Ready, Set, Read
WHY is it so important to promote literacy in the early childhood years?
Because there are so many benefits!
- Between the ages of 0-5, children’s brains are developing at a rapid rate. Children who are exposed to books and language when they are young, are better equipped to learn to read and write later.
- Literacy promotes language development and the communication skills essential for social interactions
. - Exposure to different narratives and perspectives in literature encourages critical and creative thinking skills.
- Engaging with books and stories empowers children to explore new ideas and concepts on their own terms.
- Children who enter school with a basic understanding of letters, sounds and vocabulary, tend to have a smoother transition into the process of reading and writing.
- Early literacy experiences have been linked to improved health outcomes and social well-being, as well as future educational success.
- And most importantly…Time spent reading with your child promotes bonding and emotional development. Literacy can foster empathy and emotional resilience, as children explore different characters and situations through story. Lay the groundwork for a life-long love of learning!
The Next Storywalk®
Located in the Native Plant Garden on the west side of Pottawatomie Community Center
Jan 13 – Feb 2: The Snowy Day by Esra Jack Keats
April 20 – May 8: Monarch Butterfly by Gail Gibbons
June 22 – July 10: Hello Hello by Brendan Wenzel
Aug 18 – Sep 4: What a Wonderful World by Bob Thiele
Books from the Classroom
Ages 0-2
- Never Touch a Polar Bear by Stuart Lynch
- Who’s Hiding in the Snow? By Nosy Crow
- Ten on the Sled by Kim Norman
- Winter Babies by Kathryn O. Galbraith
- Little Bea and the Snowy Day by Daniel Roode
Ages 2+
- The Snow Thief by Alice Hemming
- All Better1 by Henning Lohlein
- Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? By Bill Martin Jr.
- Snuggle Puppy! by Sandra Boynton
- I Need a Hug by Aaron Blabey
Ages 3+
- The Snowy Day by Esra Jack Keats
- Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion
- The Mitten by Jan Brett
- Love Monster by Rachel Bright
- Polly’s Pink Pajamas by Vivian French
Ages 4+
- Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson & Jane Chapman
- The Peace Book by Todd Parr
- The Gifts of Words by Peter Reynolds
- There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow! By Lucille Colandro
- Winter by Ann Herriges
- Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner
- Best in Snow by April Pulley Sayre
- A Winter Day by Douglas Florian
Ages 0-2
- Little Baby’s Busy Day: A Finger Wiggle Book – Sally Symes
- My Busy Day – Jill Davis
- Go Vote, Baby! Slide & Vote for Your Favorite – Nancy R. Lambert
- This is the Way -Charles Fuge
Ages 2+
- Tap the Magic Tree – Christie Matheson
- The Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big, Hungry Bear – Don & Audrey Wood
- I Can Achieve Anything – Monique Waters
- The Watermelon Seed – Greg Pizzoli
- Can You Make a Scary Face – Jan Thomas
Ages 3+
- Dog’s Colorful Day – Emma Dodd
- Maisy Goes to Preschool – Lucy Cousins
- The Kissing Hand – Audrey Penn
- Found an Apple – Elliot Kreloff
- Rainbow Bear – Bill Martin Jr.
Ages 4+
- My Class is a Family – Shannon Olsen
- I Can Achieve Anything – Monique Waters
- Mrs. Wishy Washy’s Farm – Joy Cowley
- I Promise – James LeBron
- Autumn’s First Leaf – Steve Metzger
- The Fox and the Falling Leaves – Julia Rawlinson
- The Kissing Hand – Audrey Penn
- Acorn Was a Little Wild – Jen Arena
- Mouse’s First Day of School – Lauren Thompson
- I’m Not Ready – Jonathan Allen
- The Pigeon Has to Go to School – Mo Willems
Ages 0-2
- Little Sunflower from Scholastic
- The Kindness Book by Todd Parr
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
- Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Eric Carle
- Opposites by Sandra Boynton
Ages 2+
- Rainbow Stew by Cathryn Falwell
- Egg by Kevin Henkes
- Worm Weather by Jean Taft
- Freight Train by Donald Crews
- Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh
Ages 3+
- When Spring Comes by Kevin Henkes
- Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens
- Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman
- The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
- Harry the Dirty Dog (series) by Gene Zion
Ages 4+
- The Earth Book by Todd Parr
- Mouse’s First Spring by Lauren Thompson
- Lola Plants a Garden by Anna McQuinn
- The Book with No Pictures by B. J. Novak
- The Peace Book by Todd Parr
- The Red Jacket by Bob Holt