously on the walls and shelves, with artsy designs inviting readers to open the book and ReAd! I literally am counting the days until the Decatur Book Festival! (but that is for another post!)

Check out Little Shop of Stories, you will not be disappointed! http://www.littleshopofstories.com/  Plan to have lunch at one of the super cute eateries close by. Yum! 

Mr. Eric performs at our school each year (see Pete post) and is always a hit. For more about him, the books, and even a  few awesome videos, go to http://www.ericlitwin.com/.

In the words of Pete the Cat, enjoy your weekend, after all-it's all good! 

Mittens, the Kitten

As many of you know, T LOVES cats. He loves my mom's cats. He loves shows about cats. He loves books about cats and, well, he sometimes believes that he is a cat. He meows, drinks milk from a bowl and purrs. It is cute. It may require intense therapy later, but for now-adorable!

T and I read a kitten book by Lola Schaefer today. She lives in North Georgia and has relatives at my school (see the lovely autograph below.) I love her books and T and I are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our copy of Just One Bite! her latest treasure.

As T and I read, he quickly transferred into kitten mode. We didn't actually finish the book because "kitten is hungry, mow, mow." :)

          

          

Follow Me, Mittens is an "I Can Read" making it perfect for K and 1st grade classroom libraries. It includes positional words, color words, and repeated phrases. It is also FANTASTIC for getting to know a character, as there are several in the easy read series. Another plus of the book is the opportunity to discuss quotation marks and what they mean with our earliest readers. I love this series, and its cousin-the Biscuit series.