Who doesn’t love summer days: lazy mornings with no school routine, no plans, no commitments? Oh, wait, that can be an at-home parent’s worst nightmare. Life always seems easier with a little structure and a planned activity or two, even if it’s just a jaunt to the park or a splash in the pool.
If you find yourself casting about for a little summer routine, look no further than Vivian Kirkfield’s Show Me How. This ingenious guide pairs 100 classic picture books with related crafts and recipes you can easily do with your child, which helps build self-esteem. The picture book recommendations are arranged around six themes. For example, the section “I Am Really Mad Right Now!” includes books like Where the Wild Things Are and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, which help children learn how to express their feelings. The other themes are: “I Can Do It Myself!,” “I’m Special!,” I Love You and You Love Me!,” “I’m Afraid!,” and “Tell Me One More Story, Please!”
We road tested a few of Kirkfield’s book suggestions and activities. We read Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (1963), in which Max is “sent to be without his supper” for acting naughty. In his room, he creates a world where the wild things are and becomes king. Kirkfield pairs this book with a bookmaking activity. She provides directions for helping your child write and illustrate his or her own picture book using clippings from old magazines. She also includes the recipe for delicious “Wildly Spiced Apple Muffins,” which Cooper and Finley helped me make — and gobble up — for breakfast. Yum!
Our second book was Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans (1939), in which little Madeline has an appendectomy. Ouch! Kirfield suggests making get-well cards and sending them to someone who is ailing. Cooper decided to make a get well card for one of his imaginary friends using construction paper, markers and stickers. The accompanying recipe is Sweet Wheat Bread, since Madeline and the girls at her school eat bread with each meal.
This book is recommended for children ages 2-5, but I think it works for children up to age 7. Children ages 4-7 would probably get the most out of the activities and cooking experiences.
As a bonus, Kirkfield includes her own recipe for a successful day, which she used as a teacher with pre-Ks and kindergarteners and as a day-care provider. She provides a loose structure that includes times for eating, reading, music, crafts, free play and cooking.
Kirkfield is mom, grandmother, a former teacher and a former daycare operator who practices what she preaches. Her blog, Positive Parental Participation, is a great resource for teachers and caregivers of small children.
Kirsten W. Larson 
Vivian is terrific, and though I have yet to read this book it sounds really great – a perfect book for parents who need a few summer activities. Thanks for sharing. And I’m going to be needing the recipe for those apple muffins!!!! 🙂
Just think of lots of cinnamon, ginger, applesauce, fresh apples and raisins. Oh, and honey!
You’re making me hungry 🙂
Thank you, Susanna! When I do the second book in the series, I will definitely have to use some of the newer books written by this amazing kidlit community…the PPBF contributors and the 12 x 12 group. 🙂
Wish I could have been in her class: Good morning, Mrs. Kirkfield! Great post and nod to what sounds like an incredible mound of resource materials!
Isn’t she great. On her site, it looks like she’s doing a lot with the Colorado schools, so many children are benefitting from her expertise.
Hi Julie…and I wish you could have been as well..can you imagine a kindergarten class with all of the kidlit people who contribute to Susanna’s PPBF…WOW…I’m sure all of you were in love with books right from the start. 🙂 My wish is that Show Me How finds its way into preschool classrooms, libraries, daycare facilities and into the hands of parents and homeschoolers everywhere. Thanks so much for your kind words. 🙂
What a beautiful way to start my day! Kirsten, I love the review you did and thank you so much for your enthusiasm and words of praise. 🙂 Most importantly, I’m thrilled that you and your children enjoyed the suggested books and activities…wonderful photos you took! I hope the review encourages lots of parents, teachers and librarians to check out the book and buy a copy. 🙂
The boys and I certainly give it two thumbs up. We’ll be spreading the word.
Sounds like a great resource. What I want to know is did ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ survive the above tug-of-war?
Thank goodness, yes. But their antics are an argument against buying paperbacks.
Sounds like a great resource! 🙂
Two thumbs up!
I agree with others.. I also have not read the book, but it sounds a great resource! 🙂
We have lots of science activity books and kids’ cookbooks, but this one is definitely different since it combines the two.
This book is great! I will review it later this summer. I love books with activities for everyone! 🙂
Hopefully you and Josie won’t tug-of-war over the book the way my two did. 🙂