And they’re off

Filed Under Stuff | October 22, 2007

Off We Go!

With the rainy season firmly entrenched and newspapers full of doom-and-gloom stories about childhood obesity, we figured that books for and about active kids would be a good way to set the standard for an active, healthy winter.

Off We Go! by Beverley Abramson
Written by a Canadian, this book features full-colour photos of multi-ethnic children involved in a variety of typically Canadian pastimes – jumping in autumn leaves, tobogganing, kicking a ball on a beach, and even swinging at a Potlatch ceremony.

Clap Your Hands, by Lorinda Bryan Cauley
A book that encourages all sorts of silliness and physical and mental agility – reach for the sky, count to four, act like a clown, slap your knee…perfect for interminable rainy afternoons.

From Head to Toe, by Eric Carle
Many people will be familiar with Eric Carle’s bright collage illustrations. In this book, a host of children move their bodies to imitate animals including stomping like an elephant, and kicking like a donkey.

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury
Black and white line drawings alternate with gorgeous watercolor spreads in this charming award winner depicting a family excursion to look for bears. The singsong text is a great one to employ as a marching song around the house or on the way home from the park.

Song books are always a good bet for infusing your day with some moving and shaking. Try Eileen Christelow’s exuberant Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed. Little ones will also enjoy the farmyard chaos in Skip to my Lou by Nadine Bernard Westcott.

And since the libraries are hopefully re-opening this week (yeah!), you can pick these up at the library. If you were waiting until the return of the libraries to stock up on new books, then be sure to check out our previous kiddie lit columns:

  • Room for two (or more) – books on welcoming a new baby to the family
  • Read on – books on introducing your child to school
  • Come on get sleepy, parts I & II – books for bedtime
  • Books for babes, parts I & II – best board books for young babes

Helen Moore is yoyomama’s kiddie lit correspondent. Helen is a local children’s librarian who is currently using her maternity leave to nurture the reading skills of her two sons, ages one and three.

 

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