Our holiday would not be complete without Jan Brett. Welcome to the December edition of the Virtual Book Club for Kids. I am so happy that Jan Brett is our author of choice this month. Many years ago, when my husband (then fiance) and I were celebrating our very first Christmas in our very first apartment, I went out to the book store to make a purchase. I needed to find a copy of "The Night Before Christmas". As a child, we read this book EVERY Christmas eve. It was a tradition that I wanted to bring into our new home and eventually share with our children. I was looking for a edition of the book that was both classic and beautifully illustrated. No surprise that I landed on Jan Brett's version.
The beauty of Jan Brett's books is found in the way that she fills the pages with such glorious detail. While reading her books, you can follow along with not only the main storyline, but also discover a whole different story within the illustrations in the margins of the pages. I know that when we read "The Night Before Christmas," my daughters are always on the hunt for the little pug dog on each page...he seems to hide everywhere. Brett's detailed artwork inspired me to create a fun game to go along with her book "The Three Snow Bears"; here's what we came up with.
First, I asked my eldest daughter to go through the book and scan the illustrations for items that my younger daughter and I could search for. She looked through every single page and created a great list of scavenger hunt type items.
Then, my girls sat down and read the book. Not only did they read the book they also played their very own custom game of eye spy. It was amazingly fun to do. Lots of giggling as they searched and searched.
Finally, my younger daughter decided that she needed to turn the tables on her sister and she sat down with the book and made her very own list of items to search for. Not only did this activity have the girls reading the book, "The Three Snow Bears" it also had them exploring the artwork. What a fun way to learn!
Now, it's time to see what books and activities everyone else has been inspired to do. The great thing about Jan Brett is she has created such an amazing catalogue of books, many of which are about the holidays. I cannot wait to check out the other blogs that are participating in the book club.
Toddler Approved - Rainy Day Mum - Adventures in Reading with Kids - 3 Dinosaurs - Royal Baloo -The Educators' Spin On It - Inspiration Laboratories - Pleasantest Thing - Edventures with Kids - Two Big Two Little - Playing With Words 365 - Kitchen Counter Chronicles - Outlaw Mom - Mommy and Me Book Club - Crafty Moms Share - No Twiddle Twaddle - The Good Long Road - Ready. Set. Read 2 Me -Reading Confetti - Mama Smiles - Juggling with Kids- Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas - Creekside Learning -Creative Family Fun - The Usual Mayhem - Teach Preschool - PlayDrMom - CraftoArt - Here Come the Girls - Being a Conscious Parent - Smiling like Sunshine - Crayon Freckles - Train Up a Child - Smile Play Learn
Do you have a post about a Jan Brett book? Feel free to link it up below or come by the book club's Facebook page and share your experiences over there. We can't wait to see what you have been reading and how you and your children have been creating.
