Rainy Day

Rainy days are part of this time of year.
After such unusually warm and sunny days, it's a little hard to appreciate the cooler, wetter weather of springtime.
I was thinking of all the books that have rain as part of the story and wanted to share one with you today. I chose Chalk by Bill Thompson.

 Chalk is an amazing wordless picture book that begins and ends with rain. I think you can tell just how cool this book is by looking at the cover alone.  Don't you want to open it and see what it's all about?

Here's a clue.

Three children walking through a playground one rainy day find a bag filled with chalk. They begin to draw with the chalk and some amazing things happen. The drawings come to life.
That's a good thing as long as you're drawing sunshine and butterflies, but what happens when you draw a sharp-toothed dinosaur?

That part is actually a little scary (the illustrations are so intense and realistic). Listeners under five years may need some extra security until the dinosaur problem is resolved by one of the children and another piece of chalk.

Inserts on several double page spreads allow you to see the "before" moment. Pause and ask, "What is that child thinking?" You can retell the story over and over, adding details, as children notice more with each trip through the book.

A wordless picture book must have extraordinary illustrations to carry the story. This one does.

Art Extension Idea:
Chalk with Water
Materials: Colored chalk, heavy white paper, small cups/bowls, water, towels to clean up
Procedure: Give children paper, containers of water and chalk. Let them draw with the dry chalk first. Next, show them how to dip the chalk into the water before putting it to the paper. Encourage them to draw as they wish. Notice and discuss the difference between the wet chalk versus the dry chalk.
Enjoy the experience of discovery and creating art together.

Basketball

In some places in the world, March is a month dedicated to rejoicing in the renewal of the earth and the first signs of spring.
Around here, March is about one thing. Basketball.
It's not just for the grown-ups. Children are decked out in team colors. They're caught up in the excitement and they know who's in the Final Four.
So what's more fun than Basketball? How about Basketball played by Dinosaurs?

 Dino-Basketball by Lisa Wheeler incorporates two favorite themes (sports and prehistoric beasts) into one fast paced, rhyming story. In addition to the action of the game and the vibrant, energetic illustrations, there's always something new to learn. The use of basketball terms and dinosaur species can extend vocabulary and encourage discussion.

"The game begins at breakneck speed.
Two points for Stego! Clippers lead.
Allo answers off the dribble.
Diplo take it up the middle--
T. rex charges from behind.
Steals the ball. It's Meaty time!
He drives the ball up to the hoop.
Lobs to Raptor--Alley-oop!"

Check out this book during March Madness and extend the fun of basketball through read aloud.


Gross Motor Extension Idea:
The game of basketball requires many skills not yet developed in preschoolers. You can make a similar game that is more appropriate for your age group by using a laundry basket set on the floor and smaller, junior sized basketballs. If you want to add a challenge, you can add a masking tape perimeter around the basket for the children to stand on to "shoot".  Several children can practice making shots at the same time. Cheer their efforts and celebrate every 3-pointer!

Dinosaurs

When planning errands with very young children, the rule of 3 applies. Never, and I mean never, try to incorporate more than three stops per day. This does not include drive-thru windows. They only count for a quarter of a stop because no seat belt/car seat buckling, getting shoes back on, or hands and faces being wiped to leave the car is involved. 
This delightful book, When Dinosaurs Came With Everything by Elise Broach, imagines a day when dinosaurs come as the freebie (instead of the standard sticker or lollipop) at the end of every errand stop for a young boy and his mother.

The attitudes of both child and parent change as the story unfolds.

     "No stickers today," said the nurse. "Just dinosaurs. With a shot, you get two."
     "I want a shot," I said.
     At the shoe store, the sign read: BUY TWO PAIR, GET DINOSAUR FREE!
     My mom decided my shoes would last a while longer.

An entertaining story, this one will be requested for many repeated readings. 
If only Dinosaurs really did come with everything...moms would never have to beg or bribe young children to get back into the car for one more trip.

Sensory/Fine Motor Extension Idea:
DINO EGGS MADE WITH PLAY DOUGH   (From PreschoolExpress.com)
 Click here for a recipe for the dough!

Make your favorite batch of play dough.

Then, mix in some washed and dried, used coffee grounds (or sawdust).

Set out a glob of the mixture and bury a dinosaur figure into the dough, then shape it like an egg.

When dry, let your child crack it open to reveal the dinosaur inside.