For parents & teachers
Reading aloud, gently.
You do not need to be good at it. A few small habits make books land better with young children.
Read-aloud tips
- Read the book yourself once before story time, so you know where the pauses are.
- Let the child hold the book and turn the pages. It slows you down in a good way.
- Point at things. Counting ducks, naming colors and finding the little things in the corners all count as reading.
- Use a different voice for each character, even a small one. Children notice.
- Leave silences. When a line comes back, like There's always room, stop before the last word and let the child say it.
- If the book has a song page, sing it. It does not need to be in tune.
- Read it again. Asking for the same book every night is how children learn the words.
Story-time guide
Leo Is Going to Be a Big Brother
Ages 2 to 6
About the story
Leo has a red scarf that is much too long, a blue chair just his size, and the best seat of all: Mama's lap. When a baby is coming, Leo is not sure there will still be room for him. It is a gentle story about the worry a big brother or sister can feel, and the answer Mama gives: there's always room.
Before you read
- Look at the cover. Who is in Leo's arms? How do you think Leo feels about her?
- If a baby is coming in your family, it can help to read the book a few times before the birth, not only after.
While you read
- Pause when Leo hides his blanket and his boat. Ask: why is Leo saying mine?
- When Bea cries and Leo covers his ears, ask how your child feels when it is loud.
- Say the refrain together: There's room, Leo. There's always room.
Questions to talk about
- Why did Leo hide his blanket and his boat?
- How did Leo feel when everything was for Bea?
- What could help a big brother or sister feel loved when a new baby comes?
- What is something only a big brother or sister can do?
- Point to Leo's face when he sits alone in his blue chair. How does he feel?
- Leo giggled at Grandma's teapot story. What makes you giggle?
- Look at Leo when Bea holds on to his scarf. How does he feel now?
Ideas for after the book
- Give the big sibling a real job, like singing to the baby or choosing a blanket. The helper-jobs chart in the downloads can help.
- Keep a little time that is only for the older child, even ten minutes. Call it your room time.
- Draw your family in the big chair together, using the share activity sheet.
- Sing the honey song at bedtime, and let the older child sing it to the baby.
A small tip
Big feelings about a new baby are normal. Leo is grumpy, hides things and feels small, and Mama never scolds him for it. Children often notice that.
Story-time guide
Bruce Counts to Ten
Ages 2 to 5
About the story
A little bee wraps up in a big green leaf. When the rain washes the leaf into the river, Bruce floats away from home, sings Mama's counting song to feel brave, and counts his way back: 1 frog, 2 ducks, all the way to 10 fireflies.
Before you read
- Look at the cover together. What is Bruce sitting in? Where do you think the river goes?
- Hold up your fingers and count to ten together, so the numbers are warm when they show up in the book.
While you read
- Each counting page has a red number. Point to it, say it, then count the things in the picture with one finger each.
- On the song page, stop and sing. The tune is Row, Row, Row Your Boat, so most grown-ups already know it.
- Let your child turn the pages. It slows the story down in a good way.
Questions to talk about
- Why did Bruce wrap up in his leaf?
- What helped Bruce feel brave on the big river?
- What helps you when something feels too big?
- Which animal would you like to meet on the river? How many of them were there?
- Point to Bruce's face when the rain comes and his wings get wet. How does he feel?
- Find Bruce when the fish tickle him. What does his face look like when he giggles?
- Look at Bruce asleep in his leaf at the end. How does he feel now?
Counting games after the book
- Counting walk: find 1 of something, then 2 of something, then 3, on a walk or around the house.
- Leaf boats: float leaves in a bowl of water and count how many stay afloat.
- Bath-time song: sing Bruce's song and hold up a finger for each number.
- Use the free tracing pages and the count-and-circle sheets on bruce.alderfoldpress.com.
A small tip
There is no need to get through the whole book in one sitting. Stopping at five and finishing tomorrow is still reading together.