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.

National Chocolate Day is Today!

Break out the chocolate and whip up a cake, make chocolate chip cookies or brownies that will leave you and your family smiling because it's National Chocolate Day!

Get in the "bittersweet" spirit by getting in a chocolaty mood by reading one of these chocolate inspired stories, coloring a coloring sheet or learning more about this creamy and oh-so-delicious holiday!


Fiction 
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Ronald Dahl

The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling

Non-Fiction 
Chocolate by Hershey: A Story About Milton S. Hershey by Betty Burford
The Story of Chocolate by Caryn J. Polin

Color a super-sweet coloring page dedicated to this day at Lil-Fingers.com (Scroll down page to view July 7th National Chocolate Day) 
http://www.lil-fingers.com/coloring/specialdays.php

Learn a little more about National Chocolate Day at this HolidayInsights.com page 
http://holidayinsights.com/other/chocolateday.htm

Get a deeper insight into everything chocolate by stopping by the National Confectioner's Association Chocolate Council site: http://www.thestoryofchocolate.com/ to learn what ingredients make this yummy treat, the many types of chocolate, and even where it comes from! A marvelously fact-filled site for the chocolate connoisseur in you!

Go on a chocolate factory tour! See the following website for some of the top chocolate factory tours in the U.S.: http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/28/5-best-chocolate-factory-tours-around-the-u-s/

How Puzzling?: Puzzles and Reading are the Perfect Fit! African Dream by Alan Hicks Produced by Suns Out Puzzle Company

Some may find it rather puzzling that I am quite the puzzle aficionado. There is something special about opening up a puzzle knowing that the thousands of uneven, oddly-shaped pieces create a marvelous work of art which uses both the process of elimination and creativity to assemble.

The puzzle I recently completed happens to be quite appropriate for this book-based blog. It is titled African Dream and exhibits the ingenious artwork of Alan Hicks. I feel there is nothing more beautiful than the scene depicted within this puzzle.

The tenderness of a mother and child reading never fails to pull at my heart strings. The beautiful backdrop of an African fairytale theme absolutely took my breath away with its resilience and fantastical aura.

African fairytales will excite children of all ages with their use of imagery and wordplay. Below you will find some wonderful African fairytales that your children may enjoy.

Anansai Does the Impossible! : An Ashanti Tale by Verna Aardema
Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears : A West African Tale by Verna Aardema
Pretty Salma : A Little Red Riding Hood Story from Africa by Niki Daly
Mabela the Clever Retold by Margaret Read MacDonald

The Bathroom Chronicles: Potty Training Resources for Busy Parents

June is National Potty Training Awareness Month. In order to signify the importance of potty training for both toddlers and preschooler I have written the post below. 


Potty training is a major milestone in a child's life. It is associated with greater self-care independence and acknowledgement of ones physical needs. While many parents find potty training more challenging then other developmental milestones, please understand that children are not being difficult if they do not wish to use the toilet at a particular time.


Many times children fear the unknown (even) when it comes down to something we perceive as simple as using the toilet on ones own. Other times, children diets can cause constipation and they associate pain with using the potty. In this case, a change in your child's diet may resolve this issue. Another cause of bathroom issues may be that your child is too preoccupied with a fascinating activity, such as playing with a favorite toy, and may ignore the urge to use the restroom. 


Some of the steps you can use to make potty training easier are simple songs which help children realize the necessities of using the restroom, potty training DVDs with cuddly cartoon characters or children that help establish the normalcy of going potty, creating potty training sticker charts as a form of positive reinforcement each time they successfully complete their potty training, and simple books that can be read numerous times to establish the routine. 


The following are wonderful resources that make potty training easier for both parents and children: 


Websites
http://www.pull-ups.com/na/activities.aspx?phase=0
Items in this section include an iGo Potty App for your iPhone, a wet or dry game, and a personality quiz which cues you in on you child’s potty training style. 

http://www.pull-ups.com/na/article_viewall.aspx?phase=4

These pertinent and informative articles with topics such as overnight toilet training, make potty training a breeze. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsHultPr-wA

Parents TV host Juli Auclair and guests discuss innovative bathroom tips and gadgets which help your child achieve potty training success. 

Parent's Resources
Stress-free Potty Training : A Common Sense Guide to Finding the Right Approach For Your Child by Sara Au 
The Playskool Guide to Potty Training : the Best Strategies, Essential Information, and Practical Advice For Your Toddler's Potty Success by Karen Deerwester 
Potty Training Girls the Easy Way: A Stress-free Guide to Helping Your Daughter Learn Quickly by Caroline Fertlemann 
Potty Training Boys the Easy Way : Helping Your Son Learn Quickly -- Even If He's a Late Starter by Caroline Fertlemann 

DVDs

Go Potty Go! Potty Training for Tiny Toddlers. Produced by Mazzarella Media 

Potty Adventures Potty Training in Easy to Follow Steps for Boys and Girls Produced by Soaring Star Productions  
Sesame Street Elmo’s Potty Time 

Books

My Potty and I: A friend in Need by The Bernstains

Your New Potty by Joanna Cole 

P.J. and the Puppy by Cathryn Falwell 

No More Diapers for Ducky by Bernadette G. Ford 

Once Upon a Potty by Alona Frankel (Boys and Girls editions available)

Potty by Mylo Freeman 

The Princess and the Potty by Wendy Cheyette Lewison 

Sam’s Potty by Barbo Lindgren 

Uh Oh! Gotta Go: Potty Tales From Toddlers by Bob McGrath 

On Your Potty by Virginia Miller 

Going to the Potty by Fred Rogers 

Dinosaur vs. the Potty by Bob Shea 

Potty Time by Guido Van Genechten