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Read Across America Week 2022 With The Hop Ice Cream & Read to Succeed!

2/27/2022

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We are celebrating all things READING during Read Across America Week (Feb 28 - Mar 6, 2022) with our friends at The Hop Ice Cream!

Check out our top 5 ice cream-inspired tips for celebrating reading every day!

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THIS WEEK ONLY!
(Feb 28 - Mar 6, 2022)

Make a purchase in The Hop’s online store and a portion of proceeds will go directly to community-powered literacy programming at R2S. Pints, ice cream cakes, merchandise, and more - don’t miss this unique opportunity to support a great local literacy organization and get your hands on delicious ice cream!
Shop Now

TIP 1: EXPLORE NEW FLAVORS!

Do you enjoy trying new flavors of ice cream? The Hop Ice Cream has you covered with Cardacoco Latte, King Cake, Royal Cherry Cheesecake Crumble, Punk’s Not Dead (Pumpkin), Girl Scout Thin Mint, Lavender Vanilla, Unicorn Poop (wildberry with Nerds candy), and more!

Similarly, it’s always a fun idea to explore a variety of book genres. Outside of incredible picture books, both fiction and nonfiction, unique genres of children’s books include:

  • Kid-friendly mysteries
  • Fantasy fiction
  • Children’s poetry
  • Great biographies
  • Animal books
  • Science fiction
  • Collections or box sets, i.e., Magic Tree House, Tristan Strong, Harry Potter, etc.

No matter what type of book your child reads, thoughtful comprehension questions play an important role in deepening their experience and understanding of the text. Check out this free reading comprehension guide from Read to Succeed with suggestions for fiction and nonfiction.

TIP 2: TRY NEW TOPPINGS!

Toppings are not just a great way to jazz up her favorite scoop or two; they also create a brand new experience with your sweet treat.

Try fun extension activities to extend your child’s experience with a book! Extension activities might look like a craft, writing exercise, a field trip, etc. Some go-to expert ideas include:

  • Beginning, middle, end - write and draw what you heard/read in the beginning, middle, and end of a story.
  • Create new endings for stories - if you were the main character in the story, what would you have done the same or differently?
  • Create your own illustrations for the story - re-read and draw along!
  • Explore questions and outcomes - if you could speak with the author of this story, what would you ask? What would you want to tell them?
  • Make connections in the text:
    • Text-to-text (Does this remind you of another book you’ve read? What are some similarities and/or differences?)
    • Text-to-self (How do you see yourself in this story? Have you shared an experience you can relate to this story?)
    • Text-to-world (Is there anything you see in this story that you can connect to your real world?)
    • Field trip the topic (Was your book about nature? Go outside and explore with a nature walk! Did your book highlight creativity and art? Visit a culturally-responsive art gallery in town. You get the idea!)

Discover more inspiration for extension activities on Pinterest, Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT), Education.com, and Reading Rockets.

We are also big fans of the Florida Center for Reading Research (FCRR) Student Center Activities, which offer hundreds of printable phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary activities kids love!

TIP 3: TRY A NEW VESSEL

Prefer a cup to a cone? No worries! No matter how you serve it, reading can always be meaningful, engaging, and fun. Some of our favorite ways to eat up our favorite books include:
  • Physical books - check out one of Buncombe County Libraries’ 13 branches across the county for free access to not just books but movies, music, e-books, family programming, historical records, and more.

    Did you know? All Asheville City Schools and Buncombe County Schools students can use their Student ID number to access and borrow public library books and resources! Learn more

  • Audio Books - listening to stories helps build oral comprehension skills and exposes children to new words (helpful for growing vocabulary). Access free audio books through your local library or online apps like Audible, Libby, Hoopla, and Google Play.

  • E-books - this modern medium found its heyday during the COVID pandemic as many families turned to online reading resources for remote learning. Not only can you find free e-books through the NC Digital Kids Library, but free eBooks through Kobo, Epic,

    *Don’t miss Free Online Reading Resources

  • Reading apps - reading and early literacy apps like Duolingo ABC and Star Fall make it easy to practice essential early literacy skills on-the-go or during designated screen time. Often gamified and targeted to specific skills practice, reading apps are

    *Don’t miss 8 Great Free Reading Apps for Kids

TIP 4: MIX IT UP!

Sundaes, shakes, ice cream cakes - there are lots of ways to incorporate ice cream into a new and exciting treat. Find unique and creative ways to infuse everyday family activities with elements of reading and writing.

  • Make grocery lists together
  • Write snail mail for family and friends and go to the post office together
  • Play games with reading elements (i.e., Pokemon Go, Exploding Kittens, Scrabble Jr., etc)
  • Read recipes and cook together
  • Read road signs, maps, and license plates when on the road

    *Don’t miss 15 Fun Ways to Weave Reading Into Family Time

TIP 5: GO BACK TO A FAVORITE AUTHOR!

Is The Hop your family’s go-to ice cream maker in Asheville? Ours too!

Similar to trying lots of offerings from The Hop (hello, Monday Milkshakes!), you might find a fabulous author with lots of children’s and YA books under their belt. Some of our favorites include:
  • Derrick Barnes: Crown, Ode to the Fresh Cut, King of Kindergarten, I Am Every Good Thing, Ruby and the Booker Boys
  • Vanessa Brantley Newton: Grandma’s Purse, Becoming Vanessa, Just Like Me, Let Freedom Sing, Don’t Let Auntie Mabel Bless the Table
  • Jp Miller: Black Stories Matter Series, Leaders Like Us Series, Careers in the Military
  • Kwame Mbalia: Tristan Strong (trilogy), Black Boy Joy (17 stories celebrating Black boyhood), and The Last Gate of the Emperor duology
  • Jacqueline Woodson: The Day You Begin, This Is the Rope, Each Kindness, Pecan Pie Baby, We Had a Picnic This Sunday Past, and more!
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11 Children's Books About LOVE Featuring Black Characters

2/3/2022

3 Comments

 
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Celebrate LOVE this month with our hand-selected children’s books featuring Black main characters. Dive into stories about loving our family, ourselves, our communities, and our world.

Check out our list below and leave a comment with a children’s book you love that’s all about love!

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“Hair Love” by Matthew A. Cherry, illustrated by Vashti Harrison
“Hair Love” originated as an animated short about Zuri who wanted her Dad to give her an extra special hairstyle for her mom to see once she got home. This book celebrates natural hair, kinks, coils, curls, and the love of family that keeps us going.

Check out a free read aloud from Story time Books here.

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“I Am Enough” by Grace Byers, illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo
Love rings through every page of "I Am Enough" by creating a celebration of differences. Byers’ message to readers is to embrace everyone with kindness regardless of ability, belief, or appearance. Uniqueness is a great strength!

Click here for a free read aloud from Grace Byers herself.

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“I Love You Too” by Ziggy Marley, illustrated by A.G. Jatkowska
Like your favorite song playing right when you want it to, "I Love You Too" is both rhythmically and lyrically rich. This book celebrates expressing love with no boundaries and affirms that there is no love like the one shared with family and friends.

Listen to the rhythms yourself with a free read aloud here.

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“I Believe I Can” by Grace Byers, illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo
The theme of this book is the limitless potential that exists within all of us. Young learners are at the heart of the message and can see affirmations on each page and illustration. From overcoming obstacles, using our imagination, and trusting the process of growth, this book emphasizes that there are no bounds to what we can do.

Check out a free read aloud here.

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“All Because You Matter” by Tami Charles, illustrated by Bryan Collier
Get ready for a journey throughout time and space as we examine our relationship to the universe and the people who came before us. This introspection gives us an avenue to reflect on what makes us feel important and why, just like everyone who came before us, we matter.

Listen to a free read aloud here.

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“Love You Head to Toe” written and illustrated by Ashley Barron
Our youngest geniuses will embrace this story full of animal motifs and precious imagery. A celebration of new life and beginnings and all the excitement that comes with discoveries. 

Find a free read aloud of the story here.

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“I Love My Hair” by Natasha Tarpley, illustrated by E.B. Lewis
Celebrating Black hair and the history behind the many forms it takes, "I Love My Hair" is a beautiful example of taking pride in yourself. When Kenya gets frustrated with her mother as she sits between her knees and feels a yank or tug a bit too hard, her mother reminds her of the beauty and significance of her stylings.

Click here for a free read aloud.

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“One Love” by Cedella Marley, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
"One Love", the jubilant Bob Marley tune, is the inspiration for this book as a neighborhood is inspired by all the love existing within it. From the birds to the trees, everyone can let some joy in by embracing togetherness.

Check out a free read aloud here.

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“Full, Full, Full of Love” by Trish Cooke, illustrated by Paul Howard
The comforting feeling of sharing meals with family radiates from this book as Jay Jay recounts his trip to Grandma’s house and their delicious feast. With childlike wonder, he asks when will the food be ready? And when will everyone arrive? Questions we can relate to as we prepare for a celebration of love.

Listen to the story being read aloud here. 

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“I Am Every Good Thing” by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James
Poetic and dynamic, Barnes shows love for young Black boys with the message that they are capable of every good thing. From pursuing dreams, being a good friend and brother, and embodying love for others, “I am a non-stop ball of energy. Powerful and full of light. I am a go-getter. A difference maker. A leader.”

Listen to one of our favorite books 
being read aloud here.
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“Lola Loves Stories” by Anna McQuinn, illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw
Lola and her dad love going to the library to pick out the next book they’ll read together. Each story plants a seed that grows with Lola’s imagination and sparks new experiences every day.

Click here to listen to the story read aloud.

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BONUS PICK: "Always With You, Always With Me" by Kelly Rowland and Jessica McKay, illustrated by Fanny Liem"

Follow Mommy and Child throughout the days of the week, picking up on magic traces of one another as they stay connected no matter where they are. 

Listen to a live read-aloud from co-author Kelly Rowland HERE.
Related R2S blog articles:

5 Children's Books by bell hooks
Racial Equity Education Opportunities and Anti-Racism Trainings
10 Books About Moving to a New Place Featuring Black Protagonists
10 STEM-inspire Children's books With Black Protagonists
10 Spring-Inspired Books Featuring Black Characters
8 Winter-Themed Culturally-Responsive Children's Books

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    About R2S

    Read to Succeed Asheville/Buncombe (R2S) is a local, independent nonprofit on a mission to help close the
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Read to Succeed is on a mission to help close the race-based opportunity gap through community-powered literacy programming that engages children, families, and community partners.
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  • Home
  • Volunteer
    • R2S Volunteer Opportunities
    • Reading Tutor
    • Organizational Volunteer
    • Apply to Volunteer
    • Background Checks
    • Word Work
  • Family Reading Resources
    • Black Children's Book Week
    • Family Reading Resources
    • Free Reading Apps for Kids
    • Letter Sounds
    • Online Reading Resources
    • Read-Aloud
    • Read-Aloud-PreK
  • Donate
    • R2S Giving Campaign
    • Page Turners Circle
    • Additional Ways to Give to R2S
    • Book Donations
  • About Us
    • Our Mission
    • Leadership Team
    • Organizational Documents
    • Join the R2S Team
    • Black Businesses R2S Loves
  • News
  • R2S Blog
  • Contact Us