Value Bookshop’s Reading Notes

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Is your child a fan of Dora the Explorer? Well, transfer some of that excitement to this book. Here we are looking for Boots (the monkey). He wears red boots. So, on every page, you have to look for something red. When you find it, open the flap to see if it is Boots. Look out for swiper, he is always luring somewhere. You know what to say, “Swiper no swiping, Swiper no swiping!” (My children’s favorite chant.)
You can use this book to support your children’s learning of colors. Out of all the colors on the page, see if your child can identify the correct one. Each page also shows a different place e.g. garden, forest, playground etc…. Ask your child if she were to hide, where would she hide. Maybe you could even follow-up with a game of hide-and-seek!

Currently 1 copy available at my children’s bookshop - RM19.95
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My little girl was very brave as she sat on the dentist chair, waiting to get her teeth pulled. She was scared no doubt, but she didn’t give me any problems. I believe that our past readings on books related to teeth and dentist helped a lot. So, here are 2 books that are currently available at my children’s bookshop:

Title: Dad, Are You the Tooth Fairy?
ISBN: 0439667453
There comes a time in a child’s life when they start questioning the reality of magical wonders such as Santa Claus. In this case, it is the tooth fairy. Do they really exist? Gaby goes straight to his dad to find out the answer. Dad doesn’t lie and admits that it is actually him. But he also goes on to tell how the magic of the toothfairy is also very much alive. Personally, I love this version of the toothfairy. Some parents may be appalled by the idea of telling their child that she really doesn’t exist. You may want to keep that magic alive. If that is your plan, then I do not recommend this book.
The reason why I like this book is because I’m okay telling my children that “hey, yes it is me.” This is because they eventually KNOW that it is YOU. For example, my son still thinks Santa Claus is real but my daughter is absolutely sure “it’s dad!” This book allows you to admit that you do play the part of Tooth Fairy, but it also gives room for the magic to stay alive.

Title: Harry and the Dinosaurs say ‘Raahh!’
ISBN: 1862333904
All the dinosaurs go into hiding as they are all afraid to visit the dentist, especially Tyrannosaurus because he’s got so many teeth. But with a little bit of coaxing from Harry, they eventually make it to the dentist’s chair. With a press of a magic button, Tyrannosaurus grows big and frightens the dentist with his large ‘Raahh’. Seeing how frighten the dentist are of them, Harry and the rest of the dinosaurs lose their own fear. The dentists gives them good news by telling them there will be no drills as they are all good brushers. In the end, they have a little too much fun riding up and down on the chair and rinsing. Wonderful way to start a discussion about visiting the dentist. Also an encouragement to get children brushing their teeth properly.

What is this book about:
Tired baby is cranky and crying away. So everyone joins in to kiss baby to sleep. Counting down from 10-1, read the many different kisses given by mom, dad, grandma, sister and even the two household pets. Although a simple story, but it can serve many purposes:

* Learn to count
* Learn the different body parts e.g. toes, feet, knees, belly button etc….
* Increase vocabulary with adjectives such as dimpled chin, yummy knees, little ears, wriggly feet etc….
* Goodnight book to calm baby to sleep
* Great bonding moment as you swamp your baby with the many kisses

I love Karen Katz books. They are just perfect for reading to little ones. Not only are the illustrations attention grabbing but it promotes that warm, fuzzy feeling between you and your child when reading.
If you’ve read this book to your child before, please share your experience and let me know what you think of it.

ONLY ONE COPY OF COUNTING KISSES IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT MY BOOKSHOP: RM18.00

I haven’t thought about this book in a while until my daughter reminded me about it. We were talking about the upcoming Moon Cake Festival and she asked if this book was still around or already sold. To her delight, I said it is still with us. I’m surprised that she remembers it. It’s been a long time since I read it to her. So, what does that tell ya? It’s an unforgettable book I guess

The story is not about how the Moon Cake Festival came to be. But rather, a peek into a grandmother’s memory.

Here is what the story is about:
A grandmother (Ying-ying) has three grandchildren griping about being bored stucked indoors because of rain. One wished the rain would stop, another wished they could get wet and another wished they had something to do. She decides to tell them about a time when she told the Moon Lady about her secret wish. She was seven years old at that time and the family was celebrating the Moon Cake Festival. As the day progressed, she had put it in her mind several wishes she could make to the Moon Lady. She wished she didn’t have to wear the “hot” clothes her mother had made for that special day, she wished she could eat a rabbit moon cake by herself without having to share with her cousins, she wished to fly like a dragonfly and she also wished to be carefree like the boy on the raft next to her boat. During the course of the celebration, Ying-ying gets separated from her family. The only wish she has then is to be found. The story is very captivating with colourful descriptions that capture time and culture.

This book is memorable in many ways. First would be the beautiful and colorful illustrations that help the reader visualize and feel the excitement of the story.

Second would be the rich vocabulary that exemplifies the emotions and thoughts of the child so wonderfully. I’m sure my daughter could connect with Ying-ying’s feelings of boredom and “I-don’t-want-to-share” attitude.

The way we celebrate the Moon Cake Festival is different than what is related in the story. You could probably do a quick activity with your child listing down differences/similarities of how we celebrate it these days compared to Grandma Ying-ying’s days. Another followup discussion topic would be “what to do if your child got lost”.

As of today, The Moon Lady is available at Value Bookshop for RM20.00.
This book is suitable for fluent readers and for kids who can sit still for more than 10 minutes
If you have read this book, please share what you think of it.

One of my favourite lines I use that my own children have picked up is “Am I talking to do wall?” I’m sure you know the frustration of having your children NOT listen to what you’re saying.

Teaching our children good listening skills is important because for them to excel in learning, they must first listen. Today’s culture with the distraction of television, computers and video games only makes things worse as it shortens their attention span. So what can we do to help our children listen better?

1. Give specific instructions on how to listen.
- Look at the person talking.
- Stop squirming. Keep still.
- Focus on what is being said.
- Try to understand and remember the message. Ask if you don’t understand.
- Can you repeat what was said?

2. Be a good model yourself.
- Some kids like to talk a lot. Take my son for instance. He talks all the time. So much so I sometimes tune him out. That, is of course not being a good example. If possible, try to stop what you are doing and look at your child at their level when they talk to you. Give them your attention.

3. Play listening games like Simon Says or Do What I Say and Not What I Do. How about memory games? I remember playing a game that goes like this “There is a ship going to Madagascar (or any other country) and it is carrying 2 chickens.” The next person repeats that and adds another item e.g. “There is a ship going to Madagascar and it is carrying 2 chickens and 9 umbrellas.” The game goes on and on with items being added.

4. Read to your children.
- Don’t let television, computers and video games be your children’s main form of entertainment. As you read to your children, you can check for understanding by asking relevant questions pertaining to the story. Sometimes, children will add their comments as you read. When they do that, you know they are listening.

Recommended Book:
Listen Buddy

Our review:
Do you seem to always be frustratingly saying to your children “Are you listening to me?” Then this book is perfect for you. Buddy has beautiful ears but don’t seem to use them very well. When asked to bring a pen, he brings a hen. When asked to buy fifteen tomatoes, he buys fifty potatoes. One day his lack of listening skills get him into trouble and he is almost made into bunnyrabbit soup. From then on, he decides to really listen to what his parents say. Children will love Buddy’s hilarious antics and parents will love the message that goes with the story: Ears are for hearing but listening is a decision. And when children decide to listen to their parents, they usually stay out of trouble.

Available at Value Bookshop.
Price: RM17.20

D is turning 4 this year and I’ve started more formal lessons with him. When it comes to math, the first step is always to teach them to count to ten (at least). However, being able to verbalize the numbers don’t mean they understand what the numbers stand for. Meaning, do they know the number 5 equates to the quantity 5. So, you may draw three objects and ask them how many and they will not know even if they can rattle off the numbers.
So at this stage, D already knows the relationship between numbers and quantity. We also worked on writing the numbers 1-9. Now that he can write the numbers, he can use workbooks. Currently, we are using this workbook:Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley (2002 Edition)

We are on the first chapter which is “Numbers to 12 and Graphing.” So far we have finished lessons like:
1. Count and write how many
2. Draw a certain number of objects
3. Which is more, which is fewer
4. Number sequencing e.g. 4,5,__

Why I like this workbook:
1. It is colourful and full of pictures
2. Don’t have to think what math concepts to teach. Just follow the chapters in the book.
3. Many suggestions on what parents can do to reinforce the learning such as games and activities.

Another math workbook which is very similar is Silver Burdett Ginn Mathematics (The path to math success). I’m using this one with my older girl K.

As of today, I still have one copy available at my bookshop going for RM35.
Click on the image of the book to go to the product page at Value Bookshop.