Summer Reading Lists for Kindergarten

We have been busy with Summer Reading. The public library where I work part-time has a very easy summer reading incentive program. The kids receive a prize for every 5 books read by themselves or read to. For kids going into kindergarten this is usually an easy task as most are still beginning readers. My kids have enjoyed many of the books on their summer reading list sent to us by the elementary school librarian.  I do wish the list had more current titles, but there are over 50 books to chose from. Our favorites so far:
1. Jessica by Kevin Henkes -  a great getting ready for kindergarten book with a surprise ending!
2. Milo's Hat Trick by Jon Agee - a magician and a bear filled with imagination and problem solving.
3. Traction Man is Here by Mini Grey - a great comic book adventure
4. Bunny Cakes by Rosemary Wells - Max and Ruby and a Worm Cake.
5. The Three Pigs by Wiesner -  a Caldecott favorite with pigs escaping their own story.

Let's Hear It for Vegetables!

I have a five year old that simply will not eat any vegetables. I have tried and tried, but nope he is not going to eat any - he promises me maybe when he is six. His twin sister however eats many vegetables and she tries to encourage her brother - but so far nothing is working. I thought that we could cheer about vegetables when I read aloud the new book Rah Rah Radishes by April Pulley Sayre. This is a great book to use in food or community units. The  vibrant photographs of vegetables at a farmers market are accompanied by a rhyming chant - " Oh Boy Bok Choy Brussel Sprouts - Broccoli, Cauliflower Shout it Out!"   Rhyming books are wonderful for beginning readers and the clever chant makes you want to break out the poms poms! After reading the book my son asked - "Well where is the fruit?  - I like fruit".  Ms. Sayre - my son is waiting for Go, Go, Grapes: a Fruit Chant (out next year). In addition, Ms. Sayre has listed some excellent extension activities to go along with this book and even included the Science standards. She also has several other chant books that sound like a great way to encourage partner reading or reading fluency. Rah Rah!!!