|
 
Christian
the Hugging Lion
by
Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell.
Suggestions
to Parents
by Melanie
Gonzalez, Cristina Meyer, Megan Rogers, Early Childhood Education
Students,
University of Central Florida
How
to
Introduce the Book to a Child:
·
Tell
your
child the book is based on a true story.
·
Ask
your child if he/she could imagine buying an exotic pet at a department
store.
·
Ask
what exotic pet your child would like to own. Wonder aloud what you
would need
in order to keep that pet at your home.
·
Words
that
might be helpful for your child to know before reading the book:
·
Harrod’s
Department Store, English Channel, gazelles.
Extension
activities:
·
Read
the author’s note in the back of the book. www.youtube.com
has many videos showing Christian the
Hugging Lion, including footage of Christian growing up and reuniting
with his
owners. One link is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btuxO-C2IzE
·
Look
up Kenya and England on a map. How far is it from England to Kenya?
·
Visit
a zoo that has lions.
·
Make
a
lion mask.
 
I
Always, Always Get My Way
by Thad Krasnesky; Illustrated by David Parkins
Suggestions
to Parents
by Ashley Pittman
& Kerrie Kibling, Early Childhood Education Students,
University of Central
Florida
Ideas
for Reading the Book to a Child:
1.
Extension - This could
be done before or after reading, depending on the
child. Examine the cover
of the book with your child.
Ask your
child, "What do you think the girl is thinking/feeling? Why?"
2.
Before Reading: Ask
your child: “Should you always get your way? Why or Why
not?” or wonder aloud
with your child about “What it would be like to get your way
ALL the time?”
3.
After the first
incident with brother Tom, ask your child:
a.
“What did Tom say happened?”
b.
“What did the girl say happened?”
c.
“Who do you think
was telling the truth?”
d.
“Why do you think
each of their stories were different?”
4.
Before showing page
___ (when the little girl is climbing on the chair collecting the
silverware),
ask your child to predict what happens next.
Ask,
“What do you think the dad will say/do?”
5.
After Reading: Ask
your child, “Have you ever been blamed for something you
didn't do? Tell
me about it.” This book also lends itself to a discussion on
what it means to
be considerate. Was the main character being considerate of the people
and pets
in her family? What could she have done to be considerate?
 
Wonder
Horse: The True Story of
the World’s Smartest Horse by
Emily Arnold McCully
Suggestions
to Parents
by Danielle
Brower and Kristin Blakely, Early Childhood Education students,
University of
Central Florida
How
to
Introduce the Book to a Child:
·
This
book is about how animals have feelings and can learn.
·
Ask
your child if he/she thinks that animals are as smart as humans. Does
your
child think an animal could learn the alphabet, math and manners?
·
Ask
your child about which animal he/she believes is the smartest.
·
If
your child has a pet, ask what makes the pet
“smart”?
·
Words
that might be helpful for your child to know before reading the book:
o
foal,
stallion, liniment, racetrack, plantation, veterinarian, colic,
lameness,
antics.
Extension
Activities:
·
The
book talks about treating animals with kindness. Go to www.ASPCA
and sign the pledge to promise to treat
animals with kindness. This website also has suggestions for how to
talk to
children about animal issues.
·
Discuss
other animals that have learned “human” skills.
Visit http://www.koko.org/index.php
to learn about a gorilla who learned sign
language.
·
Have
your child write or draw a picture of what he/she would teach Jim Key,
the
Wonder Horse.
|
