Monday, March 2, 2015

Recommended Picture Book: A Kiss Means I Love You

Title: A Kiss Means I Love You

Author: Kathryn Madeline Allen

Illustrator: Eric Futran

Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company, 2012

Age: 2 - 6

Topic: Stories in Rhyme, Communication,

Opening: A kiss means I love you, a wave means hello, a smile means I’m happy, a tug means let’s go!

Book Summary: Explores the meaning of different actions, expressions, words and sounds, from a kiss and a clap to a wave and a yawn.

Resources:
A fun thing to do is allow children to make up meanings for their own actions, expressions and sounds.
Guess the meaning: children can guess the meaning for various actions, expressions and sounds, like wiggle, tickle, growl, stomp and wink.
A common core guideline for this book can be found here. It is geared for 2-6 year olds.
For much younger audiences, try having them act out the actions with you as you read the story.

Why I Like This Book:

This is a really fun way to engage children in learning how to understand all kinds of communication. Since communication is not limited to speaking, it teaches children various ways they can express their feelings and wishes as well as understand what others want or feel by looking and listening then interpreting those actions, expressions and sounds. The use of photography makes it wonderful and realistic.