Quacks and Snacks (pages 6 to 9)

• The rollicking rhythm and rhymes in this story make it a delight to read aloud. The first time you read it to your child, don't stop to discuss the story.
• After you've finished reading, ask your child to describe what the ducks and people are doing in each scene.

Learning to distinguish individual sounds within words is an important early literacy skill. This rhyming story can help. When you reread the story, encourage your child to identify the rhyming words. You could also make a list of all the words in this story that begin or end with the letter S. Then, as you read the list of words, encourage your child to listen for the sound the letter S makes.

*Language Development: Speaking & Communicating (Develops increasing ability to use language to communicate information, feelings, and opinions.)

*Literacy: Alphabet Knowledge (Begins to notice the beginning and ending letters in familiar words.)

I'm Not Sleepy (pages 20 to 23)

• Before you read the story, ask your child to describe what's happening in each illustration. Then talk together about your child's bedtime routine.
• As you read the story, encourage your child to guess the meaning of the Spanish sentences.

In this story, Aunt Cecilia knows that Maya will feel more comfortable if they follow her regular bedtime routine. Aunt Cecilia also avoids a potential power struggle by asking Maya to explain what they should do. Aunt Cecilia is one smart cookie!

*Social & Emotional Development: Knowledge of Families & Communities (Begins to understand the similarities and respect the differences among people, such as gender, race, culture, and language.)

*Approaches to Learning: Initiative & Curiosity (Approaches tasks and activities with increased flexibility, imagination, and inventiveness.)

Look and Look Again (pages 24 and 25)

• As you and your child pore over these two pictures, the challenge of discovering yet one more difference will encourage both of you to look and look again!
• There is even more to talk about if you also describe what's the same.

This activity helps children notice subtle differences in a crowded visual scene. Developing visual discrimination skills will come in handy when it's time to recognize a b and a d. Describing what they see and explaining why it's different also helps children organize their thoughts and communicate effectively—a very important life skill.

*Language Development: Speaking & Communicating (Develops an increased ability to use language to communicate information, experiences, and ideas.)

*Approaches to Learning: Engagement & Persistence (Demonstrates a growing capacity to maintain concentration over time on a task.)

*Early childhood standards based on the U.S. Head Start Child Outcomes Framework.