The Big Orange Splot: Read-Aloud Thursday

In all of our beautiful chapter book reading the past few weeks, I feel like we've lost sight of the fact that we have a six year old (and a 10 year old for that matter!) who still love picture books!   I'm making an effort to pull at least one of our favorites each day to read to them.   This time spent with my children is such a gift for all of us. 

The book to share this week for Read-Aloud Thursday is a KEEPER.    We've had this one for a couple of years, but just recently pulled it out and read it again.  It was given to me by my older sister - it was a favorite of her son's when he was growing up.   Now, it's one of our favorites, too.    It's worth purchasing, or at the very least checking out of your local library!

 The Big Orange Splot is a wonderful story about the importance of being true to yourself. (click on the link to watch a very cute reading of the book on Youtube!) When a Big Orange Splot is found on Mr. Plumbean's house (dropped there by a seagull carrying a can of orange paint!), Mr. Plumbean takes the opportunity not to repaint his house to look like everyone else's, but to paint the house of his dreams!    Eventually, he inspires all of his neighbors to do the same!

We had a talk about being individuals and how it is important to stay true to yourself and not just do something because it's the "in" thing or what's "cool".   

The book, written by Daniel Pinkwater in 1977, is still available.   I found it on Amazon for $4.99 in case you're interested!    Wouldn't it be fun to read the book to your children and then have them draw the house of THEIR dreams??  I'm thinking we might have to give this a try. 

~ Linking up to Amy @ Hope is the Word for Read-Aloud Thursday

Favorite Resource This Week

I always enjoy reading Susan's blog where people share their favorite resources.    Hands down, this week our favorite resource is Five In A Row.  I posted about it yesterday.    Even if you just print out a list of Five In A Row books to read this summer, or if you get the curriculum guide and do the full units, the books are literally gifts that keep giving for your child's entire life.    They have books that range from preschoolers up through pre-teens!  

Check it out - you won't be disappointed ~ and while you're at it, visit Learning All the Time to see others' favorite resources this week!  

 

Read-Aloud Thursday/How We Choose Our Read-Alouds

I'm happy to join in Read-Aloud Thursday @ Hope Is the Word. Each Friday all of the Read-Aloud Thursdays posts are compiled, and then you can see what everyone else is reading. So, be sure to check Amy's site on Friday for some wonderful ideas.

We try to read aloud AT LEAST two hours each day in our home - many days it is more. I consider reading aloud to be me reading to the children, the children listening to books on CD, or dad reading to us after dinner - increasingly, my nine year old daughter will read out loud to her six year old brother. That does my heart such good.

How do I choose read-alouds? Read-Alouds consist of books recommended in The Story of The World Activity Guide, library books my children have chosen, as well as books recommended in The New Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease. I also love to pull booklists from Sonlight, Five in a Row, and Ambleside Online. Per Charlotte Mason, we try not read "twaddle", and I'm finding my children are gravitating towards quality literature for children.

Our read-alouds this week:

Amon's Adventure:

Dad reads this story each night while we all listen. It is a beautiful family story for Lent. Last night granddaddy was visiting with us and listened as well.

Greek Myths for Young Children:

This book coincides with the chapters about Greece in The Story of The World, Volume 1. The myths are the perfect length for my six year old son - but still keep the interest of my older daughter. We highly recommend this book!

Mara, Daughter of the Nile:

This is a read-aloud with my daughter. We have been reading it for several weeks. It is a complex plot, but OH SO GOOD! It coincides with the Egyptian section in The Story of the World, Volume 1. We should be finishing this book soon.

The Amazing Magic Show:

I couldn't find an image for this book. My son picked it out at the library, and it's been a wonderful book for him - definitely a great book for boys!

The Legend of the Persian Carpet:

This book coincides with the chapter about Persia in The Story of the World, Volume 1. It is fairly short, but the illustrations are stunning and as we read I could see lightbulbs going off in my children's heads - since we had just read this history chapter the day before.

What have you been reading to your children this week?