learning made fun :: #NationalLibraryWeek

Halfway through National Library Week and I’m excited to share the books I have lined up for you today. While most children’s books are really only interesting to children I have to admit that reading any of the books from the series that the next two selections come from is always as interesting for me as it for the kids. Each of the titles in this series start with a letter and than “is for…” which makes it hard to pin down a series name, but as soon as you read the titles you’ll pick up on the theme.

Before I share what I loved individually about each of these books I had to share what are similarities that you can expect to find in this series. As you would expect from an ‘alphabet book’ each of these stories will take you through the alphabet with a corresponding themed item related to each letter. Each item/letter also has an expository sidebar text that helps give older children (or their parents) more info.

S is for Sleeping Bear Dunes: A National Lakeshore Alphabet :: being a Michigan native I am well aware of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore but I will easily admit that even I learned quite a bit from reading this book. Reading all the fun and interesting tidbits included in this book from Kathy-jo Wargin and viewing the beautiful illustrations from Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen it should come as no surprise that in 2011 Good Morning America named the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore the “Most Beautiful Place in America.” A great way to learn more about one of our treasured National Lakeshores! Ages 6-10; 32 Pages

T is for Time :: lately we have been learning about various time-related items in our math and science studies and I have to say that this book is wonderfully timed for my family. I love how co-authors Marie and Roland Smith teamed up with illustrator Renée Graef to make learning many different aspects time interesting to young readers as they cover everything from Albert Einstein to the Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C. As a parent/teacher I appreciate how this book helps to make learning concepts such as the International Date Line and the Zulu time system fun and engaging for kids. Ages 8-11; 40 Pages

I hope you enjoy these fun and engaging Sleeping Bear Press books that help little ones learn as much as my family has!