World Read Aloud Day is an international initiative of Litworld a non-profit literacy organization that believes that the world’s children “have the right to read, to write, and to share their stories.”
Read a story aloud today to someone you love. And don’t forget to consider helping to create that same opportunity for others in our world community who lack the resources we are so fortunate to have.
Here are two delightful stories brimming with alliteration that I plan to read to my not-yet-two-year-old granddaughter today.
Nat the Cat Can Sleep Like That by Victoria Allenby and illustrated by Tara Anderson, is a perfect read for a little one who is fascinated by felines. It features a rhyming story that children will love to chant along to and adorable illustrations of a kitten’s energetic efforts to get Nat the Cat’s attention…
Nat can sleep in dresser drawers,
Or in front of bedroom doors.
Under blankets, on a stair,
Upside-down on someone’s chair-
Have You Seen Birds by Joanne Oppenheim and illustrated by the talented Barbara Reid, was a favorite of my daughter back when she was small. A generation later, it’s become one of her daughter’s favorites.
Have you seen spring Birds?
Fluffy, cheeping,
sleeping, peeping,
ever-eating baby birds.
Monica Kulling’s When Emily Met Woo is a perfect introduction to one of Canada’s most famous artists, Emily Carr. Young readers will find an engaging story, a brief history, some of Ms. Carr’s most famous images and the charming illustrations of the very talented Dean Griffiths.
I’ve probably mentioned the little neighborhood library that I began in front of my home a few years back. My neighbor, George decided to build a more water proof version for me, and one that would accommodate more books. We planned the dimensions over dinner and a bottle of wine. His wife, Kathy offered some cute little seahorse drawer handles that she had been saving for a special occasion. The roof is an old rubber pool liner offered by Nigel and Cathy, a couple from across the street who saw us working on the library in front of George’s place. I used some left over paint from a craft project to paint it up. George put heavy duty wheels. And here it is.
I have found roses, book marks and notes waiting left for me from appreciative readers. Yesterday, when I went out to replenish the library and this is the note that waiting for me.
Sad news…
For young writers looking for writing advice, Myers published Just Write, which he described as a template from his own life.
Sheryl McFarlane 