Blogging A to Z: Zeal

It’s the final day of my Blogging A to Z Challenge for this year! Stop by the blog next week for my wrap-up post with links to every day’s challenge in case you missed one or want to go back and check it out!

Today is the letter “Z” and today I’m talking about the same thing I’ve been talking about since the very beginning. Have some zeal when reading to your kids. Be excited that you’re choosing to read together and share that excitement with your kids. If you’re looking for ways to make your read aloud time fun and exciting, look no further, I’ve got ya!

Can you do voices? If you can, color me impressed. I’ve tried, but I always end up forgetting which voice goes with which character and inevitably they get switched around halfway through the story. Kids LOVE when you can do voices. But, don’t feel bad if you can’t do voices, there are plenty of other ways to inject some zeal into your reading.

Try incorporating movement, whether it’s using the book as inspiration – stretching up high or bending down low when they talk about up and down. Or try something a little different – pick a word or two and an action to go along with the word. Then, every time you read that word your child should complete the action. A great example would be to use the Penguin and Pinecone story. Every time you say penguin, your child should waddle around like a penguin. If you say the word pinecone, have them curl up into a little ball and lie on the floor!

I’m mentioned Emily Arrow earlier in the challenge, but she’s got some awesome songs that tie directly into children’s books – definitely check out her YouTube channel! Also, check out Jbrary for some great fingerplays and rhymes that you can do with your child (whether they directly relate to the books you’re reading or not!).

If you’re not sure how to make reading more fun, check out your local library for inspiration! A lot of libraries are offering virtual storytimes right now or if you’re lucky enough to go in person, try it out! Really good children’s librarians are magicians when it comes to bringing stories to life for kids! Observe and steal some tips to try at home!

Today is the last day of book lists for this challenge – 312 titles to engage your child in amazing board books and picture books!

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Book List #26 – Zeal

1. All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Marla Frazee
   Take notice of all the little things in your life that you’re thankful for!
2. Because of an Acorn by Lola M. Schaefer and Adam Schaefer, illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon
   An acorn is just the beginning, of a tree, a bird’s nest, and more.
3. Birds of a Feather by Sita Singh, illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman
   Feeling different from the group is a familiar feeling for so many of us!
4. I Am the Wind by Michael Karg, illustrated by Sophie Diao
   Join the wind on a whirlwind tour around the globe.
5. Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer
   Families come in many different packages, but love is what’s important.
6. Noisy Night by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Brian Biggs
   It’s really noisy in the apartment building as you travel from floor to floor!
7. ‘Ohana Means Family by Ilima Loomis, illustrated by Kenard Pak
   A Hawaiian take on The House that Jack Built.
8. Penguin and Pinecone: A Friendship Story by Salina Yoon
   One of my absolute favorite picture books out there!
9. Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
   Sometimes things don’t work the first time or the second time. Persistence pays off in the end though!
10. This Story Is for You by Greg Pizzoli
    Kindness even in the smallest of gestures is more powerful than one can ever imagine,
11. Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug by Jonathan Stutzman, illustrated by Jay Fleck
    Sweet T. Rex can’t give hugs because of his tiny little arms!
12. What’s Inside a Flower?: And Other Questions about Science & Nature by Rachel Ignotofsky
    

If you’re interested in purchasing any of the titles on this list, please use my affiliate link for Bookshop.org. When you purchase from this link, I will earn a commission as an affiliate.

For the month of April, I’ll be sharing early literacy tips and book lists as part of the Blogging A to Z Challenge. Learn about the importance of early literacy and ways to incorporate tips and tricks into your family’s daily routine. Developing language skills before kids head to school helps them to be ready to learn when they reach school-age. In addition to great content, you’ll also get a new book list for each letter, resulting in over 300 board book and picture book suggestions for your family to enjoy!