Great Read Alouds: It's Time to Move It

Movement is essential to a child’s development. A moving child is a learning child. Their motor skills impact their ability to perform everyday tasks and play. Gross or large motor skills use the large muscles of the body. Running, walking, jumping and maintaining balance are enabled by the large muscles. Best of all – moving is fun! 

Fun ways to encourage active play 

• Play a game of tag, which involves running and quick changes in direction. Growing up I played a game called TV Tag. If you were tagged, you had to name a TV show. If you couldn’t, you became the chaser. A variation of this could be Color or Shape Tag and say the name of a color or shape. 
• Climbing, whether on outside play equipment or the climbing wall in the Kids Library, your child will make good use of their large muscles and build strength and coordination. 
• Dancing is fun! It is also good for improving balance and rhythm. 
• Playing catch in the backyard is great for eye-hand coordination. 
• We also have many books that encourage movement. Keep reading to see some of my favorites. 

Stomp written by Uncle Ian Aurora & illustrated by Natalia Moore

Stomp your way through this interactive story! 

Author Uncle Ian Aurora is known for his exceptionally loud and skillful storytelling. This book will definitely get you and your child moving.

Dance Party Countdown written by Eric Litwin & illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld

Groovy Joe is a guitar playing dog who loves to sing and dance. When many other dogs join him, his home gets a little crowded, but the party is fun. Have your own disco party at home after reading this book!

You'll enjoy the rhyme, repetition and musical writing style, combined with wild and witty illustrations. This book is also infused and gentle math concepts to create an unforgettable Groovy Joe story all about positivity, creativity, math and kindness. 

Thank You, Rain written by Dan McCauley & illustrated by Jo Loring-Fisher

Disappointed by the rain, a young girl is encouraged to embrace the wet weather. She immerses herself in the rain's melody as she walks with her family and splashes in the puddles. Like the family in the story, go outside after a rainstorm and stomp in your own puddles!

Thank You, Rain shows young readers how to reduce stress by focusing on the beauty of nature and finding the silver lining in less-than-ideal situations.

I Got the Rhythm written by Connie Schofield-Morrison & illustrated by Frank Morrison

A young girl catches a rhythm with her senses and her whole self as she is out walking with her mom. After reading, take a walk together and see if you can find a rhythm of your own. 

"Though nameless, our narrator radiates charm with her puff-ball pigtails, snapping fingers, and effervescent joy at experiencing the city’s sounds. The bright palette and vibrant tones of Morrison’s loosely painted illustrations echo the energy of the text nicely, and Morrison employs some unusual compositions to heighten the sense of movement. With text like 'STOMP STOMP' and 'BEAT BOP' strewn across the pages, the book begs readers to sing and move along with this little dancer as she 'pops and locks, hips and hops' her way through the sunny afternoon." –Booklist

I Went Walking written by Sue Williams & illustrated by Julie Vivas

This simple, funny read-aloud follows a boy’s exciting stroll through the countryside. The boy sees a black cat, then a brown horse, then a red cow, and so on, and before he knows it, he’s being trailed by the entire animal parade!

Big type, repetition, lively art, and the visual guessing game created by introducing each animal only partially at first, make this beloved tale a winner at story time.

I went walking.

What did you see?

I saw a black cat

Looking at me.

Take a trip to the zoo and identify all of the animals you see!

Hilda Must Be Dancing written by Karma Wilson & illustrated by Suzanne Watts

Hilda Hippo loves to dance! But there's just one problem. When Hilda dances, it sounds like this:
Ka-bump! Ka-bump!
Crash! Crash! Crash!
Thumpity-bump!
Thumpity-bump!
Boom!
Bang!
Bash!

Hilda Hippo loves to dance. Her jungle friends just think she is noisy. She tries quieter activities. Water Buffalo suggests swimming, and Hilda finds a new way to express herself. Try out some dance moves of your own from ballet to square dancing to disco. 

Good Night Yoga: A Pose-by-pose Bedtime Story written by Mariam Gates & illustrated by Sarah Jane Hinder

Use this story to wind down from a busy day. The simple yoga moves help relax your kid's body and mind, which can support a restful sleep. 

This beautifully illustrated, full-color book tells the story of the natural world as it closes down for the night, while teaching children a simple flow of yoga postures inspired by their favorite characters from nature.