New Children’s Books for New World Kids

by Cassie Swayze, After School Programs Associate AmeriCorps VISTA

Earlier this month Sarah Rinner, our Elementary Program Director, shared some exciting news about our New World Kids (NWK) curricula. NWK engages children with the creative thinking process by exploring the Sensory Alphabet, including:

• Line
• Shape
• Rhythm
• Space
• Color, and more

The addition of New World Kids to our Afterschool programs meant we were able to add a lot of new children’s books to the Creative Action library. Here are a few of my favorites:

Color Zoo, Lois Ehlert explores shape by using animals’ faces constructed out of triangles, rectangles, squares, and circle cutouts. Flipping through the pages of this clever storybook a bear face morphs into a lion; a lion becomes a rabbit; and a rabbit transforms into a mouse.

Lines that Wiggle, Candace Whitman explores line by following a glittery line through various escapades like the wavy lines of an octopus’ arms; the lines that sprout a seed; and rainbow lines that are way up high.

My Friends/Mis Amigos, Taro Gomi explores movement by following the adventures of an adorable little girl who likes to walk like her favorite animals. She climbs trees like her friend the monkey; kicks like her friend the gorilla; explores the earth like an ant; and studies like her friends the teachers.

In other Afterschool news, today is Lights on Afterschool! Lights on Afterschool is a nationwide celebration designed to call attention to the importance of afterschool programs for America’s children, families and communities.

P.S. My favorite type of pie is strawberry rhubarb.

Join us at I Spy Pie! on Saturday, October 20th at Central Market North. 12 – 3 p.m.
Family fun, arts and crafts and pie for families of all ages!