New Neighbors

What an exciting time it is when children learn to read. I remember going to the library almost every other day to get new books for them. Now there are two new books and on a topic very important to young children- new neighbors! Who lives in that house next door ? It is oh so interesting, especially if you were good friends with the neighbor who moved out.

Katy Duck Makes a Friend by Alyssa Satin Capecilli and Henry Cole, and Amelia Bedelia Makes a Friend by Herman Parish and Lynne Avril are both on that same topic, but the ending of the Amelia Bedelia has a special twist. The new new neighbor is a grandmother whose twin grandchildren come to visit now and then, but even when they aren't visiting, Amelia finds out she can do fun things with the grandmother.

Both books are early reader books, but they can still be used for pre-readers. The short text is easier for some children who are not yet ready for the more complex text in longer picture books. They will build print knowledge while delivering positive messages. I sometimes like to use a shorter book, if I want to introduce a topic, but don't want to have the children sitting for a long time. Katy Duck Makes a Friend would be a good intro to a discussion on things you can do with a friend when you both want to do different things.

Your Moon, My Moon -More Than a Grandma's Story

The new book, Your Moon, My Moon is a grandmother's words to a faraway child, but as wonderful as that is, I think it is so much more. This beautiful book, by Patricia MacLachlan and Bryan Collier will help all children build a better understanding of relationships and of the world outside their own immediate surroundings.

If you are a teacher, you can use this book to help children learn about different environments, while at the same time increase their understanding that people in different places are alike in many ways. For children lucky enough to live near their grandma, they can learn that it isn't that way for everyone. And for those who have a grandparent living far away, they will begin to understand they are not alone in that. Children could make a split picture of what a loved one might be doing on one side and a picture of the child in school on the other side.


Of course if you are a parent or grandparent, the story becomes so much more personal. No matter how far apart or how close you live, this is a great story. It is one I will have my husband share with my grandchildren, since it is not unusual for him to call them and tell them to go out and look at the stars or moon.