Tiny Oranges – Fresh, fun blog for OC moms

I am a huge fan of parenting books because as a mom I really can use all the help I can get! With each one I have read, I have taken away different gems of advice or different ways of looking at things that have been helpful at challenging times. One of these gems was something I learned while reading The Go-To Mom’s Parents’ Guide to Emotion Coaching Young Children. And it had to do with kids and sharing.  What I learned from Kimberley has been so incredibly effective with my toddler (and even my five-year-old) that I felt compelled to share it with you!

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For me, watching my five year old start to read has been one of the most fascinating things I have witnessed thus far in parenting. It is truly amazing to see the wheels in her brain turning as she starts to recognize more sight words and master the different sounds.

It has also made me realize just how CRAZY the English language is!  I mean how many exceptions could we possibly have?  Just when she has her “c” sound down, she asks me how to spell “cereal.”  And then when an invitation comes to a “Princess and Knight” party arrives and she wants me to read it with her, I have to explain the “silent K.” Geesh! I digress…moving on…

So when a representative from www.SchoolZone.com, a company known for their educational workbooks, flash cards & software, contacted me to tell me about their Start to Read! program I was interested in learning more because I believe anything we can get our hands on to give her practice is worth checking out!

The Start to Read! Program uses a 3-step approach to reading: listen, read, review. The 6-book set for each level (there are 3) contains five beginning reader books, a read-along and songs CD, a comprehension workbook and a parent guide.

Level 1 books are designed for emergent readers, ages 4-6, and have limited vocabulary – each book introduces between 9 and 50 words. Utilizing short, one-line sentences, the titles in level 1 provide simple picture clues that significantly support the story.

The five titles in the Level 2 collection feature brief stories that introduce controlled vocabulary, simple sentence patterns and rhyming words and are designed for children ages 5-7. Picture clues provide considerable support for the test. Each book presents the reader with 50-70 new words.

Level 3 features stories with the most new words and vocabulary and are aimed at readers ages 6-7. Many of the words can be read by changing the initial sound (rumbled-tumbled) or by rhyming with a known word (before-roar). Children should learn approximately 45-150 new words with each book.

For my daughter, at her stage in learning to read, which is the beginning stage, repetition is key. All of the books we read in the Level 1 series combined a silly story using lots of simple, repeating words.  I have learned that word repetition is great because it builds their confidence and gives them the “I can read!” excitement when working their way through a book.

Her personal favorite story in this series is Jog Frog Jog, which features a jogging frog pounding water in running shoes on the cover, was such a silly story she laughed out loud. Especially to the song on the CD.

I am a believer in making education fun for kids! This is the perfect activity to pull out when little sister is napping and we can read the books together and have a ball while doing it!

Each of the three levels retails for $24.99; the deluxe kit, which includes all three levels, is available for the high-value price of $59.99. The 15 individual storybooks are available separately for $2.99 each. All products are available from www.schoolzone.com.

Completely awesome gift idea as well!

{Disclosure: I received the Level 1 Kit complimentary to facilitate this review but this is not a compensated post and all of my opinions are my honest ones!}

In celebration of Josie Brown‘s latest novel, The Baby Planner, baby planners all over the country are throwing the ultimate parents parties and one is coming to Orange County this Sunday, May 22nd, 2011 at Granola Babies in Costa Mesa!

An OC Baby Planner herself, Denise Xagorarakis, is hosting this belly-licious soiree and there are lots of fun things in store!

Josie Brown will be reading from her book, and afterwards you will see demos of the latest and greatest products for mom and baby. In addition, there will be samples, giveaways, raffles, gift coupons and more!

Click HERE for the list of sponsors, more information and to RSVP (highly suggested!)

Orange County The Baby Planner Parents Party
Sunday, May 22nd, 2011 from 11am – 1pm
at Granola Babies
2346 Newport Blvd., B-1, Costa Mesa 92627
800.560.9534

{Disclosure: Granola Babies is a Tiny Oranges Sponsor}

On a recent trip to our local library I asked the librarian if she had any favorite books for an almost five year old and she pulled out “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus” as one of her top picks.

I can’t tell you how many times I read it to her over the course of the two weeks, but it was a lot!  It had both my daughter and I cracking up, and the more I heard her giggle and laugh out loud, the more it made me laugh.

There is just something hysterical about a pigeon pleading to drive a bus, and my daughter answering each persuading question or argument with an emphatic, “nooooooo!”

I thought we were probably the last to discover this series until I asked two of my closest friends if they had it(assuming they did) and they both said no, which told me I have to blog about this find!

This book would make a great gift idea for either a boy or girl.  Looks like I have to buy this book for my daughter for her birthday next month as we are sad we had to take our friend Pigeon back to the library.

Upon further investigation, it appears as if the Pigeon is up to other adventures, see all the books by the author Mo Willems here.

Since I am ALWAYS on the hunt for great children’s books, what are your favorite laugh out loud books?

One of our friends got this beautiful, hardcover book, “The Wicked Big Toddlah” by Kevin Hawkes for Morgan’s first birthday and it has become such a hit in our house, I had to write about it and give my mommy review.  I am always looking for great gift ideas for kids and sometimes find myself stumped on the age or sex (I have no idea about boy stuff!) Therefore, when I discover a great gift that could be for a boy or girl, and could be given to a child ages birth through at least age 4 or 5,  it is like hitting the gift idea jackpot!

I personally love getting and giving books for birthday presents because you know it is a gift that will last a long time. And selfishly, after reading the same books again and again, as a mom I love to throw some different titles into the bedtime mix.  It is also nice to have books that I actually enjoy reading too. And this book is just plain fun to read!

With hilarious illustrations with clever detail, it tells the story of an overgrown baby named Toddie growing up during his first year in Maine {therefore the use of local vernacular like “wicked” and the pronunciation of “toddlah.”}

The book opens with a stork delivering a VERY large baby to the hospital and the baby’s uncle Bert yells, “That’s a wicked big toddlah ya got theyah, Jessie!”   The book had me laughing from page one.   Toddie is so big he takes baths in lakes and takes bites out of trees when he starts eating solids.  And the diaper changing page is hysterical.  Let’s just say it really does take a village.

Although Morgan at one is too young to appreciate this story just YET, big sis Emma, at 4 years, thinks this book is an absolute riot. I  have read it every night to her since we got it and she giggles at every turn of the page. Even trying out her own Maine accent, like Toddie, when he learns to speak and says, “Hihowaahya?” {Translation: Hi, how are you?”}

If you are like me and trying to simplify your life these days, pick up a stash of this title to have on hand for birthday parties, and you will not only give a great gift but will avoid a last minute dash to Target!  Buy enough to total $25, and you get free shipping on Amazon too!

Seriously, it’s wicked funny.

{Disclosure: We received the book as a gift and I wanted to share this fun find.  However, I am signed up as an Amazon Affiliate, which means if you click the link to the book above and purchase it online through my link I receive an itsy-bitsy sort of commission. You can click this link here too…The Wicked Big Toddlah…thanks!}