Ashraf with Books

Ashraf like to take picture with books. :)

Ashraf with Little Beauty

                 Ashraf with his favorite book, Little Beauty by Anthony Browne

Buzzfeed showcased "19 wonderful vintage school library posters" from the 1960s that encouraged kids to explore the library. Check it out, it's cool. :)

Let's Read Aloud

When I first began to read aloud to my eldest child, I needed a book that gives pointers on, and emphasises the importance of reading aloud. Luckily, I found two books – Jim Trealese’s The Read-Aloud Handbook and Mem Fox’s Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever. In the former, Jim Trealese explains why it is important for children to grow up as readers, and how we as parents can help to accomplish this. Every chapter of the book – even the introduction – is very edifying. I still remember one of the arguments on whether reading should be the responsibility of parents or teachers. Since children spend more time outside the school, it should be the parents’ responsibility. And we, as parents, can play a huge role not only by reading to our kids, but also making sure that they have access to books at home, and being a model to them by being readers ourselves. In Reading Magic, Mem Fox guides us on how to get the most value and joy out of a read-aloud session. With passion and humour, she explains when and where to read aloud, and demonstrates with examples that are easy to follow. She also discusses the secrets of reading and offers guidance on defining and choosing good books. As a parent, I want my children to love books, and I want them to become an avid reader. These two books help me discover the pleasures of reading aloud, and helped me start my children on their journey to becoming lifelong readers. I hope they would help you, too!

Backyard Books

It's been a while i didn't post anything on my blog but it's does not mean we discontinued our read-aloud session. I still read to my children and currently they like me to read to them the Backyard Books series. It's a series of non fiction picture books where children can learn backyard bugs and spiders. This books very informative and the illustrations is beautiful. Read it to your children and enjoy as they giggles when you asked them "Are you a dragonfly?"

Ape by Martin Jenkins (Read on 30th July 2012)

Last night I’ve read Martin Jenkins’s Ape to my children. I think this is the third times I’ve read it to them, but they never get bored with this fantastic book. This exciting book tells us about the increasingly rare Orang-Utan, Chimp, Bonobo and Gorilla.  The illustrations was breathtaking and gorgeous (well done to the illustrator, Vicky White), and the text was lyrical and engaging (well done too for the author, Martin Jenkin). Ape is a wonderful book for children and adults. And of course, I enjoyed reading it to my children. :)

Reading Should Be a Family Affair

According to author Mary Pope Osborne, “having books at home is just as important as having them in school. Reading should be a family affair — something that’s done for pleasure and not treated simply as an assignment.” I totally agreed with her. When I read to my children, I don’t feel it’s a burden to me. I do it because I enjoy doing it. I love watching my children quietly listening to me while I’m reading. This is the time when we can spend our time together, quietly, after a long busy day. ^_^

Reading Rockets

Reading Rockets is another cool site for parents that offer reading strategies, lessons and activities to help children to read. Check it out J

Children of the Forest by Elsa Beskow

One of my habits at work is to look through the customer orders. I like to see what type of book customers like to order and I found it very interesting. Today while looking through the customer orders, I stumble upon this book, Elsa Beskow’s Children of the Forest. It’s such a lovely book with a beautiful illustrations and I fall in love with it. I cannot help myself so, straight away I order a copy for myself. I cannot wait to receive my order and read it to my children. J

Little Beauty by Anthony Browne (Read on 12th January 2012)

Last night I’ve reread Anthony Browne’s Little Beauty to my children. They never get bored with this story and often choose it as our bedtime story selection. But, I admit it myself. This book is fun to read aloud and I don’t mind reading it over, and over again. The story is about a friendship between a gorilla and a very small kitten named Beauty. The gorilla is very special because he had been taught to use a sign language, so he was able to tell his keepers what he wanted. One day, he signed to his keepers that he wanted a friend. So, they give him a little kitten named Beauty and the two of them become close friend. This is a heart-warming tale about friendship and I enjoyed reading it to my children.

Story Time: Books We Read Last Week

Last week was very busy (as usual), but I managed to read three times to my children. Here is the list of books we read last week;

• Tanka Tanka Skunk! By Steve Webb
• Little Beauty by Anthony Browne
• Kisses For Daddy by Frances Watts and David Legge
• My Dad by Anthony Browne
• Sleepyhead by Karma Wilson and John Segal
• The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Read Aloud at Kinokuniya: The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein (Read on 14th December 2012)

Last week at my workplace, I read aloud one of my favorite picture book which is Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree. Since it's my last public speaking, I chose this title because it was one of the best picture books I’ve ever read and it’s carried a very strong message about love and giving. I’ve been reading this book over and over again to my children during our story time. There are an opposite opinion between my eldest son and my daughter; my son like the little boy but my daughter prefers the tree. But both of them agreed that even though the story is sad but it’s a wonderful story and they love it very much. I hope my colleagues enjoy my speech, get the message from this book and spread the power of love and giving. ^_^

Story Time: Books We Read Last Week

Last week I'm not feeling well because my back in pain again. As a result, I won't be able to read every night to my children. My daughter keep on begging me to read to them even only one book. So I tried my best and managed to read three nights for them. Here is the list of books we read last week:

• Spells by Emily Gravett
• The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
• The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle
• Reading Grows by Ellen B. Senisi
• How to Hide a Butterfly and Other Insects by Ruth Hellers

Shopping @ BookXcess on 10th December 2011

Yesterday, we went to Amcorp Mall and brought some books at BookXcess. My daughter very happy especially when I brought her one of The Magic Bookshop Bears series. She asked me to buy the other titles in the series if we go to visit BookXcess again. I promise her that I will buy the entire series if she behave nicely. ^_^

Books We Read Over the Weekend

Last weekend I had a great time with my children. I'm off for three days and I spent most of my time with them. I didn't even have time to open my FB, which is fine with me. Basically, I play with them especially with the youngest one and bring them along with me to do the grocery shopping. Do I have time to read to them? Yes, of course I do. Here is the list of books we read last weekend and loved: 

• Qaroon and His Treasures (Quran Stories) 
• The Emperor of Absurdia by Chris Riddell 
• What's the Time Mr. Wolf? by Lucy M George
• Where's My Teddy by Jez Alborough 
• Outside Over There by Maurice Sendak

Interesting Blog: Growing Bookworms

I found another cool blog about children books at www.GrowingBookworms.com. This blog is very informative and useful. It's helps people to encourage children to love books by providing them book reviews, literacy news, and email newsletter. So, wait no more! Check out this blog and I can assure you will love it!:)

Pansing Partner's Day 2011: There Are Cats In This Book by Viviane Schwarz (Read on 22nd November 2011)

This time I only bought one book from Pansing Partner's Day which is Viviane Schwarz's There are Cats In This Book. Previously, I've bought her second book about cats called There Are No Cats In This Book at Bookxcess. My children are in love with Tiny, Moonpie and Andre (the lovely cats in this book). They so excited when I show them this book and they asked me to read to them before dinner. So I did and they enjoyed it. Vivian Schwarz's books are very entertaining and always full of surprises. Read her books, and you will know what I meant. :)

Reading to Our Children is a Joyful Activity

Today I’ve read this cool article from Guardian, where Julia Donaldson shares how picture books can teach our children to understand themselves. And there was a part when she talks about the important to read to children, I agreed with her that reading to our children is a joyful activity. Yes, it is a joyful activity. This is the time when I can cuddle my children and feel close to them. And after reading together, I feel the satisfaction when I see their happy face. That meant they enjoy the stories. And for me, I always think that every time I read to my children is like giving them a gift that will last forever.:)

Story Time: Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers (read on 17th November 2011)

Couple of week ago, I bought Mr. Popper’s Penguin’s DVD starring Jim Carrey. And last Thursday, since school holiday just around the corner, I let my children watch the movie and stay up a bit late. The story is hilarious and Jim Carrey was a great comedian. And the penguins are adorable. We laugh out loud and had a great time watching the movie. After watching the movie, I asked my children if we have picture book about penguins. They look for it and found Oliver Jeffers’s Lost and Found. So, I read to them that book. Lost and Found is a story about the friendship between a lonely penguin and a boy. How this boy tries to return the penguin to where it’s belong. He even set out a journey to the South Pole with the penguin. But after they get there, the boy discovers that the penguin wasn’t lost after all. Oliver Jeffers’ unique tale of friendship is such a delight read aloud book. It’s good to see my children enjoyed it. ^_^

Books Bought @ Carrefour 2

We went to Carrefour for groceries shopping today. And as usual, I will go to the books clearance corner and hunt for book. It's caught me by surprise, because today's bargain is only RM1 per book.I guess Carrefour tries to get rid of the balance stocks. Not many books left, mostly fiction and self enrichment book. I browsed and managed to bought five books. Not bad, not bad at all.:)