I don't like reading Dr Seuss, especially out loud to kids. There. I said it. Seems unkind of me to say it on his birthday and all, but I did it.
However, it doesn't seem too unkind of me ... in this PBS article When asked about writing for children, Seuss has said: “I don’t write for children. I write for people.”
In my opinion (this is mine, no one else's) it becomes quite obvious that they are not written for children specifically, but for people in general. They are so long that it almost becomes a chore to read them out loud. And sometimes they just feel so cumbersome and unruly.
For those of you who know me, you know that I am a very different kind of reader. I love extremely silly (which, yes, some of Dr Seuss' are), but also quick and to the point. I want to keep kids entranced and since their attention span is (not always, but often) not very long, I want to keep them while I can.
That is why my favorite kids author is Mo Willems. His books want to have the kids interact with adults. They are written for people too, but in a different kind of way.
However, it doesn't seem too unkind of me ... in this PBS article When asked about writing for children, Seuss has said: “I don’t write for children. I write for people.”
In my opinion (this is mine, no one else's) it becomes quite obvious that they are not written for children specifically, but for people in general. They are so long that it almost becomes a chore to read them out loud. And sometimes they just feel so cumbersome and unruly.
For those of you who know me, you know that I am a very different kind of reader. I love extremely silly (which, yes, some of Dr Seuss' are), but also quick and to the point. I want to keep kids entranced and since their attention span is (not always, but often) not very long, I want to keep them while I can.
That is why my favorite kids author is Mo Willems. His books want to have the kids interact with adults. They are written for people too, but in a different kind of way.
We Are In a Book!
Mo Willems
Summary
Gerald is careful. Piggie is not. Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can.
Gerald and Piggie are best friends.
In We Are in a Book Gerald and Piggie discover the joy of being read. But what will happen when the book ends?
Using vocabulary perfect for beginning readers (and vetted by an early-learning specialist), Mo Willems has crafted a mind-bending story that is even more interactive than previous Elephant & Piggie adventures. Fans of the Geisel Award-winning duo won't be able to put this book down--literally.
Just learned from Mo Willems' blog: Q: If Elephant's name is Gerald, why doesn't Piggie have a name?
A: Piggie does have a name. Her name is "Piggie". She was named that because when she was born she looked just like a little Piggie. Also, Madonna, Beyonce, and Cher were taken.
"Elephant Gerald" is named after my favorite singer (say it fast).
Mo Willems
Summary
Gerald is careful. Piggie is not. Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can.
Gerald and Piggie are best friends.
In We Are in a Book Gerald and Piggie discover the joy of being read. But what will happen when the book ends?
Using vocabulary perfect for beginning readers (and vetted by an early-learning specialist), Mo Willems has crafted a mind-bending story that is even more interactive than previous Elephant & Piggie adventures. Fans of the Geisel Award-winning duo won't be able to put this book down--literally.
Just learned from Mo Willems' blog: Q: If Elephant's name is Gerald, why doesn't Piggie have a name?
A: Piggie does have a name. Her name is "Piggie". She was named that because when she was born she looked just like a little Piggie. Also, Madonna, Beyonce, and Cher were taken.
"Elephant Gerald" is named after my favorite singer (say it fast).
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
Mo Willems
Summary
When a bus driver takes a break from his route, a very unlikely volunteer springs up to take his place-a pigeon But you've never met one like this before. As he pleads, wheedles, and begs his way through the book, children will love being able to answer back and decide his fate.
In his hilarious picture book debut, popular cartoonist Mo Willems perfectly captures a preschooler's temper tantrum.
Mo Willems
Summary
When a bus driver takes a break from his route, a very unlikely volunteer springs up to take his place-a pigeon But you've never met one like this before. As he pleads, wheedles, and begs his way through the book, children will love being able to answer back and decide his fate.
In his hilarious picture book debut, popular cartoonist Mo Willems perfectly captures a preschooler's temper tantrum.
I also like the bear books by Karma Wilson a lot. Her books, similar to Dr Seuss' books have a certain rhythm and rhyme, which is nice to read aloud. However, like Mo Willem's books, there is also a lot of interaction to them, so that the kids can become part of the book, which I think is super important.
Bear Snores On
Karma Wilson
Summary
On a cold winter night many animals gather to party in the cave of a sleeping bear, who then awakes and protests that he has missed the food and the fun.
Karma Wilson
Summary
On a cold winter night many animals gather to party in the cave of a sleeping bear, who then awakes and protests that he has missed the food and the fun.
So now its your turn to interact! Who are your favorite authors? Is Dr Seuss one of them? Let us know!
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