Everett's Learning to Read: Top 5

Everett has definitely become quite the little bookworm!  His favorite activity right now is to learn new words and how to spell them.  This makes storytime that much more fun :)

Although he's still in love with some books that I swear he'll never tire of (Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and The Napping House being two of them), we've been trying to get him some new books and tools that focus more on words and/or repetition to learn new words, sounds and spelling.  Some of the favorite we've tried out are:

1. Mouse Makes Words by Kathryn Heling : This book is a level one beginning readers title. Everett is still a bit rough on books with "real" pages, but he's getting better, so beginning reader books are worth the small investment.  The "story" is all about a mouse who loves changing around letters to make new words.  For example, substituting P for C changes "cup" into "pup," a great introduction into phonics!

2. Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen : If you've never read "Pout Pout Fish," you should pick up a copy and read through it next time you're at the book store.  It's a super cute story about a fish that believes all he can do is spread the "dreary-wearies" because of the way his lips pout all of the time.  That is until someone comes along and shows him that his lips are perfect for smooching!  There is a lot of repetition in this book and new undersea critters to learn... but the best part is, the ending gives a great excuse to cover your little one with smooches! :)

3. Now I'm Reading Pre-Reader: My World : I've been wanting to get Ev started on some phonics series books.  Everyone recommended the Bob Books, but this series seemed to be more colorful and exciting when I was showing Everett options.  This set includes 10 storybooks, a book for parents, and stickers.  Right now we're mostly reading the books for fun and going through some of the "words to know" in the back of the book.  We're not doing the official sticker program, because Ev's still a bit young.  But, the illustrations are cute and if Ev takes to them I just might have to pick up more of these phonics books!

4. Flash Kids Sight Words Flash Cards : The Easter Bunny brought Everett a few sets of flash cards this year including this sight words set.  We've had the LeapReader Junior Letter Flash Cards for a while now and he loves playing with them, so we upgraded to flash cards with words.  He is constantly asking Eric and I to do flash cards with him.  He likes to spell out the letters and then either sound out or ask what word it is. 

5. The Endless Reader App: Okay, so obviously this isn't a book, but this app is AWESOME.  It shows a word and then mixes up the letters so Everett has to put the letters back in the right order (they shadow what letter goes where so your child doesn't have to memorize spelling right away).  Then the app uses that word in a sentence and scrambles certain words to be put back into the sentence.  I downloaded the free sample (6 words) to see how Ev would like it... and he LOVED it.  There are several levels you can purchase, and I'm not going to lie, it's not a cheap app, but it has already helped Everett learn how to spell and read several words.  Plus, it's a great game for him to play if Eric and I have to get dinner ready or need Ev distracted for a few minutes.  I'm not sure if this app is available on Android, but we have it on our Apple products.

What books and tools have you used to help your little one learn to read?  There are so many things out there that it's almost overwhelming to choose the best products, but we've basically just been testing certain things and if they work, we'll stick to 'em!

I'm back!! And with some science-fiction reads!

I cannot believe I haven't actively posted since November!  Boo to that.  We've had a lot of things going on in our little family which hasn't allowed a lot of free time for blogging (or reading sadly).  I do miss reading and reviewing titles though and am going to try harder to post and share!  
As I'm sure some of you read on my Facebook page, Eric and I are expecting a little girl this June :)  Between getting ready for her arrival and Everett being a very energetic two year old, I probably still won't be able to blog nearly as much as I want, but I'm hoping to at least keep this more current than I have.

I thought I'd start with a post on a couple science-fiction titles I've enjoyed recently.  I've actually been on quite a sci-fi kick lately and have discovered a few awesome authors in the process.

First: For the month of March, my book club chose to read the book The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen.  

Overview of the book:  A young woman. A kingdom. An evil enemy.  A birthright foretold . . .
With the arrival of her nineteenth birthday, Princess Kelsea Raleigh Glynn is ascending to her rightful place as the new Queen of the Tearling. Surrounded by enemies, including an evil sorceress possessed of dark magic, the young ruler stands little chance of success. But Kelsea possesses fearsome weapons of her own, including the Tear sapphire, a jewel of immense power and magic. As an epic war draws near, Kelsea's quest to save her kingdom and meet her destiny begins—a wondrous journey of self-discovery and a trial by fire that will make her a legend...if she can survive.

When I started reading this book, I was confused why it was categorized general sci-fi rather than YA... then I kept reading and found out why.  It took me a while to get into the world that Johansen had set up (is this meant to be futuristic? In the past?... wasn't quite sure), but once I understood what was going on and the characters developed a bit, I really enjoyed this book.  I like that the reader can never quite be sure who is "good" and who is "bad," or who Kelsea can really trust.  This book definitely has some dark and somewhat graphic scenes, so I wouldn't recommend it for an immature audience.  However, I do like that that violence and the turmoil that the characters face is not necessarily out of the realm of reality.  Magic has its place in this book (and I think the second book will have even more), but the struggles and the emotions within the story are very human.  All in all, I would give this book 3.5/5 stars.  I am looking forward to reading the sequel The Invasion of the Tearling when it's released in June.

Second: One day while shelving books at work, I came across a cover/title that caught my eye: A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab.

Overview of the book:  Kell is one of the last Travelers—rare magicians who choose a parallel universe to visit.   Grey London is dirty, boring, lacks magic, ruled by mad King George. Red London is where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London is ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne. People fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. Once there was Black London - but no one speaks of that now.
Officially, Kell is the Red Traveler, personal ambassador and adopted Prince of Red London, carrying the monthly correspondences between royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell smuggles for those willing to pay for even a glimpse of a world they’ll never see. This dangerous hobby sets him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She robs him, saves him from a dangerous enemy, then forces him to another world for her 'proper adventure'.
But perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, Kell and Lila will first need to stay alive — trickier than they hoped. 

This book had me hooked from page one.  I don't know how V.E. (Victoria) Schwab does it, but her writing is addicting.  Not to mention the characters and world-building are incredible.  I'm almost afraid to say too much about this book, because I might end up going on and on and giving away too much.  I honestly think I'm just going to say, buy this book, read it, and then sit impatiently with me until next February when the sequel is due out.  Or better yet, get curious about V.E. Schwab like I did and pick up her YA books or her other sci-fi title Vicious.  I give this book 5/5 stars... no contest.

This month our book club is sticking to the sci-fi theme and reading The Martian by Andy Weir.  I'm not quite finished with it yet, but it will be included in my next round of reviews :)  

What are some good sci-fi books you've read?  Any that surprised you?

I hope you are all doing well, and it feels so good to post a short blog again!  Thank you for visiting and happy reading! :)