Bootsie Barker Bites

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Bootsie Barker Bites

Written by: Barbara Bottner

First line: My mother and Bootsie Barker's mother are best friends.

Why you should read this book: The child narrator is repeatedly terrorized by pint-size bully, Bootsie Barker, whose violent aggression destroys her favorite possessions and leaves her in constant fear for her physical safety. Her mother urges her to "get along" and at night she dreams of various scenarios in which Bootsie Barker might be permanently removed from her life, until the day her mother announces the wonderful surprise: that Bootsie will be sleeping over. With zero support from the adults in preserving her health, the narrator invents a new game, one that will turn the tables on Bootsie, teach her the meaning of fear, and cause her to refuse to spend another minute in the house.

Why you shouldn't read this book: You are a carnivorous dinosaur.

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Studies show that children who regularly hear books read and see adults reading books have an easier time learning to read. If your children do not realize that books are fun and contain interesting ideas, they will be less motivated to learn how to read and write. Children who do not learn to read and write have difficulty succeeding in school and at life.

Even infants can enjoy books. You can check baby board books out of the library. Your baby will enjoy sitting on your lap as you read the words and point to the brightly colored pictures. If your baby wants to chew on the book, that's OK too.

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You can learn more about children's books at the American Library Association website. Your public library is a great place to introduce your children to books. They will have special programs and incentives for kids of all ages to love reading. In most systems children are entitled to their own library cards from the time they are old enough to write their own names. It's a great way to teach responsibility as well as foster a lifelong love of learning and books.

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Dragon's Library

Tuesday, January 18, 2011