May Your Feet Always Be Swift

     Though I do love reading with my toddler right now, it is a very sedentary activity - calming and soothing, yes, but if you're looking for books to get your child to move or participate a little (beyond just opening flaps) I have a few good suggestions. My favorite is  Little Yoga: A Toddler's First Book of Yoga. Each pages presents a different yoga position with a child-friendly name like: butterfly or cat. At the end of the book, there is a list of the poses with their correct names. Sometimes we even do this one together. If you're in the mood to sing rather than move, there are tons of books out there that present your children's favorite songs in a story form with pictures for each lyric. Our favorite is Wheels on the Bus. If your are not familiar with this song for some reason, the lyrics and music are printed at the end of the book. Another one that has become a favorite of mine to give at baby showers is Forever Young, a great picture book based on the Bob Dylan song. I look forward to the day my kids begin to understand the significance of these lyrics: "May your hands always be busy; May your feet always be swift."
    For older children- probably at least 3-1/2 maybe even four, I'd recommend a book that was recently recommended on this blog called: The Jolly Postman by Janet and Allan Ahlberg (same authors of Each Peach Pear Plum, one of our all-time favorites-see why below). I was so excited to read this with my daughter, who is almost three, but realized before even showing it her that she's too young for it. It's is an epistolary story with actual letters, postcards, and other correspondences tucked into each page. I just can't bear the thought of my daughter tearing the pages yet (I know I should get over this, and will with the second) but that's why I'd recommend it for an older child.
     A third and final book in this category comes from another recommendation from a friend who is also a teacher called Color Dance. I have to admit I haven't bought this one yet, but have begun to covet it on Amazon. So this one does not technically instruct its readers to move, per se, but it might compel them to with a dance theme that introduces colors and how to mix them with simple imagery and language. It's a nice way to introduce the idea of mixing colors. Eliza's introduction to this idea sadly came from Foofa (of Yo Gabba Gabba-fame for those perfect parents out there who shield their children from Nick Jr.)

What we're reading: Each Peach Pear Plum by Janet and Allan Ahlberg

Why: We keep coming back to this one - it's really the book that keeps on giving. It reminds me of "The Simpsons" or Shakespeare - to be understood on so many different levels, depending on your age or maturity

What I'm looking for: Guest bloggers!! I'm sure people would appreciate a more diverse realm of recommendations. I'm speaking from a somewhat limited perspective. I'd especially love to hear from parents with children over the age of three...but to anyone reading out there: if you have a book or author or theme you feel strongly about, please contact me at: lizleematthews@hotmail.com Send me a few short paragraphs and I'll post it here!