How to Share with a Bear ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

Meet clever, resourceful, and kind Thomas

By Angie Quantrell @AngieQuantrell

How to Share with a Bear
By Eric Pinder
Pictures by Stephanie Graegin
(Farrar Straus Giroux, 2015)

How to Share with a Bear is an adorable book!

One day, Thomas made a cozy cave with cushions, pillows, and blankets. It was so warm and comfy! Thomas ran to get the flashlight so he could see to read in his cave and when he got back, someone with bright shiny eyes was in his cave.

It was a bear!

Throughout the rest of the story, Thomas strategized to lure the bear out of the cave and get himself back in the cave before the bear returned.

Thomas was very inventive in his bear-removal-plans and used his bear background information to plan tricky attempts to reclaim his cave.

At last, Thomas succeeded. The bear began to cry, as there was no room for both of them in the cave.

Thomas, ever kind and resourceful, enlarged the cave and invited the bear in to read - together.

How to Share with a Bear is delightful! I love the two characters and how Thomas solves his problem. A surprise ending will thrill young readers.

KID KANDY:

Make a Cave

1. Read How to Share with a Bear.

2. Follow the directions at the end of the book to make your own cave (pillows, blankets, cushions).

3. Gather your favorite books and a flashlight.

4. Be kind like Thomas and invite a bear (or your brother, sister, or friend) to join you in the cave.

Sharing is so much fun!

Rude Cakes ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

Funny book about manners

By Angie Quantrell @AngieQuantrell

Rude Cakes
By Rowboat Watkins
(Chronicle Books, 2015)

I cracked up when I read Rude Cakes.

Seriously, talking cakes? Yes. There are even cakes that have good manners and those who need lessons in being polite and friendly.

Youngsters will enjoy the antics of rude cakes as they read Rude Cakes. Readers may even learn about some of the social graces. The important question is: Do rude cakes ever change?

KID KANDY:

Rude Kid Role Play

Wouldn't it be fun to act like a rude cake?

Allow your child to pretend to be the opposite of a well-mannered child by acting rude through role play. Emphasize that it is fun to pretend, but for real situations, it is never kind to be rude.

If you want to keep it contained to the make-believe in Rude Cakes, take turns acting out the different characters as you read the book together. That makes role playing a win-win activity.


Question of the Day: What is the hardest 'good manners rule' for you to remember to do?

Maybe it is remembering to say please and thank you, covering your mouth when you cough, or picking your nose at the table (ewww!).

I'd love to hear about your most difficult rule.