One of the Best Non-fiction Social Studies Series for Preschoolers: Welcome Books by Lloyd G. Douglas

Social studies in preschool is a particularly sticky topic. Too much info, your little cutie-pies eyes glaze over, too little and an attack of ants in the pants settles in. Thankfully, during this patriotic Fourth of July week I was able to find an awesome series for preschoolers.

Welcome Books authored by Lloyd G. Douglas gives straightforward, simple facts which need little explanation for even the youngest of students. The photographs are large and stunning. Each volume offers an index and definitions of the bold words in the book. My favorites in the series include those on the American flag, Liberty Bell and the Statue of Liberty. Check out these small wonders at your local library for an extra special touch to your next civic-minded lesson plan.

In Need of Preschooler Friendly Books?: Check out Tiger Tales Books

Head on over to my Early Childhood Education blog Glitter and Glue sticks Forever to view a post devoted to the perfectly preschooler publisher: Tiger Tales Books whose stories are easily identifiable by their wholesome messages and cute-as-a-button illustration.

http://glitterandgluesticksforever.blogspot.com/2013/05/perfectly-preschool-book-publishers-eye.html

It's A Smallman World After All: Review of The Monkey with a Bright Blue Bottom by Steve Smallman

The Monkey With a Bright Blue Bottom by Steve Smallman
Publication Date: 2009

Smallman "paints" a splendiferous and zany picture of a primate with a passion for the arts in the outrageously bananas tale: The Monkey with a Bright Blue Bottom.

In this bubbly yarn, a monkey yearns for the rainbow colors of the birds aflight in the crystal clear blue sky. As he peruses a bevy of his ho-hum, so-so and decidedly blah-hued jungle counterparts he stumbles across a palette full of brightly colored hues and goes ape in no time flat.

With the flick of the wrist of this monkey Monet, zebras are dressed divine with black lines, a giraffe becomes quite "square" as his yellow skin is given a checkerboard air, but this little artiste is sure to find that some animals may not find their new coats as sublime.

Be sure to read on to learn that there's no if ands or "butts" about it:  this cheeky little monkey will surely pay his dues.

 Children will enjoy reading this lively and dramatic story that will lead to much laughter and a good dose of monkeying around.

Check Out My Newest Blog: Glitter and Gluesticks Forever!

I love getting crafty with glitter and glue sticks (and so do my preschool students)!

If you enjoy learning about early childhood education, are a preschool teacher or ece student, mom or just about anyone, why don't you click on the following link to see a blog developed to profile my teaching techniques, lesson plans and much more relating to Early Childhood Education?

Recent blog posts you may enjoy include:

Sea stars and Seahorses: Ideas for an Under the Sea or Below the Sea Unit (Circletime Ideas)

What's New? New Preschool Teaching Tips From a Newbie

Spring To It: Check Out This Springtime Jam and Other Creative Learning Activities


Check out this link to view Glitter and Gluesticks Forever (Go ahead click on it, you know you'll like it!)

http://glitterandgluesticksforever.blogspot.com/

Totally Tiaras: Princess Stories for Preschoolers

Being a child of the 80's, the whole pretty princess obsession is quite beyond me. I was raised in a time where She-Ra was the princess every girl wanted to be. She was strong-willed, vivacious and always ruled every show. The most girly of cartoons included the adorable Strawberry Shortcake and the lovely ponies of My Little Pony who frolicked in magical meadows.

Princesses were not really on our radar. Disney created the massive phenomenon with their princess-themed movies including favorites such as The Little Mermaid, Tangled, and The Princess and the Frog and their countless toys, straight-to-video DVDs, books, puzzles, and clothing lines.

I can definitely understand how a preschooler can get swept away by the romantic, simplistic and slightly contrived storylines of princesses whose only worries include looking pretty, going to balls and finding the perfect prince to marry. Everything in those stories end happily and are comforting to young children in a world that is ever changing.

Personally, the only royalty I feel I would enjoy being is a queen. Girls, queens have power. They rule nations, make rules, and build their countries fortunes through exploration and discovery.

 They are strong, independent and free-thinking. Yes, they have worries and many a sleepless night, but in the end they accomplished something during their day.

But enough of my anti-princess rant. Long live the princess and all that she encompasses to little girls everywhere: feminine beauty, innocence, love, and  a carefree spirit.

Below you will find some sparkling titles which don't require kissing a frog or losing a glass slipper.

Sofia the First by Catherine Hapka
Publication Date: 2013

Sofia is feeling rather ill-at-ease over becoming a princess after her stunning mother marries a prince. She tries in every way possible to be as perfect as her true royal step-sister Amber.

She studies up to the last minute learning steps for the latest ball, yet she feels majorly tiara-challenged in everything she tries to accomplish.

Just as she thinks her unpolished princess skills will be her downfall her step-sister Amber lends her a pair of shoes for the ball.

Have Amber and Sofia become royally grand step-sisters or will this courtly friendship fizzle before she steps on the ballroom floor?

Little girls will rejoice when a particular princess rock star waltzes into the picture in this pleasingly palace-perfect tale which will whisk them away into a stupendous fairy tale.

Will Princess Isabel Ever Say Please? by Steve Metzger
Publication Date: 2012

Steve Metzger's quirky and outrageous sense of humor and unique spin on classic fairy tales comes to life with a moral message: In order to be polite and win a prince's heart, you must unequivocally, say the magic word: please!

Princess Isabel is quite the looker with a major league attitude problem. Her looks may enchant the princes but her atrocious manners will repulse them from her wiles on any given day.

The story uniquely tangles a mish-mash of fairy tales such as Cinderella, Snow White and The Frog Prince to weave one flamboyant and hilariously regal gem of a yarn!

Hold on to your tiaras girls and get ready for one massively majestic romp!



Princess Pigtoria and the Pea by Pamela Duncan Edwards
Publication Date: 2010

In this takeoff of Hans Christian Anderson's Princess and the Pea, Pamela Duncan Edwards entices readers to enter the world of porcine Princess Pigtoria: the pleasantly pleasing princess whose castle is a pig-sty. In order to rehab her dilapidated palace, Pigtoria answers a personal ad from a swine-worthy prince.

Will this sow win the heart of this handsome porker or will a pesky pea get in the way of their blossoming romance?  Read this darling fractured fairy tale to find out!

Spring Fling!: Animal Stories that Invite Springtime Wonder

Spring is a time of rebirth and a breath of fresh air from the winter doldrums. Armies of candy-hued blossoms stretch as far as the eye can see, glorious warm sunshine-infused days begin to dot our weather forecasts and dreams of long strolls and perfect picnics are a welcome occurrence.

Spring also means pale pastels and the increase of dazzling electric shades such as the increasingly popular cobalt blue and rich greens which are some of the seasons hottest shades to don.

On the book front seasoned authors and young ingenues celebrate the joys of spring in several tales that will put a spring in your step, a perky bunny hop, and will definitely be something to peep about to your students, parents and juvenile readers from here to Timbuktu.

Chickens

Chicks Run Wild by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
Published: 2011

These chicks embrace the splendor of childhood in this rollicking story about a mother hen whose "feathers get ruffled" by her rambuncious, spirited baby chicks zany bedtime antics. After numerous attempts to get her little fowl to sleep soundly in their beds, Mama hen unexpectedly joins her golden-feathered crew in a bedtime scheme to tire her chirpy brood. Will her plan help her rule the roost or will these chicks clucking antics get the best out of this frustrated fowl?

Bunnies

Scuba Bunnies by Christine Loomis
Published: 2004

Never underestimate the power of scuba goggles and fins to entrance some bodacious bunnies winsome  fantasies. Their imaginations hop off the page as they pretend to  scuba dive into the depths of the azure oceans to view enormous whales, schools of florescent fish and reams of other majestic marine life that will leave preschoolers ready to create their own seaworthy adventure. Stunning ocean-tastic images depicting the beasts of the deep invite inquiry and countless conversations for parent and child interaction.

Ducks

Lucky Ducklings by Eva Moore
Published: 2013

Being a Long Island native, this story drew me in faster than a Coney Island hot dog or a piece of New York-style cheesecake. Mix in some darling ducklings, heroic firefighters (sigh....) and a loving mother duck and you had me hooked from page one of this quackingly refreshing true story of a 2000 Long Island duck rescue. By adding Nancy Carpenter's, glossy, old school illustrations, the story was given a tender touch which engages knee-high readers to adults with its vintage charm. This story is definitely one good egg that will crack those with even the hardest shells.