Dr. Seuss – The Next Kid Thing

Read Across America Day: Tips for Reading with Kids

March 2, 2016March 2, 2016 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Happy Read Across America Day and Dr. Suess Day! Today marks what would have been Dr. Suess’ 112th birthday.

In honor of his birthday, many families, schools and libraries across the nation are celebrating by reading, and doing lots of it. In fact, in a few, I’m off to the kids’ school to read to the kids’ class.

There’s so many wonderful ways to engage with kids to help them develop a love for reading, books and literature. Here are just a few helpful tips that have help me and my guys along the way.

1. Let them see you read

Kids model behavior, whether it’s good or bad. If they see you reading, even if it’s a few minutes a day, this model behavior will undoubtedly provide a foundation for a love of reading. Because I have a print background, I still love magazines and newspapers. Admittedly, I don’t read the physical paper as much as I’d like, but I read the New York Times daily and various magazines. We’ve become a society that thrives on fragmented, viral news. Why not help the kids embrace a well-crafted story in kids’ magazine of their choice. J’s learning the basics of writing and we’re big on pointing out descriptive words in feature stories. Ranger Rick and Sports Illustrated for Kids are popular picks for my guys.

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2. Read together

I know a lot of families who love reading together. After a long day of school and work, it’s often the only way that some kids get to bond with parents on weekdays, before starting the cycle again. Our board books are tattered from all the love they’ve received, but man, are those always the best books! If your kids are older, pick a few chapter series that get them excited and take turns reading aloud every night. The Magic Tree House series is my older guy’s favorite series right now. Next up is the Harry Potter series!

3. Enjoy the Library

One of our absolute favorite weekly dates is our trip to the library. I feel as though we’re on a first name basis with librarians these days, not just because of our hyperlocal site, but also because the library is our happy place.

With Little’s significant speech delay, he’s in therapy 5 days a week. He gets to play a lot at school, but there’s still so much structure in his rigorous special ed preschool schedule. Weekly story time at the library is a way for us to engage with other young readers. Our librarians are so enthusiastic and encourage imagination with their varied stories and fun crafts.

4. There’s an app for that!

If you know me, then you must know that I love technology and the way it helps make our lives as parents easier. While I will always choose a physical book or magazine first, apps for reading are an excellent way to encourage reading. With intuitive reading apps such as ABC Mouse, Speakaboos and MeeGenius, my preschooler is able to enjoy books at his pace, and in a fun kid-friendly format. For my 8 year old, we’ve been using the Kids’ Kindle Fire and enjoying books on the Amazon platform. With the Kindle Fire, it’s helpful when my son needs to look up words or wants to search for a new title. His classroom uses an app called Raz-Kids, which is an interesting app that tracks activity and encourages comprehension and reading aloud.

However you choose to read with your kids, make it fun!

Classroom Fun: Oh, The Places You’ll Go and Oceanhouse Media Dr. Seuss Apps

March 8, 2013 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

As Read Across America week winds down, I thought I’d share about my fun afternoon with J’s class today.

Dr. Seuss reminded us that Life’s a Great Balancing Act (Just never forget to be dexterous and deft). Which is why I chose to read Oh, The Places You Go! in class today. In my trajectory as a writer and parent, I want to believe that it was his suggestions and wise words that have pointed me in this direction. (More on this later…)

Even though Oh, The Places You’ll Go! can be verbose for young five year olds, the class very much understood Dr. Seuss’ ideas and emphasis on imagination.
After reading to the class, we continued the conversation about Dr. Seuss with What’s in the Cat’s Hat, a hands-on game game from my friends at Wonder Forge.

This game is a classic guessing game, where the kids can utilize their senses by guessing what’s hidden IN the Cat’s hat. Each kid took a turn poking and shaking the hat, even reading off prompted questions from the cards. We heard silly guesses, but once the kids started getting their guesses right based on clues, the momentum of their deductive reasoning started to roll. I can’t say enough good things about Wonder Forge; this fantastic company has won numerous awards for their games and it’s no wonder why. Beyond What’s in the Cat’s Hat, Wonder Forge has various Dr. Seuss puzzles and games, including an app-centric game called Fun Machine.

Dr. Seuss apps from Oceanhouse Media

And speaking of apps, Dr. Seuss has an app—quite a few, actually. Oceanhouse Media has done a great job with bringing Dr. Seuss titles to iPhones, iPods and iPads. While I love my technology as much as the next geek, there’s nothing quite like a real book. Nevertheless, you can’t beat having access to a myriad of Dr. Seuss titles while on the go. Green Eggs and Ham while in the dentist waiting room? Why not. Fox in Socks while on a 2-hour road trip? Don’t mind if we do. The best part of these apps is that they’re interactive where you can record your voice while reading and even share those recordings. Oceanhouse Media has a number of Dr. Seuss classics in the $3-5 range, as well as a few free apps.

Dr. Seuss Camera

Another app that gets rave reviews from my favorite five year olds: The Dr. Seuss Camera, also from Oceanhouse Media. This app simply utilizes the iphone, ipod touch or ipad camera and frames the subject with several different Dr. Seuss characters and imagery. Point, shoot, edit and create, this app is endless Dr. Seuss fun and is free. This app is a great way to continue the Dr. Suess conversation and branch it out to digital media. In fact, we took pictures of J’s entire class and the kids had a blast picking and choosing which characters they wanted to be. Sally, by the way, was the class favorite—for boys, too! Go, Sally!

I loved talking to the kids about my job today. Since most of the kids aren’t reading quite yet, I didn’t bother telling them about NKT, other than the topics that I focus on. It was cute getting questions from parents asking me if I work FOR PBS. No, but I am a proud VIP.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

March 2, 2012March 2, 2012 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Through his quirky rhymes and colorful characters, for generations, Theodor Geisel–best known as Dr. Seuss–has urged us to climb mountains, hop on pop and speak for the trees. And today, the world celebrates what would have been the beloved author and illustrator’s 108th birthday.

Kids of all ages have been celebrating Dr. Seuss’ birthday this week with enthusiastic celebrations, including nationwide reading campaigns. Although Seuss may have lent his creativity to other fields before flourishing with children’s books, his legacy continues to live on—so much so, not only have his books been reprinted over and over, but his characters have come to life on the big screen, stories have been turned into board games and his rhymes are the subject of an amusement park!

Above all the hoopla that Dr. Seuss’ stories have generated over the years, his messages still ring true all these years later. And if we were to remember anything he said, perhaps the most important message Dr. Seuss shared was this:

“You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child.”

For a few minutes or hours today, be sure to pick up a few books and read to the kids!

Just a few of our personal favorite Dr. Seuss titles are: Yertle the Turtle, Horton Hears a Who and Cat in the Hat. You can’t go wrong with classics like these!

Cat-in-the-Hat-a-thon

I talk a big game about reading to the kids and making sure you disconnect as much as possible, but the truth is, I’m a big advocate not only for reading and writing, but for learning all together. I love that our kids have the option of supplementing their lessons with intuitive games online, interactive apps, as well as educational programming. And since we’re talking about Dr. Seuss, the Cat in the Hat which airs on PBS Kids, is no exception.

I love how the show has an emphasis on science and exploring creativity. Sally and Nick, no doubt, are fun role models for curiosity and exploration; and that Cat, well, he’s knows a lot about that! And today, in honor of Dr. Seuss birthday PBS is celebrating wit a Cat in the Hat a thon on PBS Kids. So, after you read your favorite books, be sure to check it out!

I’m so honored to be chosen as one of this year’s PBS Kids VIPs. This group is a collection of parent bloggers and social media enthusiasts like me who are just as passionate about learning and quality children’s programming. So, stay tuned for all the PBS Kids-related goodies.

Giveaway

I’ve got two fun Cat in the Hat prize packs from PBS Kids up for grabs! It contains a Cat in the Hat Book based on the series, a dvd of episodes from the show and a $25 credit to the PBS Kid’s stores! Just comment below or send me an email to tell me about YOU and YOUR kids’ favorite Dr. Seuss book. Extra credit: share on the NKT page about how your kids celebrated Dr. Seuss’s birthday.

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P.S.

For those that have been wondering where I’ve been…I had a baby last month! I’ll spare you the “I was so sick song and dance,” but poor baby was/is a little sick. (Knock on wood) It’s nothing major for now, but it’s been enough to keep this momma down and out. I’m slowly but surely getting back into the groove of things. So, please bear with me as I swat out the cobwebs and get things up and running again. It’s awesome to see you here! Thanks for hanging out.

So here’s baby boy #2’s debut on NKT: internets, meet Joshua Ellis! At just a month old, not surprisingly, he’s a fan of Dr. Seuss and books in general

Partying for Dr. Seuss’ Birthday

March 2, 2011 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Did someone say party? Beyond reading the kid’s favorite Seuss books over and over, we partied in Dr. Seuss’ honor with a Cat in the Hat-themed party.

Complete with Cat in the Hat party hats, a stack of our favorite Seuss-penned books, cupcakes and balloons, the kid and a few pals previewed the latest The Cat in the Hat Knows a lot About That episodes. The new episodes, which can be seen on PBS today as part of the 2-hr long Cat in the Hat Marathon, featured more of Nick, Sally and the Cat’s adventures.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

March 2, 2011March 2, 2011 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

“Wake Up! For today is your Day of all Days!”

Today, the world celebrates Theodor Seuss Geisel, best known as Dr. Seuss, one of the world’s most beloved children’s authors. For what would have been Dr. Seuss’ 107th birthday, surely, many will celebrate his birthday in their own favorite way. In fact, courtesy of PBS Kids’, we hosted a small screening party to preview The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That’s new episodes in preparation for Dr. Seuss’ Birthday. (more on that soon!)

But really, Dr. Seuss’ birthday and celebration should be about the books that still line our kids’ shelves. According to an article I read, during his lifetime, more than 200 million copies of his 46 memorable books for children were sold. His stories have been translated into 20 languages and continue to touch kids’ lives.

And to commemorate the late author’s birthday, students, teachers and Dr. Seuss fans will honor his legacy with Read Across America Day.

After a trip to the library this morning, we will be having our own mini-party to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday! In the name of Dr. Seuss, we have a fun day planned, which includes reading our favorite Seuss titles, playing our favorite Cat in the Hat game from WonderForge, craft time and catch a few episodes of Cat in the Hat, too.

No matter how you choose to celebrate, whether it’s watching The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That marathon on PBS, reading Dr. Seuss books all day or having your own little party, be sure to make it a colorful one.

Check it

The Cat in the Hat marathon is on PBS today. Check your tv listings for the time. In NJ, it starts at 7am; NYC 8:30.

Want to do some crafts? Seussville has a few fun Dr. Seuss printables in line with Read Across America Day. PBS’ Cat in the Hat site also has a good variety of games, as well as printables. Thing 1 and 2 finger puppets? I think we will, thank you very much!

Cool New Kicks for Kids: Yo Gabba Gabba and Dr. Seuss

July 30, 2010 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

It’s hard to believe summer is starting to wind down, with August just peeking around the corner. The end of summer means back to school for many, and back to school for most families also means shopping.

Of all the fall trends I’m seeing, it looks like this school year will be filled with more bright colors and retro designs. One thing I can’t get enough of, however, are the shoes—smart-looking kid shoes!

I’ve often said that I’m not a fan of gaudy licensed products, but these kid shoes that are coming out transcend the kitschy licensed shoewear of yesteryear.

The littlest Yo Gabba Gabba groupies will have some new options for dancing shoes, thanks to Vans. The shoe company well known for their venerable line of skate shoes (I’ve been wearing Old Skools since um…) will be rolling out a line of Yo Gabba Gabba themed shoes for kids. It looks like there are seven designs so far, but none for adults…and now that I’m looking, no sight of DJ Lance on the shoes, either.

Converse has added some fun Dr. Suess-themed kicks to their lineup of timeless shoes. Kids can choose from eight different kinds of Chucks in the Dr. Seuss Collection, ranging from colorful fish to the subtle Cat in the Hat. And Converse hasn’t forgotten us: there are six whimsical designs perfect for you and you and you!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

March 2, 2010March 2, 2010 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Born Theodor Seuss Geisel on March 2, 1904, the writer and illustrator better known as Dr. Seuss, produced classic children’s books that have rhymed, reasoned and influenced many generations. (Including the Olympian I had the honor of interviewing! more on that later.)

With Dr. Seuss’s birthday in mind, I thought I’d share some of my most recent Dr. Seuss finds: