Have you read a good movie lately?

When you think about books that have been made into movies, lately two books come to mind:  Harry Potter and Twilight.  But did you know there's so many more great movies out there that are based on books?  Here's some fun titles to choose from:

FOR THE GROWN-UPS:

(click on the links to reserve either book or movie via InfoSoup)

1. Seabiscuit, by Laura Hillenbrand (book/movie)
2. About a Boy, by Nick Hornby (book/movie)
3. What Dreams May Come, by Richard Matheson (book/movie)
4. The Last Song, by Nicholas Sparks (book/movie)
5. Forrest Gump, by Winston Groom (book/movie)

FOR YOUNG ADULTS:

1. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, by John Boyne (book/movie)
2. The Princess Bride, by William Goldman (book/movie)
3. Eragon, by Christopher Paolini (book/movie)
4. Holes, by Louis Sachar (book/movie)
5. Rocket Boys: A Memoir (October Sky), by Homer Hickman (book/movie)

FOR CHILDREN:

1. 101 Dalmations, by Dodie Smith (book/movie, animated/movie, live action)
2. How to Train Your Dragon, by Cressida Cowell (book/movie)
3. The Indian in the Cupboard, by Lynne Reid Banks (book/movie)
4. Nanny McPhee, by Christianna Brand (book/movie)
5. Stuart Little, by E.B. White (book/movie)

It's always fun to read the book first, and then compare it to the movie.  Doing this with your kids improves their reading and critical thinking skills, which keeps their brains moving during lazy summer days.  

Have any of you read a good movie lately?

MO-OM, I'M BORED!

Summer has just started, but chances are most of your kids have already said this to you. For most kids, the fun of summer is already wearing off. Here's some great ideas to have some fun with your kids the rest of the summer:

• Have a movie night/afternoon. We turn off all the lights, get out the sleeping bags, lay on the floor with some popcorn and enjoy Nemo or Cars all over again. The kids love it--unintentional naps are always a bonus!
• Get out the hose and have a car wash. This could include your own car, or it could include matchbox cars, ride-on toys, bikes, etc. The wetter you get, the better!
• Fill up the sink with soapy water, pull up a stool, gather some cups, spoons, funnels, etc. and let your little one go to it. Strip them down so you don't have to worry about wet clothes.
• Go to the zoo. We always buy the yearly pass to our zoo so we can go as often as we want. That way with the pass if it gets hot/rainy/crabby we don't feel bad about cutting the trip short.
• Find a park you've never gone to before, or one that the kids always beg to go to and you never have time for. Pack a lunch and make a day out of it. Better yet, go park hopping. It tires them out fast!
• Gather some old magazines and some scissors. Let them cut away! Not only does this improve fine motor skills for preschoolers, but it really keeps them busy! When they're finished, they can have fun helping you clean up!
• Cook together. Find some kid friendly recipes at the library, and choose what you want to cook.  Remember to let the kids help!
• Fill a bucket with water, give the kids a paintbrush, and let them "paint" the house or sidewalk. Give them a bonus if they can paint their names!
• Is your table dirty or sticky from breakfast/lunch/supper? Break out your husband's shaving cream! The kids can fingerpaint with it, the table will get clean, and the kitchen will smell GREAT! Don't want to do it in the house? No problem--clean the picnic table outside! (The bathtub works great too!)
• Go for a nature scavenger walk. Make a list of things to find: sticks, rocks, flowers, leaves, feathers, etc., and don't go home until you've found them all.
• Go swimming. Another place we have a pass to is the community outdoor pool. It pays for itself in a jiffy, and always makes for a fun afternoon. No pool? Research your area, and find out if there's a lake or beach nearby. It's worth a trip!
• Have an all breakfast day. Every meal, have something that you would serve for breakfast. Add more fun to it and wear pajamas ALL DAY.
• Go to the library. The library is always free. (If you don't rake up late charges, that is. Not that I'd know about those...) Check out some new books, and read them together under the trees. Talk to your librarian and see if they have story/craft times. Look through the movies, too--the library does have new releases, and you won't have to pay a rental fee!
• Write a letter to a relative. I mean really write. Even if your child can't form letters yet, they can still draw a picture. Then put the letter in an envelope, address it, and go to the Post Office. Talk about how the letter will get to the relative, and have your child help buy the stamp and put the letter in the box. (Bonus if the relative writes back--starting a new pen pal opportunity!)

So there's some of my ideas that keep us from getting BO-RED in the summer. How about you? Have I missed any? Leave them in the comments, and we'll keep the fun going all summer long!

How to make summer reading fun and exciting

In our last post we discussed how important summer reading is for kids.  There's no disputing that, but the kids in your house may disagree.  How many of you hear, "But reading is BORING!" when you try to get someone to sit down with a book?

Here's some ideas for you to keep reading fun and exciting this summer:

1. Participate in a summer reading program that offers incentives for reading.  Marion Public Library has reading records that, when completed, can be turned in for book bucks or other fun prizes.  Barnes and Noble and Borders both have programs where if you read a certain number of books, you get a book for free.
2. Build reading and writing into everyday experiences.  Watch TV with the sound off and closed captioning on; Read directions out loud for how to play a new game; or help with meals by writing up a grocery list, finding things in the grocery store, and reading the recipe aloud for mom or dad during cooking time.
3. Do you have your garden planted yet?  Planting a garden can be a fun activity that has reading incorporated into it.  Check out this activity at Read Write Think.org.  Marion Public Library has some great books about gardening!
4. Take advantage of the warm summer weather.  Take your reading outside, on a blanket under a shady tree or at the beach.  Put up a tent in the backyard and read by flashlight.  Blow up a plastic pool, add pillows, and read in the living room on a rainy day.
5. Dig into a series.  Some great series to choose from:  Junie B. Jones, The Magic Treehouse, Captain Underpants, Artemis Fowl, Harry Potter, Judy Moody; there's many to choose from.  Try browsing through this site--you'll be sure to find something your kids will love.
6. Involve everyone in the family.  Are Grandma and Grandpa coming for a visit?  Ask them what their favorite books were growing up, and check them out of the library before their visit.  
7. Research before going on vacations or day trips.  Heading to the zoo?  Read up on penguins or lions.  Going to the beach?  Find books about oceans or ocean creatures.  Bring the books along, and compare what you've read to what you're seeing.
8. Make reading a daily habit.  Think outside the box--when can you read during the day, instead of before bedtime?  Try having a daily reading time after breakfast or lunch, a time when you can Drop Everything And Read, just like in school.  Don't forget that parents should participate too--even if your child is reading independently, it's good for you to have your nose in a book too!

Hopefully these tips will help you keep your summer reader exciting about opening books this summer.  Happy Reading!

Great Articles about Summer Reading

Summer is here!  Kids of all ages are looking forward to a long stretch without any school work.  But as parents, we all hope to keep the learning going this summer, right?  One of the most important things that should be stressed to children in the summer is reading.  Why is summer reading important?  Here's a few articles around the internet that explain this very well:  (click on the highlighted text to link to the articles.)

1. Dr. Jenn Berman highlights 12 things you can do to develop a passion for reading in your children in this article.  Included are setting your own reading goals for the summer.
2. The New York Library system has a research brief on the importance of summer reading.  Did you know your kids will do better in school if they read during the summer?
3. The State Library of Iowa links to a few more articles--mostly having to do with higher achievement in school due to summer reading.  It's worth a click!
4. This is a great article written last summer about summer reading, and even includes some great books to check out with your kids.  
5. Here is an interesting informational pamphlet for parents, put out by the Colorado State Library.  It has interesting tips and some articles for your reference too.

Dig in, and have fun reading with your kids this summer!

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