I chose to read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. (1989) and The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats (1962). Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is a very cute lower and upper-case letter book. The lower-case letters go up a coconut tree, when they are all up there the tree starts to bend so dramatically that the letters fall out. The capital letters (appear to be “parent” letters) come help them and look at their injuries. It was one of my favorite books growing up and I wanted to make sure Julia and Caitlin experienced it so I picked it to read. In The Snowy Day the book features a boy named Peter. The book describes Peter exploring his neighborhood after the first snowfall of the winter. I thought they would enjoy Chicka Chicka Boom Boom because they love books that are fun and full of color.

This book was an immediate hit. They loved helping me read and the fun rhythm they could make doing it. Julia absolutely loved the pictures and raved about the “pretty colors” and several “AB and ABC patterns” that she could find. Caitlin loved all the letters and would try and point them out as soon as I turned the page. Reading this book in a small group setting was new for me. I had read it a handful of times to a class and had a great time, but never to any group smaller. There reactions were extremely happy and they really seemed to be having a great time.

The book I picked was a great choice. Of the several books I’ve read to them, this was the best reaction I’ve