It's November again, which means time for Kansas Reads to Preschoolers!
The title for 2021 is “Grumpy Bird,” by Jeremy Tankard. This picture book story will appeal to young readers, with a focus on the 2-5 years old age group.
This is a great opportunity to incorporate the 6 by 6: Ready to Read early literacy skills designed to be applicable and approachable for everyone. The 6 by 6 program focuses on six pre-reading skills by age six to help kids get ready for formal education. Here are some suggestions on how you can incorporate these 6 by 6 skills with “Grumpy Bird.”
Have Fun with Books
- Have them repeat phrases in the book like “he was grumpy, he was too grumpy” and “I’m walking”
- They can create a book about a feeling, instead of Grumpy Bird, it could be Happy Bird, Sad Bird, Mad Bird, Joyful Bird or even Happy ME, Sad ME, etc. and what he is doing with friends
Look for Letters Everywhere
- Make a letter collage for the letter B, using magazine pictures
- Make a shape collage
Notice Print All Around You
- Make paper plate faces and cut them into puzzle pieces and have them match faces/emotions
- Look for signs that make you happy, sad, etc.
Take Time to Rhyme
- Talk about rhyming words such as “day” and “play”
- Sing songs about walking, playing, following the leader
Talk, Talk, Talk
- Feelings and Emotions dough mats, look at picture, then use play dough to make face of how they feel
- Talk about how bird feels when his friends join him on the walk, then how he feels at the end of the book
Tell Stories About Everything
- Sequencing—talk about the order of the animals who joined him
- Retell the story, but instead of grumpy bird, pick another animal and who could join him
You’ll have a great time reading this book aloud while also helping your preschooler develop important early literacy skills. Place your hold on “Grumpy Bird” today and join others across Kansas reading to their preschoolers. For more information and additional resources, visit the State Library of Kansas website.
Kansas Reads to Preschoolers is an annual event that promotes reading to all Kansas children from birth through age five. Through the statewide program, parents, librarians and caregivers are encouraged to read the chosen title during a selected month. The program is sponsored by the State Library of Kansas, and the title is selected by State Librarian Eric Norris, along with the Kansas Reads to Preschoolers committee.