One of These Days

Julie Douglas brought back a flood of childhood memories when she wrote about parents teaching children to write letters. I remember how Mom taught me to practice circles and strokes with a pencil and paper, just as she had learned. Wonderful stuff! Read it! -Michael Bouman

One of These Days
By Julie Douglas, Family Reading Specialist

One of these days,

I'm gonna sit down

and write a long letter

To all the good friends I've known

                                 ~ Neil Young

When was the last time you received a letter?  You remember a letter, right? Comes in an envelope, bears a colorful stamp.  In this age of instant communication through poorly punctuated emails and cell phones that we can wear right on our heads, the letter seems a bit old fashioned.

December is a natural time to think about letter writing. After all, December 7 was "Letter Writing Day." Perhaps you know someone who is busy composing a note destined for the North Pole.  Many of you may be preparing to write your annual holiday letter or looking forward to receiving the "year in review" from friends and family.

What do the children in your life know about letter writing? Do they correspond with a pen pal? Have they received a letter from a special friend or relative?

Think of letter writing as a tool for practicing storytelling.  Encourage your child to look at the events in his daily life as fodder for a story.  Awaken the muse with an assortment of colorful stationary and interesting stamps.  Help her broaden her vocabulary by moving beyond, "How are you? I am fine."  Each of us has a story to tell…many stories actually. 

Need a little inspiration?  Check out some of these children's books that focus on the theme of writing and receiving letters.



Mailing May by Michael O. Tunnell, illustrated by Ted Rand (HarperTrophy; New Ed edition, 2000)

When little May's parents can't afford to buy a train ticket for their daughter, they mail her to her grandparents' house.  Rand's warm and nostalgic illustrations add richness to this true story.





The Jolly Postman by Allan Ahlberg, illustrated by Janet Ahlberg (L,B Kids; 20th edition 2006)

Favorite fairy tale characters get letters (in real envelopes!) in this clever classic.  The Jolly Postman is a delight for anyone who has ever secretly wanted to take a peek at someone else's mail.  (Check out The Jolly Christmas Postman by Ahlberg for more fun with letters.)




The Journey of Oliver K. Woodman by Darcy Pattison, illustrated by Joe Cepeda (Harcourt Children's Books, 2003)

When Tameka's Uncle Ray is unable to travel to see her, he sends a wooden man to California instead.  Luckily, Oliver K. Woodman makes many friends along the way.  The story of Oliver's trip is told through postcards sent to Uncle Ray from people who help Oliver reach his destination.  More of Oliver's adventures can be found in Searching for Oliver K. Woodman.






Dear Mrs. La Rue: Letters From Obedience School by Mark Teague (Scholastic Press; 1st ed edition, 2002)

Anyone who knows me knows this is one of my all-time faves (I have a stuffed Ike atop the bookcase in my office.)  Poor Ike pleads through a series of letters to be released from obedience school by describing the deplorable conditions that he is enduring. Ike's mistreatment continues in Detective LaRue: Letters from the Investigation.






Flat Stanley (picture book edition) by Jeff Brown, illustrated by Scott Nash (HarperCollins, 2006)

Based on the 1964 chapter book by Brown, this picture book version introduces young children to Flat Stanley.  Flattened by a falling bulletin board, Stanley finds himself able to do many new things…including traveling through the mail!






A Letter to Amy by Ezra Jack Keats (Puffin, 1998)
Peter (of The Snowy Day and Whistle for Willie) sends a letter to a special friend.  Told in Keats' gentle voice and paired with his brightly colored collages, A Letter to Amy is another Keats classic.

On Family Reading: The Pleasure of a Good Scare!

By Julie Douglas, Family Program Specialist It was a dark and stormy night…. One of my fondest childhood memories is being about 10 years old and sitting on the front porch late at night trading creepy, spooky stories with my friends. Just beyond the amber glow of the porch light lurked ghosts and other assorted creatures of the dark. Every neighbor out on an evening stroll who passed by looked suspiciously zombie-like. The phone ringing inside the house was not a call from the other side of town, but from the Other Side. Everywhere we looked there was fodder for a tale of terror. Many of the tales we swapped were of the “urban legend” variety and usually began, “This really happened to my ___(fill in the blank with a relative, neighbor, or friend)." We would all sit knee to knee, clutching hands and barely daring to breathe. The storyteller would unravel the details slooooooooowwwly in a low, solemn voice. The events unfolded and the apprehension grew. Footsteps drew closer; chains rattled; whispering voices beckoned. Descriptions were vivid and over-the-top. Howling wind and diabolical laughter added to the drama. When the tension was almost unbearable, the storyteller would shout out the ending and be rewarded with shrieks and screams. Why do we love a good scary story? Psychologists suggest that when we identify with the protagonist in the story, we can experience triumph over fear. Horror allows us to confront our emotions and safely explore our dark side. Perhaps (gasp!) we even empathize with the monster on some level. Like those who love roller coasters and skydiving, fans of scary movies and stories enjoy the tension, thrills, and sense of relief they experience. Whatever the reason, many adults and children love a good scare. If you happen to be one of them, check out some of the books below. When choosing any book for children, use your own judgment and knowledge of what is appropriate for your child. A child’s age and temperament will determine if a book is right. In this genre especially, there is no “one size fits all.” Now, if you’ll excuse me, there’s a scratching noise coming from the attic and I need to go investigate. Where did I put that flashlight with the very low battery?

Scary, Scary Halloween by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Jan Brett (Clarion Books, 1988) Jan Brett's brightly illustrated Halloween costumes and Eve Bunting's wonderfully rhythmic verses pair up for a slightly spooky romp on Halloween. Appropriate for even the youngest audience.

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams, illustrated by Megan Lloyd (HarperTrophy 1988) Bring this ghostly story to life by using props and sound effects when reading it to children. The little old lady will have listeners joining her in proclaiming, "I'm NOT afraid of you!"

Go Away, Big Green Monster! by Edward R Emberley (LB Kids,1993) Preschoolers will boldly send the monster packing while listening to this imaginative book by Caldecott Award-winner Emberley. Readers are treated to rich descriptions and vocabulary as they are introduced bit by bit to the big green monster.

Shake Dem Halloween Bones by W. Nikola-Lisa, illustrated by Mike Reed (Houghton Mifflin, 2000) Children won't be able to sit still for this one…and that’s a good thing! Perfect for an interactive storytime.

Spooky Hour by Tony Mitton, illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees (Orchard 2004) Count on some spooky fun as the monsters make their way to a Halloween party. This not-at-all scary story might be a good way for young children to explore some of the costumes and decorations they will see during the holiday.

Mommy? by Maurice Sendak, Arthur Yorinks, and Matthew Reinhart (Michael di Capua Books / Scholastic, 2006) A small boy shows a houseful of ghoulish characters that he's in charge in this masterfully illustrated, nearly wordless pop-up book. Adults will enjoy the nods to well-known monsters such as Nosferatu and Frankenstein, while children will appreciate the youngster's triumph over them.

Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich by Adam Rex (Harcourt Children's Books, 2006) With titles like "The Yeti Doesn't Appreciate Being Called Bigfoot" and "The Invisible Man Gets a Haircut," you know you are in for silly, scary fun with this collection of monster-themed poems. Even the dedications are good for a chuckle.

Oh No, Not Ghosts! by Richard Michelson, illustrated by Adam McCauley (Harcourt Children's Books, 2006) Rhythm, rhyme, and the repetitive phrase "Oh, no, not…" make this a frighteningly fun read aloud.

The Scary States of America by Michael Teitelbaum (Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2007) Nine to twelve year olds are the target audience for this creepy collection of paranormal stories from each state, but younger listeners will enjoy them as well.

In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories by Alvin Schwartz and Dirk Zimmer. (HarperTrophy, 1985) Future fans of Stephen King can cut their teeth on the stories in this collection. Wonderfully creepy…but it would be prudent to preview them first before sharing with kids.

The Thrill of a New Book

Parlez-vous Français? My favorite moment in composing this newsletter comes when I open Julie Douglas's new column on family reading. She has such a gift for words, I read her piece even though I have no child to read to these days. Don't miss her new column on how she explored a new book in a language she doesn't speak! -Michael Bouman

When Love of Books Begins

On Family Reading, monthly column from Julie Douglas

This month Julie thinks about when children develop a love of books. Probably, they don't develop it in a classroom that is dominated by "No Child Left Behind." If not there, where? If not then, when?

(txt) On Family Reading: Humor in Children's Books

By Julie Douglas

As I headed to my car after a recent READ from the START program, I overheard one of the participants excitedly telling her son about one of the new books she had received. "You'll love this one!" she said.  "It's about a goat who only likes to eat healthy food. It’s SO funny!"



Most of us, regardless of age, like a good belly laugh. It's hard to resist something that makes us chuckle, whether it's a joke or a witty observation or a humorous story.  Children are no exception.  Besides being just plain fun, humor is actually good for developing minds!



Research has shown that when we nurture a child's emerging sense of humor, we also help them develop skills to deal with stress, interact socially, be creative, and problem solve.  Humor has been linked to healing and self-esteem.  Sharing a laugh over a book or story creates a bond between a parent and child.  And because much of humor is built on understanding wordplay and the sophisticated use of language, it is an important tool in becoming a good reader.



Luckily there is no shortage of humorous children's books from which to choose.  From simple knock-knock jokes and riddles, to picture books filled with parody and puns, there's a lot to tickle the funny bones of young children.



Because humorous children's books are a passion of mine, I have limited this list to my top 10 favorites lest the list get dangerously long! 

Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters from Obedience School by Mark Teague (Scholastic Press, 2002)

Poor misunderstood Ike has been sent off to obedience school by his owner, Mrs. LaRue.  Not content to suffer in silence, Ike embarks on a mail campaign to guilt Mrs. LaRue into rescuing him from his "confinement."   The clever use of the text and illustrations telling two conflicting stories makes this book fun for both parent and child.

Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Harry Bliss (Joanna Cotler, 2003)

If you think there can’t be anything funny about being an earthworm, think again! The wiggly narrator gives readers the real dirt about being a nightcrawler.

Click Clack Moo: Cows that Type by Doreen Cronin (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 2000)

Stories about animals that outsmart humans make me laugh. When the inhabitants of this barnyard get fed up with their treatment, they take things into their own hands….uh, hooves.  Click Clack Moo is a delightful celebration of speaking up for oneself.

Wool Gathering: A Sheep Family Reunion by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by Frank Ansley (Atheneum/Richard Jackson Books, 2001)

Wooly puns and clever wordplay weave through this collection of poems about a family reunion. 

Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel (Harper & Row Publishers,1970)

As a former teacher and a parent, I have read Frog and Toad books so many times that I feel they are MY friends.  And who wouldn't want to get to know the often droll Toad and the sweet, cheerful Frog?  Lobel has written several books featuring the amphibian friends and all are well-loved by children (and adults!)

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems (Hyperion, 2006)

Seems like a reasonable request, doesn't it?  But the Pigeon is persistent in his pleas, with hilarious results.

The Stinky Cheese Man by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith  (Viking, 1992)

Some of my very favorite stories are twisted fairy tales, and this one is at the top my list. Irreverent and slightly sarcastic, the stories in this collection will appeal to older children who are familiar with the fairy tales on which they are based.  Readers often either love or hate this one, but it is definitely unique.

Boney Legs by Joanna Cole (Scholastic, 1986)

When my daughter was little, we went through a period where we had to read Boney Legs every night. Cole's clever use of repetition and a story that begs to be acted out made this a favorite in our house.

And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street by Dr. Seuss (Random House Books for Young Readers; Reissue edition, 1989)

Miscommunication and a wild imagination add up to giggles in this classic Dr. Seuss story.

Gregory the Terrible Eater by Mitchell Sharmat, illustrated by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey (Scholastic Paperbacks; Reissue edition,1989)

Gregory only wants to eat fruits and veggies, meat and dairy….you know, junk food. At least his parents see it that way. A young goat should be eating proper food like old tires and a piece of barber's pole.  Parents of picky eaters will recognize their family in this funny twist of a common problem.

(audio) On Family Reading: Fathers and Books

Volume 4, No. 6: June 2007
By Julie Douglas, Family Program Specialist, Missouri Humanities Council


A group of parents had just finished reading Mouse Count by Ellen Stoll Walsh. The story introduces readers to a snake who collects ten sleeping mice and drops them into a jar to snack on later. The mice eventually outwit the greedy snake and get away. One father closed the book and shook his head.

"I'd never read this to my little boy," he announced. His reason? The snake looked too "cute" and friendly. He wanted to make sure his child never viewed snakes as harmless. He explained that if his son thought snakes were cute, he might try to pick up one of the poisonous snakes that lived in the woods around their rural Missouri home. This insightful comment led to a conversation about fiction and nonfiction and helping children tell the difference.

Fathers often participate in READ from the START programs and add spontaneity, humor, and a unique perspective to the group. Often dads are the first to experiment with altering their voices when reading. They like to use sound effects to liven up a story. And during storytelling activities, the dads really let their imaginations soar!

Research shows that children greatly benefit from being read to by their father or other male caregiver. Not only does reading to a child help develop emerging literacy skills, but it also strengthens the bond between the parent and child, and serves as a way to express shared values. In our society, where reading to children is sometimes viewed as the mother’s "job," it's important to encourage fathers to read to their children.

In celebration of fathers, take a look at some entertaining stories about dads. Happy Father’s Day! (Here is a link to Freepledge.com, an internet site that connects retail vendors and their customers with non-profits. If you buy books on-line through the Freepledge portal, a percentage of the transaction is contributed by the vendor to the Missouri Humanities Council.)

My Father the Dog by Elizabeth Bluemle, illustrated by Randy Cecil (Candlewick, 2006)
A young girl suspects that her father is actually a dog, and sets out to convince the reader in this very silly (but fun!) picture book.

Ramona and Her Father by Beverly Cleary (Oxford University Press, 2000)
Ramona Quimby faces a less-than-perfect second grade year and family dramas in Beverly Cleary’s Newbery Honor Book.

Daddy's Lullaby by Tony Bradman , illustrated by Jason Cockcroft (Margaret K. McElderry; 2002)
This beautifully illustrated story by British author Tony Bradman reveals the quiet bonding time between a dad and a not-so-sleepy baby while the rest of the house snoozes.

My Man Blue by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Jerome LaGarrigue (Puffin, 2002)
Told in a series of poems, My Man Blue explores young Damon’s feelings of mistrust and ambivalence and eventually friendship for his mother’s new friend, Blue.

How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long, illustrated by David Shannon (Harcourt, 2003)
Sandcastle builder extraordinaire Jeremy Jacobs joins a band of pirates, leaving his parents behind on the beach. All is well until Jeremy begins to miss some of the often overlooked perks of living at home. Children and parents will laugh out loud at Jeremy’s adventure.

What Dads Can't Do by Douglas Wood, illustrated by Doug Cushman (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 2005)
Dads and children will recognize themselves in this humorous look at all of the ordinary things that fathers can't do (such as sleeping late, or going fishing alone.)

My Dad! by Charles Fuge (Gullane Children's Books, 2004)
A little bear wildly exaggerates when describing his father and, in doing so, frightens off his playmates in this delightful tale of a father and his boastful cub.

And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson, illustrated by Henry Cole (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 2005)
Based on the true story of two male penguins at the Central Park Zoo who raise a baby penguin, this book takes a tender look at a special family that is "just a little bit different."

Daddy's Little Girl by Bobby Burke, illustrated by Maggie Kneen (HarperCollins, 2004)

If you've attended a wedding reception, you've probably heard the song that this charming bedtime book is based on.

Daddy's Little Boy by Billy Collins, illustrated by Maggie Kneen (HarperCollins, 2004)
Here's another one adapted from a 1950s song about a special little boy.

My Dad by Anthony Browne (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2001)
This boy's dad can do it all from wrestling giants to walking a tightrope in Browne's cleverly illustrated tribute to a father.

When I Am Old With You by Angela Johnson, illustrated by David Soman (Scholastic, 1993)
The special bond between a grandfather and grandchild is explored as the child imagines a time when they will both be old together.

Baby Rattlesnake/Viborita de Cascabel told by Te Ata, adapted by Lynn Moroney, illustrated by Mira Reisberg (Children’s Book Press, 1999)
A baby rattlesnake learns about forgiveness in this warm Native American tale (in English and Spanish)

In Daddy's Arms I Am Tall: African Americans Celebrating Fathers illustrated by Javaka Steptoe (Lee and Low, 2001)
Thirteen poems in a richly illustrated picture book that pays tribute to fathers.

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