This fun alphabetical tour highlights some of America’s most well-known landmarks, inventions, events, and people, ranging from the Ferris wheel to the Grand Canyon and from July Fourth to Martin Luther King, Jr. Irene Chan's bright, bold, and colorful art will delight the youngest of readers as they learn the alphabet and explore some Amercan highlights. A is for Abraham Lincoln. B is for Baseball...

Join the world of balloons, pancakes, and musical instruments—just a few items to help improve early literacy in the library, the classroom, and at home. Literacy-builders covered range from music and instruments to magnetic letters, alphabet beads, and food. Literacy is a popular topic of discussion among librarians. Especially important is "early literacy," what children know about reading and writing before they can actually read and write. In this book, experienced librarians Kathy Barco and Melanie Borski-Howard share hands-on techniques that they have used to successfully promote early literacy and encourage family involvement. Storytime and Beyond teaches readers how to use "literacy doodads"—inexpensive props that add excitement to storytimes and can be used outside the library or classroom—to enhance the basic components of any early literacy program: talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing. Many of the doodads can be created as family do-it-yourself projects, and some can be adapted to work with non-readers of any age. Instruments can also be a great way to get children's attention and teach literacy skills, whether it's a drum to beat while reading a story or a maraca for children to shake during a song, and lesson plans for musical storytimes address how to use rhythm, singing, and dancing to make early literacy fun.

Planned activities are suggested for over 200 alphabet books and include objective(s), materials, and suggested grade level. Recommended for school librarians, teachers, and parents.