Children's Books About Style and Color
It’s Read Across America Day! I thought we would celebrate in the spirit of our Blog focus (Kids & Style!) and do a Post featuring kids books on style and color! Today is also known as “Dr. Seuss Day”, so you know I have to include Dr. Seuss Books even though this Post is about style and color! Read Across America Day is held annually on March 2 Dr. Seuss' (Theodor Seuss Geisel) birthday.
Love the history behind some of Dr. Seuss' Books. Like . . . he wrote Cat in the Hat using 236 words that were deemed important for first graders to learn after Life Magazine had reported that children weren’t reading as much because they found most of the children’s books boring. (With SO many great options now, kids books are no longer boring!) The National Education Association advocated for a day to celebrate reading all over the United States. I love that Read Across America decided to hold reading event on Dr. Seuss’ birthday. I always loved his books and I also happen to live in the birthplace of Dr. Suess in Massachusetts. It’s fun to actually live near the street names included in Dr Seuss' books like And To Think I Saw It On Mulberry Street, and to see murals in the city that show his fun and playful artwork. (I have given his book, Oh the Places You Will Go, as a gift a few times for graduations and for a friend starting a new business - it's a classic "You will be Great"! book. (for any age!)
As a kid, I LOVED to read books! Still do. Some of my (many) fond memories as a kid was picking “Golden Books” with my Mother to read. My love of books have continued to this day. I have a seriously “obsessive” amount of books in my Library. (My latest books are now about styling, decor, baking/cooking, business . . . & lots of kids books.) I also donate books to my favorite library on Cape Cod. Years ago I got a stamp at an office supply store to stamp print in each book I donate in honor of my parents with their name. Saying . . . "In love and honor of my parents who taught me, read to me and gave me my love of reading". Just thought it was a nice way of donating books in honor of them. :) They both loved books & I know I got my love of books/reading from both of them
As a Kids Lifestyle Photo Stylist, I have styled many a’ kids bookshelf, bedroom and playroom filled with books! Books are some of my favorite things to shop for when styling photo shoots for kids. (So, I have a large collection in my Prop Collection!) In celebration of Read Across America Day, I thought I would share some of my absolute favorites. One is Swatch, The Girl Who Loved Color. Probably the Kids Stylist, lover of color and the name, "Swatch" that I am totally drawn to . . . but I just love this book. Check out the Video Trailer here. The books below are about color, style and some lessons learned like . . . it's ok to "break the color rules" and have a creative imagination.
Maybe Something Beautiful
Fancy Nancy’s Fashion Parade
I Had a Favorite Dress
Pantone Colors Children’s Book
First Book of Patterns
What Color Is My Hijab
Pirate Jack Gets Dressed
Mary Had a Little Glam
Little Green Peas: A Big Book of Color
Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes
The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse
Pocket Full of Colors
The Crayon Man
10 Tips For Reading with Kids:
1. Join your local library (& attend story times).
2. Have kids pick their own books.
3. Read about topics your kids are interested in. This is a great way to keep their interest in reading.
4. Expand kids interest and knowledge through getting books on a variety of topics, not just the topics they are interested in.
5. Make reading a part of your day - every day.
6. Make it a fun & memorable activity. (Even add some props!)
7. Ask questions as you are reading.
8. Make treats mentioned in books. This can be a fun way to get kids reading. Like . . . making donuts and then reading Dozens of Donuts. See our Post from yesterday about Tips for Baking with Kids for some fun tips on incorporating baking!
9. Plan visits and trips of places talked about in books.
10. Encourage kids to donate books to others that need them and to share their love of reading. (You can even have a stamp made up like I did. A Stamp like . . . "This book is donated in love by (child's name). I loved reading it! I hope you do to!)
(Costs less than $20) Printed labels is another option.
Hope you celebrate reading today (& every day!) :)
