Fathers and Children: A Book Review, Giveaway, and Activity

The bond between a father and his child is a special one.

Fathers are teachers, playmates, and best friends. Fathers are a source of stability, security, and guidance.

As I pause to reflect on what would have been my father’s seventy-ninth birthday, I realize how great my father’s impact was on the person I am today. He wore many hats as he guided me from childhood to adulthood.

Daddy donned a baseball cap as he organized family wiffle ball games played in the backyard of our Berryville home.

He wore a chef’s hat as he taught me how to create a delicious meal for a large family of 7.

He wore a construction hard hat as he transformed the shell of our Midland house into a home—not only building strong walls but also creating strong bonds of love and a sense of belonging.

Now that my father is no longer with me, I understand how important it is to fill my own hat rack with hats of every shape, size, and purpose. I realize that every moment we spent together, no matter how seemingly insignificant, created a hat for me to add to my own collection.

Thank you, Daddy, for building a wonderfully full hat rack.

 

In memory of my father, I created today’s activity—an opportunity to shine the light on the moments that help shape a child. I selected a book that represents the many roles a father plays in the lives of their children as the springboard for this activity.

My Father is Taller than a Tree, written by Joseph Bruchac and illustrated by Wendy Anderson Halperin, is a book that explores the many hats that all fathers wear. The book highlights tender and memorable moments experienced between fathers and their children. Those moments are as varied as the father-son duos represented—raking leaves, an errand run, a visit to the local park, and many more.

Told in rhyme, the story meanders through those meaningful occasions. With their soft-toned palette, Halperin’s illustrations blend perfectly with the Bruchac’s words that glide across each page spread. Together they provide a cozy and comfortable story that is perfect as a bedtime story.

Just as the story used for my last book review, My Father is Taller than a Tree will definitely provide a learning experience for both parents and their children.

The Details:

Recommended ages: 3-7
Word count: 198
Average words per two page spread: 14
Extra value: Provides a springboard for discussions on what a child views as important.

GROWING STRONG BONDS BETWEEN PARENTS AND CHILDREN 

 This activity is loosely structured. The focus is on developing parent/child activities that create a positive memory for both the child and the parent.

MATERIALS:

Book: My Father is Taller than a Tree (available on Amazon)

Printout of tree (provided)

Scissors

Colored copy paper in 2 colors*

Repositionable adhesive

*Hint: It is not recommended to use basic construction paper. The paper may pull apart as the leaf clusters are removed from the tree. Colored copy paper or colored card stock work better for this activity and can be reused.

INSTRUCTIONS:

 1. Read and discuss the story.

2. Create a list of 5 to 7 things that your child likes to do with you.

3. Create a list of 5 to 7 things that you like to do with your child.

4. Randomly cut 7 of each color paper to place on the tree. One color will be used to record your child’s activity choices. The other color will be used to record your activity choices.

 

5. Write the activities on the paper cutouts, as shown.

 

 

6. Apply repositionable adhesive to the back of the papers and place them on the tree.**

 

7. Over the next two weeks, take turns selecting and completing activities from the tree.

**This activity can be easily modified to reflect changes of the seasons. In the fall, use orange, red, or yellow paper. As the activities are completed, scatter them at the bottom of the tree to resemble piles of leaves. In the spring, add lighter shades of green, adding the leaf clusters to the tree as the activities are completed.

Interested in adding this book to your child’s library? Register here for a book giveaway.*

*This giveaway will include a free copy of MY FATHER IS TALLER THAN A TREE (Joseph Bruchac and Wendy Anderson Halperin), as well as another surprise. The registration will last from the posting of this blog post until midnight, August 13, 2013. One winner will be randomly selected from all entries. The book will be shipped from Amazon within approximately 2 weeks following the close of the giveaway. The giveaway is open to residents of the United States with a United State’s mailing address. The winner’s name will be posted on the blog, unless the winner chooses not to have his/her name posted.

Giveaway Update: Congratulations to Lynn and Linda as the winners of this month's giveaway.

 

JUST IN TIME FOR FATHER'S DAY

Just in Time for Father’s Day

Today’s blog is the first post of one of my book reviews. From time to time, I will post not only a book review for a children’s book, but I will also add a fun, easy-to-complete activity that can be used as follow-up after reading the book. I will only review books that I can recommend. As tastes differ greatly regarding literature, only positive reviews will be posted. The intent of the reviews is a brief description and details that a parent might find interesting when selecting books to read to their children. A book that might become a favorite for a four-year-old will more than likely not appeal to an eight-year-old. One of my sons devoured practically every literature book he could get, while the other son studied and applied skills he found in how-to books. Each person, whether they are  a child or an adult, has different tastes in reading material.

Each book review will also include a book giveaway. The giveaway registration will last a week, with the drawing announced one day after the close of the registration. The books will arrive from Amazon and will be available ONLY to residents of the United States.

As this approach to my book reviews will more than likely evolve over the next several months, I welcome feedback and suggestions.

It's a Firefly Night by Dianne Ochiltree and Betsy Snyder

A delightful tale, tantalizing artwork, and lessons sprinkled throughout—they are the recipe for a summer-themed story children will ask to hear again and again.

It’s a Firefly Night, written by Dianne Ochiltree and illustrated by Betsy Snyder, is a must-read for children ages 3-6. The story flows through an exciting evening spent outdoors in the company of a little girl, her father, and many many fireflies. Told in rhyme, the pacing of this story matches the sudden burst of light a firefly emits on warm summer nights—quick, expressive, and oh-so-meaningful. Each page has only a few scattered words, encouraging children  to pause and study the highly textured illustrations.

As the evening fades, the little girl releases the fireflies from the jar—a reminder to all of us about the importance of  protecting nature. As Ochiltree writes, “I love catching fireflies, but they are not mine”.

As an added bonus, at the end of the story Ochiltree provides a page of firefly facts, beautifully showcased by Snyder’s artistic talent.

I highly recommend this story for the little ones in your life.

The Details:

Recommended ages: 3-6

Word count (excluding fact page) 177

Average words per two page spread: 16

Extra value: reinforces counting skills, treatment of nature, connection with a parent, additional facts

Activity: The Firefly Dance: Counting Fun

 

Ages: 3-6

Time to complete: 20-30 minutes, including reading the reviewed book

Materials: *This is a mommy-made craft

Copy of the book (It’s a Firefly Night)
Yellow Pom Poms, 5 for each child
Fabric or felt glue
Small plastic eyes (optional)
Dark blue or black construction paper
Circle punch (optional)
Scissors
Post-It notes or yellow construction paper with repositionable adhesive

 

 

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Prior to reading the book, create one option of the fireflies to use with the children.

            a. Print illustrations from the activity list that include all 5 pages.

            b. Create pom pom firefly finger puppets.

            c. Create 5 circles to use with title page printable (circles backed with repositionable adhesive).

2. Read and discuss the story, It’s a Firefly Night.

3. Read the poem to children, having them act out each verse, either by placing the circles onto the printable or by placing a firefly finger puppet on their fingers, one at a time. 

Fly Higher with the Fireflies:

The book and poem provide a great review for counting, shapes, and repetition. Older children may be able to repeat the poem with you. 



This book is available on Amazon.com.

Interested in adding this book to your child’s library? Register here for a book giveaway.* 

This giveaway will include a free copy of It’s a Firefly Night, as well as another surprise. The registration will last from the posting of this blog post until midnight, June 18, 2013. One winner will be randomly selected from all entries. The book will be shipped from Amazon within approximately 2 weeks following the close of the giveaway. The giveaway is open to residents of the United States with a United State’s mailing address. The winner’s name will be posted on the blog, unless the winner chooses not to have his/her name posted.