Adventures in Books

For the past two years, Tucker has constantly chosen the book, Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs, as a nighttime read. Our routine at naptime (less and less these days) and at bedtime is for Tucker to pick two books out. Over the past two years, I have added more and more of my classroom picture books (now they are all in our "library"). Now, some would say this book is too advance for a 2 or 3 year old, but I would disagree. From the beginning, we have fully read books to Tucker. Not just little books that have shapes and small pictures (we have read those too). But we have read books that have meat too them. He loves them and whether or not he fully gets them is besides the point. The point is to expose Tucker to as much language as possible. He loves the pictures and learns so much from the new words. These days we take forever getting through a book because of all the questions. Questions he learns from!

So, that being said, this book is one of our favorites- especially the beginning where the pancake is a flying object that lands on Henry's head. We love pancakes and I think Tucker can relate to this part of the book since he and Daddy make waffles and pancakes together. Well, we knew that a movie had come out last year and Harris and I had wondered if it would be any good or even appropriate for Tucker to watch (which it isn't). And now that we have entered the land of DVR, we decided to tape it one evening so Tucker could see it. On Saturday, Tucker and I sat down to watch and see what it was like. From the beginning, Tucker kept asking about the pancake part (and yes, we did at least finally get a pancake on the school scene). And then he kept asking about who this boy was and why was he not in the book or was he Henry (no he isn't ). He even remarked that the movie was not the book- Wow! From a old teacher's point of view, this is a great start with reading comprehension!

Last night, Tucker decided we needed to read Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, along with Curious George and the Perfect Carrot (b/c carrots and meatballs go together- did you know that?). He still was comparing and looking for things from the movie. It was a great nighttime read and reading discussion. We both decided we didn't want to see the movie again and would just keep reading the book (over and over and over again)!

Am I claiming that Tucker can truly read? Heck no! Am I excited that he is getting enough from the books we read to make comparisons that help him understand the book even more? Yes! Maybe this blog is the teacher in me missing teaching (yes, this happens about this time every year). Maybe just a proud Mama. I think a little of both! :)

All I know to say is read with your little ones. Read all kinds of books- not just the little board books that they can chew on too! Reading starts so early and in ways you might not normally think of!