This is my first contest planned for the release date and I don't know what I am doing! So, I'm am going to wait for the books to arrive so I can take pics of the prizes (you win more than the book) and hopefully get some interests in the title.
AHHH another day in the life of a self-published author.
They print out on 8 1/2 " X 11" paper, three sheets per word. Available are Acorn, Apple and Candy for the fall.
No ads. Just a straight PDF download.
Enjoy!
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If sitting down to read a book isn't your child's favorite activity, audiobooks can be a fantastic alternative! Listening to a story is still reading—it just comes through a different medium. Audiobooks are a great way to introduce kids to the joy of storytelling without the pressure of having to read the words themselves. Plus, they can listen to audiobooks while doing other things like playing with toys, drawing, or even during car rides. It's a sneaky way to get them hooked on stories!
Many audiobook apps have tons of options for children’s literature, so you can easily find something that suits their interests. And if your child has a favorite book or series, try getting the audiobook version and see if they’re more engaged. Who knows? They might want to start flipping through the physical book while they listen!
Not every kid enjoys reading blocks of text, and that’s okay! Some children are more visually oriented, which is where graphic novels and comics come in. These books are packed with colorful illustrations and shorter text blocks, making them more approachable and fun for reluctant readers.
Graphic novels can cover a wide range of topics and genres, from superheroes to science fiction, and even history and real-life stories. You might find that your child loves the fast-paced action of comics or the beautiful artwork in a graphic novel series. And guess what? Graphic novels still build important reading skills like comprehension and vocabulary—plus, they’re often page-turners!
If your child shows interest in certain movies or shows, try finding graphic novels that match their favorite characters or themes. The familiar content might help them feel more confident about diving into reading!
It’s easy to think that kids should only be reading picture books or fictional stories, but you’d be surprised how many children are fascinated by real-world topics. If your child has a particular interest—like dinosaurs, space, animals, or even cars—try finding non-fiction books about those subjects.
Non-fiction books come in all shapes and sizes, from simple picture books to detailed, informative texts. Often, they’re filled with cool facts, amazing photos, and fun tidbits that can grab a child’s attention. You might be amazed at how excited they get about learning new things when it’s a topic they care about.
If your child isn’t into made-up stories, give non-fiction a go. It’s still reading, and it can foster a love for learning that will serve them throughout their life.
If your child seems bored with books, try making the reading experience more interactive. You could act out scenes from the story, use funny voices for different characters, or even create a little puppet show! Another option is to ask questions while reading, like “What do you think happens next?” or “How would you solve this problem?”
You can also try books with built-in activities, like lift-the-flap books or “choose your own adventure” stories. Making reading feel like playtime can help turn it into something your child looks forward to instead of something they’re reluctant to do.
Sometimes, it’s not about finding the "right" kind of book but following your child’s passions. If they love cars, find books about cars. If they’re obsessed with bugs, dinosaurs, or unicorns, get those! When a child reads about something they genuinely care about, they’re more likely to get excited about it.
Even if it’s a magazine, a comic strip, or an instruction manual for a toy—reading is reading! It doesn’t have to be a traditional book to count. Let them choose what they want to read, and they’ll feel more in control of the experience.
Every child’s reading journey is different, and that’s completely normal. The key is to keep trying new approaches and to be patient. Whether it’s audiobooks, graphic novels, non-fiction, or interactive reading, there are so many ways to help your child find joy in stories. Just keep experimenting, and don’t forget to have fun with it—your enthusiasm can be contagious!
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Ever wonder how dinosaurs come to life in a book? 🖌️🦕 Author and illustrator Cassie Veselovsky takes you for a quick look behind the scenes of Down in the Valley! 🎨✨ From sketch to final creation, every dino has its own adventure. 🦖 Would you rather be a dino explorer or a dino artist?
The top three things to avoid when helping your child learn to read:
Pushing Too Hard, Too Soon: Pressuring children to read before they're ready can lead to frustration and a negative association with reading. It's important to gauge your child's interest and readiness, introducing reading in a fun and relaxed manner.
Focusing Solely on Books: Limiting reading practice to books only can make the process feel rigid and boring. Incorporating a variety of reading materials like comics, magazines, menus, and signs can make reading more engaging and enjoyable for your child.
Neglecting Phonemic Awareness: Jumping straight to reading whole words without building a strong foundation in phonemic awareness (the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds in spoken words) can hinder progress. Spend time on phonics games, rhyming activities, and sound matching to develop these essential skills.
Follow along on Instagram and Facebook for the pre-release fun and for your chance to win a free copy of the book!
What’s the silliest animal adventure your child has had?
Phonological Awareness: Singing breaks words into smaller sounds, helping children hear the distinct syllables and phonemes. This awareness is crucial when they start learning to decode words while reading.
Vocabulary Building: Songs expose children to new words, phrases, and sentence structures, broadening their vocabulary in a fun, engaging way.
Memory and Retention: The rhythm and repetition in songs make it easier for children to remember words, phrases, and concepts, which strengthens their overall language skills.
Listening Skills: Singing encourages children to listen carefully to words and sounds, fostering better concentration and comprehension skills as they grow.
Engagement and Bonding: Singing with children is interactive and encourages participation, making reading time more enjoyable. It also creates emotional connections, making learning feel safe and fun.
By integrating singing into storytime, parents and educators can support early literacy in a joyful, musical way!
Check out my books you can sing: https://www.amazon.com/author/cassie_veselovsky
Playing pretend with a bunch of vehicles or anything really, is fun and educational. Play is a crucial part of how children learn and grow. From building social skills to developing problem-solving abilities, play offers a world of benefits that shape young minds. Here are a few reasons why play is so important in children's learning:
Encourages Creativity and Imagination
When children engage in pretend play or explore different roles, they're using their imaginations to create new scenarios. This kind of creative thinking helps them develop problem-solving skills and fosters innovation, which are key elements in learning.
Builds Social Skills
Through play, children learn how to interact with others, take turns, share, and collaborate. Whether they're working together to build a fort or negotiating the rules of a game, these interactions teach valuable social and emotional skills that are important for their development.
Enhances Cognitive Development
Play supports brain development by encouraging children to think critically, plan ahead, and make decisions. Activities like building with blocks or playing a memory game help strengthen cognitive abilities like focus, memory, and reasoning.
Promotes Physical Health
Active play, like running, jumping, or climbing, not only helps children burn off energy but also improves coordination, balance, and fine motor skills. Physical play is a healthy way for children to stay active while also learning about their bodies and movement.
Boosts Emotional Well-being
Play provides a safe space for children to express their emotions and work through different feelings. Whether they're pretending to be superheroes or acting out real-life scenarios, play allows them to process their experiences in a healthy way, building emotional resilience.
In short, play is essential to children's learning because it helps them grow in every aspect of life. It's more than just fun—it's how they learn to explore the world, solve problems, and develop the skills they need for the future. So next time you see a child at play, remember they’re doing some of their most important learning!
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I started creating Bingo Books (well, the songs with felt pieces) when I was doing a theme that happened to be a five letter word, such as APPLE, ACORN, CANDY (for Halloween!), TEETH, PIZZA, SHARK and more! Including songs in library storytimes for young children is incredibly valuable for several reasons:
Language Development: Songs introduce rhythm, rhyme, and repetition, which help young children build vocabulary, phonological awareness, and listening skills.
Engagement: Music captures attention, making storytime more interactive and fun. This helps children stay focused and involved, even at a young age.
Memory and Comprehension: The repetition of lyrics helps children remember new words and concepts, reinforcing what they’ve learned during storytime. My Bingo Books can be easily adapted to your group, choosing to use one of the verses and repeating it or using all of the different verses. There are many subjects as well to fit a variety of themes and interests.
Motor Skills: Many songs include actions or movements, which encourage children to develop fine and gross motor skills as they follow along with hand motions or dance. With my songs written to the tune of Bingo, kids and their adults can clap along to the beat which helps them focus on the letter and word sounds.
Emotional Connection: Music evokes emotions, creating a positive association with books and reading. And using familiar tunes helps to invoke confidence as the kids and their adults know the tune. This makes children excited to return to storytime and encourages a lifelong love of reading.
Social Skills: Group singing helps children learn to take turns, share attention, and participate in a group setting, which are key social skills for young learners. If you take one of my Bingo Books and create simple felt pieces to go along with it, you can help each child participate in taking down letters when you lose a letter.
Songs make storytime a more dynamic, enriching experience, helping kids learn through play which is so very important. After all, remember what Mister Rogers had to say about play: "Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood."
So go out there and play with your children - and SING!
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