Monday, March 1, 2010

Non-Fiction Monday: Are You Ready for Spring?

Are you ready for spring? I know I am! But I likely have at least another month to go before the buds start popping out and all this snow disappears for good! Until then, I think I'll hunker down and enjoy some books - starting with these four new releases from Lerner Publications! After exploring these books further, I centered all of the activities around them based on the 5 senses, as they are all greatly explored throughout the books. Hopefully you'll be able to make use of the activities, as well as the books!

Anderson, Sheila.
Are You Ready for Spring?
January 2010.
Lerner Publications.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.


I chose to feature Are You Ready for Spring? first because spring is just around the corner here in NY (I'm not excited or anything)! This is a wonderful resource for children and can be used with a wide age variety with modifications!

The book features a wealth of information, shared in the most basic manner about: sights and sounds of spring, spring weather, plants coming to life, the spring world, the impending summer season, and of course (and probably most interesting to children) the hatching of chicks! The photograph style illustrations allow children to easily connect with the material presented. Perhaps what I found most enjoyable about this book (and the entire series) is that you can use parts of the book alone without having to read it cover to cover (nice if you're working with young children trying to focus on one specific topic)!

Learning/Reading Activity:
  • Throughout the book, the five senses are explored as spring is described by using each of the five. Encourage your child(ren) to explore more ways in which their five senses are put to use during the Spring season. A worksheet for this activity can be downloaded here!
Anderson, Sheila.
Are You Ready for Summer?
January 2010.
Lerner Publications.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.


This is yet another wonderful book in the Our Four Seasons series, Are You Ready for Summer? briefly introduces children to some of the fun and explorations of the summer season.

Topics covered include: sights and sounds of summer, summer weather, how to stay cool, what the world looks like during summertime, and the impending fall season. For the science lover, details about the Summer Solstice are also included, allowing a great deal of room for further exploration!

Learning/Reading Activities:
  • Encourage your child(ren) to think ahead to the summer season. Ask them some things that they would like to do to be adventurous. What are some new "summery" foods you'd like to try? Is there anything about summer that you'd like to touch? How about smell? See? Hear? The worksheet for this activity can be found here!
Anderson, Sheila.
Are You Ready for Fall?
January 2010.
Lerner Publications.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.


No, I am NOT ready for fall! Can I please have spring and summer first? However, once spring and summer do roll around, this book will be the perfect introduction for children who are unsure of what to expect for the coming season - fall.

Similar topics are once again covered in this third edition in the Our Four Seasons series: sights and sounds, fall weather, fall activities, the fall world and the impending winter season. A description of why leaves change color is also included as the "bonus" section of this book - children are sure to love this, as they will likely easily relate to the happenings of fall as they are presented.

Learning/Reading Activity:
  • Discuss with your child Fall holidays (Halloween, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving). Choose one of these holidays and complete the 5 Senses activity sheet that surrounds the chosen holiday. The worksheet can be downloaded here.
Anderson, Sheila.
Are You Ready for Winter?
January 2010.
Lerner Publications.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.


Much like the topics that readers explored in Spring, Summer and Fall, readers will once again learn about: sights and sounds of winter, winter weather, the winter world and the next-up season. However, this time they'll also explore methods of staying warm during winter and what it means to hibernate!

As I'm pretty sure I made clear in each of the previous reviews, these books are absolutely wonderful resources! They're just the right length, with topics that can be explored further if children (or parents) so desire! There's much to be learned and that could be what I enjoyed most about these books!

Learning/Reading Activity:
  • Challenge your child(ren) to once again explore their five senses. This time, though, it's winter and (speaking from experience) snow days offer all kinds of activities and ways in which children can explore and have fun, while at the same time putting their 5 senses to good use! The worksheet for this activity can be downloaded here!


If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

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