Guess what *I* got....

[conuly]

I GOT THE NEW ELEPHANT AND PIGGIE BOOK! YAY! GO ME!

Here's the question now: Can Ana read a book she's never seen before, ever? Only one way to find out.

The little author bio at the back of the book tells me that, apparently, Mo Willems has up and moved to Massachusetts. What was wrong with Brooklyn??? *sigh* Oh well. We've still got his books!

I may well splurge on the entire collection. Twice. Once to give to Ana, and once to give to her school at the end of the year. I'm *so* tempted.

Also? Anybody willing to make me some Elephant and Piggie icons? Any scene is worth it. Even just text-only icons, if you have the books handy. I love these books. (And they really are easy to read! I can whip them off in seconds!)

Also again: Is it bad to rehearse how you read a book aloud before you read it aloud? I mean, is that like uberly geeky or something, especially as you're just reading to your own beloveds? Or is it just good practice?

Edit: Must show this to Ana. Remind me.

Comments

[elenbarathi.livejournal.com]

LOL, what it is, is uberly teacherly. I still read childrens' books the way I was taught in my college Children's Lit class: hold the book open in one hand, spread for the children to see clearly, and read sort of sideways/upside down, using the other hand for dramatic gestures to enhance the illustrations, and doing 'voices' for all the different characters.

It's Performance Art, and all performance is better if you rehearse beforehand; also it's easier to read upside down if you've already read the tale right-side-up. Of course, with your two cuties, you're probably reading with one snuggled up on either side, which is easier, and also cozier.

Your own beloveds deserve your best performances - who else could matter more? They're going to remember your reading with them for the rest of their days, so make it awesome for them, and for you too. *hugs* Enjoy!

[conuly]

Ana told me the other day that she likes the way I read the best because I do the best voices. Which is funny to me because I don't think I do *any* voices - I can't keep them all straight! I just try to overemote as much as possible and glare at the kids to make them help me with sound effects, and then I call it a day, LOL.

But Ana's practicing complimenting people lately. I have no doubt that, should it come up, she'll tell anybody, up to and including her sister, that they read the best.

My other hand is torn between dramatic gestures and carefully following the text as I speak so that both of them get practice associating letters with spoken words.

Of course, with your two cuties, you're probably reading with one snuggled up on either side, which is easier, and also cozier.

Yup. They always want to sit on my lap, but then they squabble, so forget that.

Your own beloveds deserve your best performances - who else could matter more? They're going to remember your reading with them for the rest of their days, so make it awesome for them, and for you too. *hugs* Enjoy!

That's a good point. I'm going to write that down somewhere where I can remember it.