Today I'm starting my new "Take 2 Books" series because so much can learned by comparing, contrasting, and making all kinds of real world connections with, two or more children's books.
As we're nearing the end of our discussion Of Picky Eating and Avid Reading, I'd once again like to raise a Key Question: Where Does Food Come From? So far, we've talked a lot about fruits and vegetables, but when you put a loaf of bread or a piece of toast in front of your preschooler, how will s/he answer that question? The word "wheat" might come up, but would a conversation about seeds? Chances are, if your child has read any of the books I mentioned earlier this week, the background knowledge would find its way into the conversation somehow.
So, I'm excited to share two very special picture books which can really make it fun for you and your child to connect all kinds of learning and reading dots. It doesn't really matter which one you read first, but I'll start with fiction since it'll be sure to spark interest in and mystery surrounding the subject.
I just love Jerry Pinkney's The Little Red Hen (Phyllis Fogelman Books)! It's a rare gem in the world of picture books, and a true masterpiece in my eyes. Why? The moment you open it, you'll see. Every single mark and word on each page has a reason for being there. Nothing needs to be added, nothing needs to be taken away. Everything about this picture book is just right. I'm sure Goldilocks would approve.
When The Little Red Hen discovers some mysterious seeds, one of her animal friends recognizes them as wheat seeds. As she goes from planting the seeds to harvesting and milling the wheat to baking the bread, The Little Red Hen asks for a little help from her many animal friends, but each is too lazy to lend a hand. Of course, when it's time to eat the bread, they're waiting in line! Does The Little Red Hen share it, even though no one helped her? If you're not familiar with the story, I don't want to give away the ending!
Whether your toddler is learning about animals and/or friendship, or your six year old is just starting to learn about seeds, gardening, and/or cooking, or your tween or teen needs a little help in developing a better work ethic, there's something in this particular book for people of every age. Can you see why I love it so much?
And so, a fantastic photographic book to pair it with would be Bread Comes to Life: A Garden of Wheat and a Loaf to Eat
There are many kinds of bread, but how is it made? Where does it all start? From seeds to shoots that grow and grow into grains of wheat and "sun-dried stalks," bread really does come to life with each turn of the page. There is a recipe for whole wheat bread at the end of the book, in addition to information about how to grow wheat at home (in the ground or even in a pot), how to chew wheat grains into gum, and the science behind the rising of bread.
There are so many ways to connect these two extraordinary picture books. Here are just a few that come to mind at the moment:
- Read each book aloud as many times as your child wants, one time all the way through without stopping to chat, and then again, as you and your child pause to "think aloud" your thoughts, questions, and connections. You never know where the conversation might lead, or how the books or concepts will bounce off of each other.
- Ask your child if she noticed any similarities and differences between the two books. You could even write it all down using a Venn Diagram (similarities are at the intersection of the two circles). Be careful, though. You don't want to make it seem like work, so only proceed if your child seems interested.
- Ask your child to retell The Little Red Hen, while helping to fill in any gaps. You could even ask him to write and illustrate it, or you could write down the story he tells you. Recalling the steps will help your child learn about sequences and even patterns, both of which are important math and writing concepts. As an added plus, you might even find little pieces of Bread Comes to Life weave their way into the story.
- Gather a few props and friends (and even music) and have your child act out either book. A child could be a certain character, or a seed springing to life (preschoolers love to squat and "grow," or be the one who "waters" the seeds).
- Cook up some fun, using whole wheat flour! You could make a loaf of bread, homemade pretzels, or pizza.
- Talk about the different kinds of wheat flour, and why brown flour has more nutrients and fiber. You could even take a trip to the grocery store and read ingredient and nutrition labels together.
- Pot a plant together and watch it grow.
- Add a cultural connection. Talk about different kinds of bread, look through ethnic cookbooks, or take out another picture book, such as Everybody Bakes Bread (Carolrhoda Picture Books)
, which is part of a series by Norah Dooley.
- Look out for real world connections which pop up in front of you every day. You don't have to be at a grocery store or a farm for little details from the books to show up in real life. If you see a random seed, flower, or chick, for example, why not mention to your child that it made you think of The Little Red Hen? Your child might even mention the connection first. That's what real learning really is - being able to apply what we learn from books to our lives somehow.
Can you think of any other fun ways to connect the dots of these two books? Or, would you like to add a favorite book or two of your own? Please let me know in the comments, or through email. I look forward to hearing from you!
The next post in the healthy eating series is Take 2 Books: Carrot Tops and Bottoms. Thank you for reading my blog.
