Just Right Books: Part Two

ADDENDUM to Just Right Books Part One:  Perhaps I am too harsh a critic.  Just Right books do have a place in education.  Let's say a kid is a bit behind in reading.  All his or her friends are reading a series and he/she tries to read it too, but can't.  That kid may become very frustrated with reading.  Finding Just Right books can help a child discover that reading is FUN rather than FRUSTRATING. My problem is when an education philosophy or idea becomes the only way.  The truth, in my opinion, is always in the middle.

READING UP:

Here's an example of how Mirette and I read up.  Perhaps she'll be just like me when she grows up and read travel guides for fun.  She also reads birding books and cookbooks.  Anything with lots of pictures is fair game for us!

READING DOWN:

Any Sandra Boynton book is sheer pleasure for both Mirette and Mommy.  These books are near and dear to my heart because Blue Hat, Green Hat was the first book that caused Mirette to laugh aloud, the first humorous thing she got on her own.  Needless to say, we read this book again and again and again to the same effect — hysterical giggles.   

Interesting things about Sandra Boynton: She's 58 years old, went to Yale, is married to an Olympic canoeist, lived in France, is into drama and singing, has four kids, grew up Quaker, and has written a whole ton of successful books. 

Here's a link to a Boynton song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3_7UikPpcg&feature=related

A very cool video she produced with BB King:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8rLuk2PoMA

Her official website:
http://www.sandraboynton.com/sboynton/index.html
 
Want your kid in a Sandra Boynton book (this is a pretty cool idea):
http://www.pintsizeproductions.com/pintsize_personalized_Boynton_boardbooks.html

Lastly, a link to Sandra Boynton's cd GRUNT — which looks pretty darn fun for harried parents (it's a Pig Latin version of Gregorian Chanting):

http://www.amazon.com/Grunt-Pigorian-Chant-Snouto-Domoinko/dp/0761105948/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321464170&sr=1-1