Read & Romp Roundup: May/June 2014

Welcome to the first bimonthly Read & Romp Roundup. Thanks to those of you who submitted posts this time around. I also happened to stumble across a few additional posts related to picture books and dance, so I've included those as well. Hope you enjoy the roundup!

Danielle at This Picture Book Life shares a post about the picture book Bonjour Camille, which will be released in August from Chronicle Books. Dressed in a tutu and a top hat, Camille is a little girl with a whole lot of things to do! Check out Danielle's post to learn more about these "things" and to see several bold and energetic illustrations from the book.

Atelierstorytime shares a blog post by Anna Forlati -- the illustrator of the Italian picture book Yoga Piccolo Piccolo. Translated as "Small Small Yoga," Yoga Piccolo Picollo may not be available in an English version, but the gorgeous illustrations in this blog post will speak to everyone!

At Maria's Movers, Maria explores the wordless picture book Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle, which won a Caldecott Honor in 2014. Read her post to see how she used the book in a workshop for 6-year-olds about creating new dances!

Maria was also featured in the June Book to Boogie post at the Library as Incubator Project, where she shared movement ideas to go with the picture book Here Are My Hands. A month earlier, the May Book to Boogie post featured movement ideas to go with the picture book SPLASH! by Ann Jonas.

At the Dirigible Plum, Elizabeth reviews the nonfiction picture book Dancing to Freedom: The True Story of Mao's Last Dancer. The book tells the story of Li Cunxin, who grew up in rural China and was selected as a boy to move to Beijing to train as a ballet dancer. Interestingly, the book is written by the dancer himself. The illustrations by Anne Spudvilas, some of which you can see in Elizabeth's post, help tell his emotional story.

And last but not least, Reading Today Online shares a fun interview with Connie Schofield-Morrison and Frank Morrison -- the husband-and-wife team who created the new picture book I Got the Rhythm. They actually interview each other about creating the book. You don't want to miss it!

Read & Romp Roundup: April 2014

At long last, here is the April Read & Romp Roundup. I know the roundup is SUPER DUPER late this time, but to compensate I promise it's going to be a great one. Thanks to all who contributed!

Sandy at Unpacking the POWER of Picture Books starts us off with a bang! All in one post, she highlights the picture books A Dance like Starlight: One Ballerina's Dream, Bea at Ballet, On Your Toes: A Ballet ABC, and Oliver Button Is a Sissy. Plus, she includes links to other reviews of A Dance Like Starlight, as well as to an interview with the author and illustrator of Flora and the Flamingo. Thanks to Cathy at Bildebok from Cathy Ballou Mealey for letting me know about this post!

A Dance Like Starlight was a popular book in April, especially given that April was National Poetry Month and the book is written so poetically by author Kristy Dempsey. Rhapsody in Books shares a review of the book, including several passages of text and several stunning images by illustrator Floyd Cooper.

In April, Giselle at Kids Yoga Stories celebrated picture books by author and illustrator Denise Fleming. In addition to listing seven of her favorite books by Fleming, Giselle provides yoga, movement, and counting ideas to go with Count!, In the Tall, Tall Grass, and In the Small, Small Pond. 

The April Book to Boogie post at The Library as Incubator Project features guest blogger Jill Homan Randall, who provides movement ideas to go with the picture book Dance with Me by Charles R. Smith Jr. and Noah J. Zones. Short but spirited, the post is sure to inspire you to integrate this book into a lively story time!

Kathleen at Wild Things Yoga shares a yoga lesson plan for first and second graders based on the award-winning picture book biography The Man Who Walked Between the Towers. The lesson plan focuses on balance, perseverance, self-awareness, and risk-taking -- concepts that are also explored in the book, which tells the story of Philippe Petite, who walked along a wire between the twin towers of the World Trade Center in 1974. The post also provides links to a slideshow, news story, and mini-documentary about this amazing story!

If you love the character Gerald from the picture book Giraffes Can't Dance, you'll love Jayne's April post at ABCs of Reading. The post explores how you can work on the reading comprehension strategy of "making connections" through drama and creative movement, such as by having students travel through the story from Gerald's perspective. For example, "Try to run around, but buckle at the knees. What are your feelings when you fall?" This creative and insightful post also contains a link to an art lesson based on Giraffes Can't Dance...and more!

In her monthly roundup at Chapter Book Explorer, Amy features Five, Six, Seven, Nate! by Tim Federle. A sequel to Federle's Better Nate than Ever, this new chapter book continues Nate's journey to make it big on Broadway. "Take another hilarious and touching ride with Nate Foster as he learns to live in the Big Apple, masters his choreography, has his first kiss, and saves the show!" says Amy.

Read & Romp Roundup: January 2014

Here's the January Read & Romp Roundup for your weekend reading…especially those of you who are stuck inside because of the rain or snow. There are some real goodies in this roundup, so enjoy!

At OMazing Kids, Angela shares two new additions to her collection of snow-themed picture books. Ladybug Girl and the Big Snow is the newest book in the popular Ladybug Girl series by David Soman and Jacky Davis. And One-Dog Sleigh, by Mary Casanova and Ard Hoyt, is a fun rhyming book about a whole bunch of animals squeezing into a single sleigh. Read Angela's post for her ideas on which yoga poses go best with the books!

To keep with the winter theme, Yoga & Creative Movement with Elly provides some yoga-inspired winter activities to keep your little ones busy if they are cooped up inside. Her post includes a short poem about a melting snowman, which would be great inspiration for some creative movement!

Reshama at Stacking Books posted about the new picture book Penguin Cha-Cha by author and illustrator Kristi Valiant. The book's main character, Julia, is sure she saw the penguins at the zoo dancing, but they just don't seem to want to do it again…at least not while anyone is watching. Read Reshama's post to hear more about how Julia tries to get the penguins to dance and to see some gorgeous illustrations from the book!

I'm so happy that Marta from A Bilingual Baby joined us again, this time with a post -- in both English and Spanish -- about a unique picture book version of The Nutcracker. Published by Usborne Children's Books with illustrations by Anna Luraschi, this book is recommended for preschool-age children, who will especially love pressing the buttons on the right-hand side of the book to hear different Nutcracker tunes by Tchaikovsky!

Dance educator Maria Hanley wrote two blog posts related to picture books and creative movement in January. Her contribution to the Book to Boogie series for the Library as Incubator Project discusses how to incorporate movement into story time with the classic picture book The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd. On her own blog, Maria's Movers, Maria shares movement ideas to go with the rhyming picture book Hibernation Station by Michelle Meadows and Kurt Cyrus.

And last but not least, Renee at Mother Daughter Book Reviews is signing bloggers up for a blog tour in March 2014 for the new picture book Good Night, Animal World. The book is the newest in a series of Kids Yoga Stories written by yoga instructor Giselle Shardlow with illustrations by Emily Gedzyk. Sign up for the tour if you want to join the fun!

Read & Romp Roundup: November 2013

Here, finally, is the November Read & Romp Roundup for you to enjoy over the next few weeks. Like last year, I'll be skipping a December roundup because of the sheer business of this time of year, but look out for the next call for submissions in early January. Maria from Maria's Movers and I are also planning a "Read It. Move It. Share It" post for January. It's been a while since we've collaborated, so I'm looking forward to picking up our series again in the new year. Happy holidays, everyone!!

Marta from A Bilingual Baby features two yoga-inspired picture books by Giselle Shardlow and Emily Gedyzyk. The first is The ABC's of Australian Animals: An Interactive Kids Yoga Book. You can read all about it in Spanish on Marta's blog! The second is Sophia's Jungle Adventure: A Fun and Educational Kids Yoga Story. In her post, Marta includes a link to a YouTube video about the book, in which a young girl named Sophia explores Costa Rica through yoga poses. Marta, who has been using the books to do yoga with her son, joins us from Barcelona, Spain!

At Story Snug, based in Germany, Catherine features the all-time classic Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae and Guy Parker-Rees. She recommends using the book to stimulate discussions on friendship and originality. She also recommends buying the book's accompanying CD, which has what she refers to as a fun "calypso jungle rhythm"! On Catherine's post, you can also find out how you can use colored paper, finger paints, and wool to create portraits of the book's main character, Gerald. So adorable!

If you haven't heard about the new picture book Penguin Cha-Cha by Kristi Valiant, now is your chance! Here on her blog, Kristi discusses the importance of reading with children at home and offers tips to help cultivate the love of reading. The post also links to lots of information about Penguin Cha-Cha, including a free activity kit that goes with the book. Congratulations on the book's launch, Kristi!

In November, Angela at OMazing Kids hosted a giveaway of the new picture book Colors for Zena by Monica Wellington. Although the giveaway's no longer open, you can still read all about this book plus two others by the same author/illustrator: Apple Farmer Annie and the coloring book Color and Cook Healthy Snacks. In her post, Angela shares all the reasons she likes these books. She also shares a collection of yoga poses to go along with Apple Farmer Annie!

Elly from Little Friends shares a yoga and creative movement class inspired by the Nutcracker. Intended for children ages 5 to 12, Elly's lesson plan goes chronologically through the ballet and presents yoga poses to go along with most of the main scenes, including the party scene, the battle with the Mouse King, and the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. With photos and musical recommendations to go with almost every pose, this post is a perfect one to enjoy over the holidays!

Read & Romp Roundup -- September 2013

Fall is slowly creeping in, with the leaves starting to change color and Halloween just around the corner. Thanks for all of your submissions to the September Read & Romp Roundup, which includes plenty of picture books -- both classic and new -- to keep the little ones moving as the cold air sets in this season. Enjoy!

Elly from Yoga with Elly shares two posts with us this month! In the first post, her beautiful writing explains how the classic book Harold and the Purple Crayon sparked her imagination as a child and how she strives to encourage that same magical sense of imagination in her young yoga students. She also includes a full lesson plan for the book, including both yoga and creative movement ideas.

Elly's second post features the new picture book Some Monsters Are Different by David Milgrim, including the lesson plan she used with the book in a recent yoga class for 4- and 5-year-olds. The book -- which addresses differences in appearance, style, and other characteristics -- was perfect for her weekly theme on making friends.

At OMazing Kids, Angela shares another new book -- A Little Bit of Oomph! by Barney Saltzberg. "It teaches the valuable lesson of throwing your heart into whatever you're doing and trying just a little bit harder -- because with a little extra effort and a little bit of oomph, you can make anything beautiful," says Angela. Check out her post to see the activity sheets she created to go with the book, which "moves" all by itself. Lots of flaps, spinning circles, pull tabs, and more!

Zoe at Playing by the Book shares a picture book by debut author and illustrator Alice V. Lickens that is sure to get your little ones up and moving. In Zoe's words, Can You Dance to the Boogaloo? is "essentially an illustrated poem about the joys of making music and dancing." Definitely check out Zoe's post for lots of fun surprises, including videos and ideas for making musical instruments at home!

Barb at Bookworm Yoga features a different picture book each month, and Exclamation Mark (also known as "!") by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld was her September pick. Her post includes a sequence of yoga poses to go with the themes and phrases from the book: exclamation mark, full stop, deflated, and "I've got it!"

Children's author Susanna Leonard Hill shares a wonderful interview with debut author Charlotte Gunnufson, who's picture book Halloween Hustle was just published in September. Hear all about Charlotte's journey to publication and the creative ways she is helping to market the book. Plus check out the book's awesome trailer!

And finally, over at the Library as Incubator Project, the Book to Boogie post for September was written by dance educator Liz Vacco about the picture book Fortunately by Remy Charlip. Liz has been using this classic book with her young dance students for years, so she has lots of ideas to share for integrating movement into a reading of the book at story time!

Read & Romp Roundup -- July 2013

June and July have been super busy months for me and my family. We just finished a cross-country move -- from the Washington DC Area to the San Francisco Bay Area -- a couple of weeks ago. Unpacking is taking forever, but as you can see from the photo above, I do have my priorities straight!

Our 6-year-old and 8-year-old girls have their chapter books shelved in their bedside tables, so this whole bookcase in their room is reserved for picture books. We even have a whole shelf devoted to dance-related picture books, including a nonfiction section!

So, I know I am late again this month, but at least I have our move as a good excuse this time. Hope you enjoy the July roundup!

Veronica at Love & Life & Learning reviews the picture book Hop! Plop! by Corey Rosen Schwartz and Tali Klein. By the title of this book, which is about an elephant and a mouse finding a way to play despite their size difference, I imagine it is full of movement!

Angela at OMazing Kids has two posts for us this month. In her first post, she features her five favorite books for inspiring kids creativity with art and movement. Maybe you recognize some of the book covers from the image above? But either way, check out Angela's post to see why she picked the books she did!

In Angela's second post at OMazing Kids, she features The Pout-Pout Fish and its sequel The Pout-Pout Fish and the Big-Big Dark, both by Deborah Diesen and Daniel Hanna. As usual, Angel is full of great ideas for using these books in kids yoga classes and speech-language therapy sessions. See how she suggests using them to infuse lessons about the power of attitude, words, and friendship!

At Stacking Books, Reshama reviews a picture book biography about another form of movement -- swimming! America's Champion Swimmer by David Adler and Terry Widener tells the story of Gertrude Ederle, who attempted multiple times to swim the English Channel more than 75 years ago. Make sure to read Reshama's review, but it looks like you will have to read the whole book to find out if Gertrude was successful!

To celebrate National Dance Day on July 27,  Joy at the School Library Journal shared a list of 12 books "to inspire and inform young dancers and celebrate the joy of movement." A fabulous and well-rounded list for preschoolers through middle-graders!

In response to the School Library Journal's list, Teresa at A Rep Reading published her own list of dance books to celebrate National Dance Day. The post includes a sneak peek into My Friend Maya Loves to Dance by Cheryl Willis Hudson and Eric Velasquez. It also includes some of my favorite picture books!

Last month, I announced the start of a new series by the Library as Incubator Project called Book to Boogie, which pairs great picture books with movement and dance activities for preschool story time. The most recent Book to Boogie post was on How to Be a Cat by Nikki McClure. Amy from Picture-Book-a-Day wrote the post!

Read & Romp Roundup -- June 2013

Are you ready for the June Read & Romp Roundup? It includes pirates, giants, and many more characters dancing through the pages of picture books. Hope you enjoy the submissions!

At A Path of Light, Thereza shares her yoga ideas to go along with the picture book Never, Ever Shout in a Zoo by Karma Wilson and Doug Cushman. A bear, a moose, gorillas, penguins, and an elephant are all involved. From her time as an enrichment teacher in a Montessori school, Thereza learned how important it is to pick a fun book to engage children!

Angela at OMazing Kids shares a pirate-themed yoga lesson for kids. One of my favorite activities in the lesson is using yoga mats to roll the kids up "like a treasure map" if they want. Of course another is doing yoga poses inspired by the picture book There Was an Old Pirate Who Swallowed a Fish. Arrgh, mateys!

Zoe at Playing by the Book hosts a monthly roundup of children's books on specific topics. The topic for the month of June? You guessed it. Dance! Check out Zoe's post to see the 29 submissions to her roundup. Almost all of them are picture books!

I so want to read Giant Dance Party, the debut picture book of author Betsy Bird, who is the youth materials collection specialist at the New York Public Library. In this post from the School Library Journal, associate editor Shelley Diaz interviews Betsy about her path to publication and beyond.

Reshama at Stacking Books features the picture book The Gardener by Sarah Stewart and David Small. Full of movement and activity in the garden, this book might work well for those of you in warm climates with flowers in bloom!

In case you missed it, the Library as Incubator Project launched a monthly blog series called "Book to Boogie" to pair picture books with dance and movement activities for story time. The inaugural post highlights The Museum by Susan Verde and Peter H. Reynolds. You can read the post here!

Read & Romp Roundup -- November 2012

The last few weeks have been a little crazy for me, but I finally have the November Read & Romp Roundup ready to share with you. Lots of picture books with winter and holiday themes this month, so I hope you'll enjoy the post. And thanks, as always, to everyone who contributed. I couldn't do this without you!

With Nutcracker season in full swing, Zoe at Playing by the Book shares reviews of two Nutcracker books for children. First is Ella Bella Ballerina and the Nutcracker, which is part of a wonderful series of ballet-themed books by James Mayhew. Zoe also reviews E.T.A. Hoffmann's Nutcracker, which is illustrated by Maurice Sendak and was just re-released this year. Both are gorgeous books!

Over at Picture-Book-a-Day, Amy reviews the 1993 Caldecott-winning picture book Mirette on the High Wire by Emily Arnold McCully. As the title implies, one of the themes of the book is high wire walking. See Amy's post to learn more about the book and some activities to go along with it, including movement activities to practice balance.

Amy also reviews the picture book biography Monsieur Marceau by Leda Schubert and Gerard DuBois. Born in France in 1993, Marceau is known not only as a famous mime but also as a person who helped save the lives of many Jewish children during World War II. Amy talks more about this interesting man, provides links to videos of mimes, and suggests movement activities to go with the book.

Amy always has great descriptions and ideas to go along with the books she highlights on Picture-Book-a-Day, and her post on Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring is no exception. Read her post to learn more about this book on the collaboration among dancer and choreographer Martha Graham, composer Aaron Copeland, and set designer Isamu Noguchi. 

Angela at Omazing Kids is sharing multiple picture books on her blog this month, too! First up is her favorite moose book to use when she teaches yoga for kids -- Agate: What Good is a Moose? by Joy Morgan Dey and Nikki Johnson. Click here to read Angela's post, see images from the book, and find out which yoga poses they might inspire.

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the Grinch, right? For Angela at Omazing Kids, it seems that Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the Grinch AND yoga! Check out her blog post on How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, which includes yoga poses to go with the book, printable yoga cards, and links to other winter-themed posts on her blog.

Last but not least, Maria from Maria's Movers shares movement ideas to go along with the classic picture book The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. Her imaginative post will give you plenty of ideas for allowing your little ones to experience the snow, whether or not there is actually snow where you live!