Category Archives: books

{Wordless & Minimally Worded Books} Fabulous for SLPs targeting multiple goals! (updated 8/14/22)

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{Wordless & Minimally Worded Books} Fabulous for SLPs targeting multiple goals!

I love wordless & minimally worded books! Most have amazing illustrations and are fabulous for targeting goals on inferencing, storytelling, descriptive language, social skills & more.

Here are a few of my faves:

– Carl’s Summer Vacation (there are numerous books in this series)
– Chalk
– Draw!
– Flotsam
– Fossil
– Fox’s Garden
– Good Night, Gorilla
– Journey
– Little Mouse
– Moo!
– Mr. Wuffles
– Pancakes for Breakfast
– Quest
– Red Hat
– Red Sled
– Return
– Snowman’s Story
– Stick
– Stick!
– The Three Pigs
– The Tortoise & The Hare
– The Treasure Bath
– The Typewriter
– Tuesday
– Wave

And a few wordless book apps:
– David Wiesner’s Spot by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, https://appsto.re/us/BRzC5.i (8/14/22: no longer available)
– Imagistory: Schools Edition – A Storytelling App by Imagistory Publishing Ltd., https://appsto.re/us/r3Z_2.i (8/14/22: no longer available)
– Lil’ Red – An Interactive Story by Brian Main, https://appsto.re/us/swTDH.i (8/14/22: no longer available)

– Pango Comics, https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pango-comics/id1099753733
– Radio Jones And His Robot Dad by Nexus Productions, https://appsto.re/us/IiDW5.i (fabulous FREE wordless book app with a few interactive elements)

– The Surprise, https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-surprise-home/id527223436

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Updated 10/28/20:

Book Dash has lots of FREE online books + you can filter the results by language. Very cool that “wordless” is an option: https://bookdash.org/books?s=&languages%5B%5D=wordless

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I’ve added a few more wordless & minimally worded books to my collection on Epic for Kids: https://www.getepic.com/collection/19641601/minimally-worded-and-wordless-omazing-kids

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Not sure how to use wordless or minimally worded books? See these resources:

– http://www.whatdowedoallday.com/tips-for-reading-wordless-picture-books/
– http://brainpowerboy.com/books-boys-benefits-wordless-picture-books/
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https://www.familieslearning.org/uploads/blog/2010/08/talking-about-wordless-picture-books.pdf (123 page PDF)

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Research Shows that Books without Text Can Increase Literacy, Vocabulary Skills in Children with Developmental Disabilities: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110607005242/en/Research-Shows-Books-Text-Increase-Literacy-Vocabulary, http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.849.9826&rep=rep1&type=pdf

Updated 12/17/22: Great article “Wordless Books:
A UDL Approach to Supporting Language and Literacy Development” in Close the Gap: https://online.fliphtml5.com/yciqt/ioxx/#p=1

8/14/22 Updated contact info:

Have a question? The best way to reach me is via Facebook messaging over on my OMazing Kids page: https://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsAAC/

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC, OMazing Kids AAC Consulting

• Teachers Pay Teachers Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Omazing-Kids-Aac-Consulting

• YouTube: https://youtube.com/user/amoorad1

• Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/omazingkidsaac

• OMazing Kids AAC Consulting Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsAAC/

• AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/

• GoTalk Now AAC & GoVisual Visual Scene Apps – Ideas and Sharing Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/GoTalkNowAACappGroup

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omazingkidsaac

• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/amoorad

• Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/

• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/amoorad1

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelamooradomazingkidsaac

• Blog: https://omazingkidsllc.com

{One Book: Target Several Goals} The First Day of Winter by Denise Fleming

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{One Book + Interactive iPad Activity: Target Several Goals} I’m loving the newest book in my Winter collection… The First Day of Winter by Denise Fleming! It’s a fun twist on the familiar tune The 12 Days of Christmas. I made an interactive activity to use on my iPad (iESLp app for the win…. zero printing, cutting or laminating). I used the book & activity in several sessions this week to target goals for plurals, possessive ‘s endings, colors, following directions, sequencing, quantity concepts, /s/- blends & more. Too hilarious that one of my patients figured out why the snowgirl was getting all dressed up….. to go on a date with her boyfriend Frosty. Ummm I hadn’t even noticed the tiny detail in the background on the last page… lol!

Free printable activity sheets: http://www.denisefleming.com/pages/book-activities/first-day-of-winter/activities.html#gsc.tab=0

Freebie on TPT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-First-Day-of-Winter-A-Literature-Unit-2950985

Poster:

Ideas to go with the book:

I used an app to create .png images of the red cap with a gold snap and the orange berries mouth by erasing the background from some orange beads. Glad I grabbed the app when it was free awhile back: Aftercut : Background Eraser & Easy Photo Editor, https://appsto.re/us/FeIt4.i.

iESLp by Irmgard Raubenheimer, https://appsto.re/us/NiPA2.i
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Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness & educational activities for kids of all abilities
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids:
http://m.me/OMazingKidsYoga
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omazingkids
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
YappGuru: http://yappguru.com/user/omazing-kids/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com
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Angela Moorad is the founder of OMazing Kids, LLC and is an ASHA certified & licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Kids Yoga Teacher with 27 years experience working in a variety of settings (early intervention, schools, teletherapy & a nonprofit pediatric rehab hospital for children with developmental disabilities). She is an app beta tester for educational & therapeutic app developers and loves sharing info about great apps, products, books & toys to use with kids of all abilities.

{Free Printable} Big Bear’s Opposites – a free printable from OMazing Kids to go with “Big Bear, Small Mouse” by Karma Wilson

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I love using all of Karma Wilson’s books in OMazing Kids speech therapy but I’m especially a fan of the Bear series. So much so that I chose this new book as the prize in the giveaway to celebrate passing the 12,000 likes milestone on the OMazing Kids Facebook page:

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My copy of her newest book “Big Bear, Small Mouse” arrived yesterday.

Love it and made these free printable opposite cards to go with the book. It includes all the characters & opposites from the book plus several additional opposite word pairs and phrase building cards to place the adjective + noun on.

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2-page PDF:

big-bears-opposites-a-free-printable-for-big-bear-small-mouse-by-karma-wilson-from-omazing-kids

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I ordered my copy of the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Big-Bear-Small-Mouse-Books/dp/1481459716

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Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness & educational activities for kids of all abilities
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: http://m.me/OMazingKidsYoga
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com
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Angela Moorad is the founder of OMazing Kids, LLC and is an ASHA certified & licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Kids Yoga Teacher with 27 years experience working in a variety of settings (early intervention, schools, teletherapy & a nonprofit pediatric rehab hospital for children with developmental disabilities). She is an app beta tester for educational & therapeutic app developers and loves sharing info about great apps, products, books & toys to use with kids of all abilities.
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{please ignore any ads that may appear below. This is a free blog and I don’t have any control over ads nor do I profit from them}

{Book Giveaway} 12K Giveaway on OMazing Kids: win a copy of Big Bear, Small Mouse by Karma Wilson & Jane Chapman

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{Book Giveaway} I am doing a giveaway to celebrate passing the 12,000 likes milestone on the OMazing Kids Facebook page.

I still remember initially trying to get 25 likes from friends and family in order to even set up this page in March 2011 as I was preparing to do my first presentation about kids yoga at a conference the next month. I’m humbled and excited to have an ever growing community to share with!

As I was browsing online looking for an idea for a prize for the giveaway, the new book “Big Bear, Small Mouse” being released next week by Karma Wilson & Jane Chapman struck me as being perfect!

Book Description: Even the smallest readers can have big fun with Bear in this sweet introduction to opposites from the New York Times bestselling creators of Bear’s New Friend. Bear is big, big, big, and mouse is small, small, small but these friends stick together through all the highs and lows! Join Bear and mouse as they spot all the opposites in their little glen. Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman team up again to bring the youngest Bear fans a delightful concept book that begs to be read out loud.

I preordered a copy for myself and will be making printable for the book and adding it to this post once it arrives.

https://www.amazon.com/Big-Bear-Small-Mouse-Books/dp/1481459716

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This giveaway is now CLOSED. Congratulations to Kim Rankin for her winning entry:

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Easy Entry Form (be sure you are on the original blog post for the entry form to show up. Previews in e-mail often don’t show it):

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

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Only entries with all required information will be valid. The info comes to me directly via e-mail & is ONLY used for the purposes of selecting winners and distributing prizes.

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Helpful Info & Tips:

  •  Folks had requested a simpler entry option. I tried Rafflecopter but most folks did not enter an address so now I’m trying this online contact form instead. I will be hand selecting winners to insure products end up in the hands of folks who will put them to the best use. Briefly tell me how winning this would help you & the kids. I take the time to read each entry so details count. It doesn’t have to be lengthy…. just heart-felt.
  • If you experience any problems with the entry form in this blog post, please send me a message on the OMazing Kids Facebook page with specific details so I can attempt to fix it. Facebook messaging for OMazing Kids: http://m.me/OMazingKidsYoga. The entry deadline may be extended at the sole discretion of OMazing Kids in the event of prolonged entry problems.
  • Each “giveaway” is handled separately on OMazing Kids. So there are no rules prohibiting previous winners from entering this or future giveaways. I really do read every entry in every giveaway carefully to insure that the products end up in the best hands to impact kids lives.

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Entry Deadline: 11:59pm CST on November 25, 2016.

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Rules of Participation:

  • Must be 18 years or older with a valid e-mail address.
  • One entry per person.
  • Due to shipping costs only USA entries are allowed for this particular giveaway.
  • Employees or family members of OMazing Kids, LLC or the product’s company are not eligible.
  • No purchase required.
  • Comments submitted via entries may be copied & pasted into the blog post.
  • Odds of winning will depend on the number of eligible entries received.
  • Only entries with all required information will be valid.
  • The winner will be chosen from valid entries on November 26, 2016.
  • The winners will be notified via e-mail, will be posted on the blog post & will be posted on the OMazing Kids Facebook page.
  • The prize will be mailed to the winner using the address submitted in the entry form. OMazing Kids is not responsible for items lost in the mail or for inaccuracies in the mailing address. I copy & paste the info directly from what you submit << so PLEASE proof read your entry for accuracy before submitting it…. in the era of iPhone auto correction these errors happen pretty frequently>>

Prize Value: $16.99

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1 winner will win a hardcover copy of this book. I will be shipping it directly to them from Amazon. Amazon requires a contact phone number for deliveries.
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Other Legal Stuff: I know it’s just a kids book but just to be safe here is all the legal stuff… This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. You are providing your information to OMazing Kids, LLC and not to Facebook. The information you provide will only be used for our internal purposes in relation to the administration of the giveaway. Your information will NOT be sold to any outside parties. Indemnification/Hold Harmless: By participating, entrants agree: (a) to the decisions of OMazing Kids, LLC, which shall be final in all respects; (b) to release, discharge, and hold harmless OMazing Kids, LLC and its respective representatives and agents from all liability, injuries, losses or damages of any kind to persons or property resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from the acceptance, possession, misuse or use of a prize, or from participation in and/or entry into the Contest or any Contest-related activity and for acceptance, delivery, or use of any prize; (c) that the foregoing parties have neither made nor are in any manner responsible or liable for any warranty, representation or guaranty, expressed or implied, in fact or in law, relating to any prize.
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Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness & educational activities for kids of all abilities
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: http://m.me/OMazingKidsYoga
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com
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Angela Moorad is the founder of OMazing Kids, LLC and is an ASHA certified & licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Kids Yoga Teacher with 27 years experience working in a variety of settings (early intervention, schools, teletherapy & a nonprofit pediatric rehab hospital for children with developmental disabilities). She is an app beta tester for educational & therapeutic app developers and loves sharing info about great apps, products, books & toys to use with kids of all abilities.
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{please ignore any ads that may appear below. This is a free blog and I don’t have any control over ads nor do I profit from them}

{Free Printable & Lesson Plan} Ladybug Girl Gives Thanks

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Have you seen the new line of Ladybug Girl board books? Board books are a great option when doing 1-on-1 activities. The sturdy pages and shortened text lend themselves well to repeated use with kids with special needs. I love this newest book in the Ladybug Girl series! It has a great message of gratitude and is filled with lots of opportunities for kids yoga: ladybug, dog, bumblebee breath, grasshopper (for Grasshopper Girl), crescent moon, standing star, tree, book (easy pose and open/close legs like turning pages in a book, pumpkin (child pose with hands at head for stem), pie making sequence (see details below) & ending with the Gratitude Relaxation guided relaxation and activities from the Yoga 4 Classrooms Activity Card Deck. I also include coloring as part of relaxation.

Get the free printable coloring page that I made for the yoga poses in this book:

ladybug-girl-gives-thanks-free-coloring-page-from-omazing-kids

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Pie making kids yoga sequence: 

  • roll out the pie dough (lay on belly & kids choose if they want their arms, legs or back rolled out with a pool noodle “rolling pin” or a real rolling pin – be mindful of kid’s sensory needs and always ask their permission before touching. Some kids may prefer to roll out their own arms or legs with the pool noodle)
  • easy pose legs as bowl, put in pumpkin, eggs, spices, etc., mix (stir the pot & do “washing machine” for mixer)
  • pie pose (seated angle)
  • tick-tock-toes timer (point-flex feet while saying “tick tock” as the pie “cooks” on your oven)
  • smell & “mmm” breath

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Fun idea:

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See this post for more ideas for teaching kids about gratitude and thankfulness. Includes lesson plans for several books, crafts, Gratitude Relaxation card and a music playlist:

Thanksgiving: Thankfulness, Giving and Gratitude Lesson Plan Ideas

And this album:

An album of Fall mandalas & coloring pages:

 

Also check out this fun new song:

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Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness & educational activities for kids of all abilities
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: https://www.facebook.com/messages/17426452595789
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omazingkids
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com

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Angela Moorad is the founder of OMazing Kids, LLC and is an ASHA certified & licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Kids Yoga Teacher with 27 years experience working in a variety of settings (early intervention, schools, teletherapy & a nonprofit pediatric rehab hospital for children with developmental disabilities). She is an app beta tester for educational & therapeutic app developers and loves sharing info about great apps, products, books & toys to use with kids of all abilities.

{Book Reviews} 5 Great Books for SLPs: Being Frank, Dragon and Captain, Hammer and Nails, Hey! That’s My Monster & I Need My Monster by Flashlight Press

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{Book Reviews} 5 Great Books for SLPs: Being Frank, Dragon and Captain, Hammer and Nails, Hey! That’s My Monster & I Need My Monster by Flashlight Press

  • Being Frank by Donna Earnhardt

Honesty is the best policy.” That’s Frank’s motto. But Frank’s overly frank comments tend to annoy his friends and teachers. Not even his own mother is all that fond of Frank’s “tell all” attitude. So Frank turns to his grandpa for help. “Everyone is mad at me for being frank. I’m not sure honesty is the best policy anymore.” A few outrageous hats, a spicy jar of relish, and some grandfatherly wisdom help Frank realize that truth is best served with more sugar and less pepper.

What I love as a SLP: This book is perfect to help kids with Autism or other special needs understand the concept of filtering the “truth” in a way that is considerate of another person’s feelings. The analogy of the truth being “best served with more sugar and less pepper” is fabulous!

Book trailer:

I’m planning on making an activity similar to this one to go with the book: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Social-Skill-Lesson-Honesty-without-Hurting-Feelings-2070400

Or this activity:

  • Dragon and Captain by P. R. Allabach

Dragon is a boy who always wears his dragon robe. And Captain is a boy with a three-sided hat. But as the boys’ imaginations take over, we see them as they see themselves, and the backyard as the boys see it: a dark forest, a craggy cliff, and the immense sea. Illustrated like a comic book but for kids at the picture book age level.

What I love as a SLP: I have been looking for a comic style picture book for younger kids after reading a post about using that style of books to help kids with Autism and other special needs understand the turn taking aspect of conversations. This book is exactly what I have been needing! I love the large illustrations and simple dialogue depicted on each page or two-page spread. This style of book also lends itself well to showing kids a sequence of events. It is also filled with lots of great vocabulary, verbs, adjectives, spatial concepts, predicting, inferencing, teamwork and imagination. The pirate theme is sure to be a hit with my patients! Even the end pages are illustrated as pirate’s map.

Book read aloud video:

 

  • Hammer and Nails by Josh Bledsoe

Darcy has plans. She and her friend are going to play dress up, do each other’s hair, and polish their nails. Daddy has plans, too. He’s going to read the paper, mow the lawn, and fix the fence. When Darcy’s friend cancels and she’s sure her day is ruined, Daddy suggests a Darcy-Daddy Day. Now they can tackle their to-do lists together. But will Darcy enjoy hammering? Will Daddy do nails? You bet! Join Darcy and Daddy as they discover the fun in trying new things, especially with someone you love.

What I love as a SLP: This book has great illustrations depicting emotions and a fabulous storyline of a day that a child thought was ruined by a change in plans instead turning into a fun-filled day with her Dad. I love that the day is a mixture of what the things she wanted to do and the things her Dad needed to accomplish. This book is filled with great examples of “flexible thinking” and discussing options. Lots of great vocabulary, verbs, adjectives, spatial concepts, taking turns, trying new things, silliness/humor and showing that even chores like mowing, laundry or fixing a fence can be fun if you use your imagination and are working together.

No video of this book yet but I’ll add one here later if one is made. In the meantime a cute picture:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BG18uFPKXxb/

 

  • Hey, That’s My Monster! by Amanda Noll

Hey, That’s MY Monster!, companion to the best-selling I Need My Monster, is an irresistible monster-under-the-bed story for all monster-loving kids. The perfect balance of giggles and shivers will keep you under your covers, and you’ll soon be sleeping soundly.

What I love as a SLP: This book has all the same great qualities as “I Need My Monster” with the added opportunities for pronouns (he, she, his, her). It is also fun to compare the monsters found in both books.

Book Trailer:

 

  •  I Need My Monster by Amanda Noll

One night, when Ethan checks under the bed for his monster, he finds a note instead: “Gone fishing. Back in a week. –Gabe”. What will Ethan do? He needs a monster under his bed. How is he supposed to get to sleep if his monster is gone? Substitute monsters appear, but none are just right. Herbert’s teeth aren’t sharp enough, Mack’s slobbering induces giggles, Cynthia’s tail isn’t scary at all, and Ralph has nail polish on his claws! This will never work! How will Ethan ever get to sleep without his monster?

What I love as a SLP: This book is filled with great vocabulary, verbs, adjectives and is fun to use to compare/contrast the monsters. I also used it on Halloween with several patients working on articulation. It was fun to find words with their target sounds. The illustrations are exquisite and the story is the perfect level of “just a little scary but mainly funny”. The end sheets are illustrated with lots of different monsters… fun for a game of “I spy”.

Book read aloud video:


Animated rendition of the book:

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Get free printables for each book: http://www.flashlightpress.com/Activity_Guides.html

Check out their catalog for a peek inside each book: http://www.flashlightpress.com/files/fpcat2016_v26.pdf

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Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness & educational activities for kids of all abilities
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: https://www.facebook.com/messages/17426452595789
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com

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Angela Moorad is the founder of OMazing Kids, LLC and is an ASHA certified & licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Kids Yoga Teacher with over 27 years experience working in a variety of settings (early intervention, schools, teletherapy & a nonprofit pediatric rehab hospital for children with developmental disabilities). She is an app beta tester for educational & therapeutic app developers and loves sharing info about great apps, products, books & toys to use with kids of all abilities.

{Book Review & Free Printable} The Great Spruce by John Duvall

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{Book Review} The Great Spruce by John Duvall

Together with his grandpa, a young boy finds a way to save his favorite tree in this heartwarming Christmas tale.

Alec loves to climb trees—the little apple trees, the wide willow trees, even the tall locust trees. But his favorite is the great spruce, with its sturdy trunk and branches that stretch up to the sky. Alec’s grandpa planted it as a sapling years and years before Alec was born, and every Christmas, Alec and his grandpa decorate the tree together, weaving tinsel and lights through its branches, making it shine bright.

But one day, a few curious men from the nearby city take notice of Alec’s glistening great spruce, and ask to take it away for their Christmas celebration. Though it’s a huge honor, Alec’s heartbroken at the idea of losing his friend. With great courage and creativity, Alec comes up with a plan to save his favorite tree in this joyful holiday tale.

Age Range: 5 – 8 years
Grade Level: Kindergarten – 3
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers (October 18, 2016)
Language: English
Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 0.4 x 11.8 inches

https://www.amazon.com/Great-Spruce-John-Duvall/dp/0399160841

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Book trailer:

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Here’s what I love about this book:

  • Nice positive story promoting concepts of being outdoors, family, community and protecting nature. The young boy saves the tree by offering up an alternative idea.
  • Lovely nostalgic illustrations on oversized pages of high-quality paper. Several scenes have smaller details to explore. Even the end sheets are illustrated.
  • Lots of great verbs, adjectives & prepositions.
  • Historical info at the end of the book about the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in New York City.
  • Pictured sequence and description for the steps in transplanting a tree at the end of the book.
  • The book has several opportunities for kids yoga: apple tree, willow tree, locust tree, great spruce tree, chair, forward fold digging, gyan mudra spy glass, cross crawl climbing, chainsaw buzzing breath, stop and think of alternatives, crane, boat, bridge, sleigh, smell of Christmas deep breath, plant a pinecone seed.

The “Making Friends with a Tree” guided relaxation script from “Imaginations Fun Relaxation Stories and Meditations for Kids” would be nice to use at the end of a kids yoga class based on this book.

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I made this free printable spruce mandala coloring page to go with the book:

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A spruce and ornaments mandala:

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Author’s website: http://www.thegreatspruce.com

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Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness & educational activities for kids of all abilities
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: https://www.facebook.com/messages/17426452595789
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omazingkids
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com
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Angela Moorad is the founder of OMazing Kids, LLC and is an ASHA certified & licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Kids Yoga Teacher with 27 years experience working in a variety of settings (early intervention, schools, teletherapy & a nonprofit pediatric rehab hospital for children with developmental disabilities). She is an app beta tester for educational & therapeutic app developers and loves sharing info about great apps, products, books & toys to use with kids of all abilities.

{Free Printable} If You Give a Mouse a Brownie PlayDoh Smash Mat

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{Free Printable} If You Give a Mouse a Brownie PlayDoh Smash Mat

My patients always love PlayDoh smash mats so I made this one to target vocabulary & the circular story sequence in the fun new book “If You Give a Mouse a Brownie”. Head over to this post on my OMazing Kids Facebook page to get the link to the free printable. I encourage everyone to “like” my page since I share info much more frequently there than on my blog: 

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{Tip: When using smash mats it helps to already have small balls of PlayDoh pre-rolled so you don’t use an entire can on the first two spots (true tales from the speechie room… lol!)}

Want ideas for core vocabulary to target during PlayDoh activities with AAC users? See this great Core Word 5 Minute Filler from Assistiveware: http://coreword.assistiveware.com/t/playdough-5-minute-filler/215

Looking for free printable story props for this book? Check out this post. Also contains info on a book page in TouchChat 60 Basic and ideas for apps & toys to extend the theme:

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Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness & educational activities for kids of all abilities
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: https://www.facebook.com/messages/17426452595789
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omazingkids
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com
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Angela Moorad is the founder of OMazing Kids, LLC and is an ASHA certified & licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Kids Yoga Teacher with 27 years experience working in a variety of settings (early intervention, schools, teletherapy & a nonprofit pediatric rehab hospital for children with developmental disabilities). She is an app beta tester for educational & therapeutic app developers and loves sharing info about great apps, products, books & toys to use with kids of all abilities.

{Free Printable} If You Give a Mouse a Brownie story props

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Yippee! So excited to have a new book in the If You Give a …… series! Love using all of these books in OMazing Kids speech therapy. So I programmed a book page in TouchChat with WordPower HD using the WordPower 60 Basic page set (one of my faves for younger kids) & made story props. I’m also planning on extending the theme with a variety of cooking toys and apps.

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Book:

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Apps:

Shiny Bakery by Shiny Things
https://appsto.re/us/thd6Q.i

Max & Ruby Bunny Bake Off by CUPCAKE DIGITAL INC
https://appsto.re/us/D-Qy2.i

Foodo Kitchen by TutuLab
https://appsto.re/us/PK42Y.i

My Little Cook: I bake delicious cakes by Kids’ Mania
https://appsto.re/us/T7LG0.i

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Toy:

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Here are the free printable story props (1 page PDF):

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More free printables:

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Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness & educational activities for kids of all abilities
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: https://www.facebook.com/messages/17426452595789
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omazingkids
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com

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Angela Moorad is the founder of OMazing Kids, LLC and is an ASHA certified & licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Kids Yoga Teacher with 27 years experience working in a variety of settings (early intervention, schools, teletherapy & a nonprofit pediatric rehab hospital for children with developmental disabilities). She is an app beta tester for educational & therapeutic app developers and loves sharing info about great apps, products, books & toys to use with kids of all abilities.

Three Fun Books: Mr. Cookie Baker, Truck Driver Tom & Firefighter Frank (ideas for therapy & AAC)

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I love Monica Wellington’s books! Excited that her publisher sent me these three books to add to my OMazing Kids library. Lots of fun possibilities for targeting goals in speech therapy:

* Firefighter Frank board book (smaller size and sturdy pages make board books especially easy to incorporate side-by-side with AAC; lots of great opportunities for verbs: work, wash, visit, sit, cook, eat, slide, jump, climb, go, run, spray, rescue, sleep; adjectives: clean, fast, tall, hungry, tired; prepositions: at, in, out, down, up, off; and additional core vocabulary for AAC users: is, ready, when)

* Mr. Cookie Baker (lots of great opportunities for verbs: make, count, measure, mix, roll, cut, bake, decorate, come, show, sell, close; adjectives: early, delicious, colored, hungry, proud, crowded; and additional core vocabulary for AAC users: get, make, for, out, with, in)

* Truck Driver Tom (lots of great opportunities for verbs: drive, look, haul, work, honk, stretch, fill, cross, arrive, deliver, order, eat, meet, sleep; adjectives: big, fresh, fast, slow, bumpy, busy, crowded, hungry, tired; prepositions: off, on, in, down, over, through, around, up; and additional core vocabulary for AAC users: to, for, done)

Of course I also love to expand themes using toys & apps. Here are some faves to go with these themes:

Firefighters:

Imaginext Fire Truck Playset by Fisher Price

Free printable kids yoga cards: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Firefighter-Yoga-2781763

Free printables & craft ideas: https://www.kidssoup.com/activity/firefighter-and-fire-safety-activities-lessons-and-crafts

Brave Fireman HD: Educational Puzzle Game for Kids by iAppsTeam
https://appsto.re/us/xbM5U.i

Tiny Firefighters: Police & Firefighters for Kids by wonderkind GmbH
https://appsto.re/us/Jb8QL.i

Jobi’s Fire Station by Yellephant Co., Ltd.
https://appsto.re/us/8Yhd4.i

Fire Truck by Good Glue
https://appsto.re/us/3I6tD.i

Do Your Part, Be Fire Smart by Positive Promotions
https://appsto.re/us/GQIKdb.i

Kids Vehicles: Emergency – Police, Fire & Rescue by Yaycom s.c.
https://appsto.re/us/ZOVTdb.i

Cookies / Baking:

Melissa & Doug Slice and Bake Cookie Set:

Free printables: http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.net/2015/01/mr-cookie-baker-kindergarten-literature-unit/

Cookie Doodle by Shoe the Goose
https://appsto.re/us/wxhzu.i

Shiny Bakery by Shiny Things
https://appsto.re/us/thd6Q.i

Easy-Bake Treats! by Hasbro, Inc.
https://appsto.re/us/shBLB.i

My Little Cook: I bake delicious cakes by Kids’ Mania
https://appsto.re/us/T7LG0.i

Max & Ruby Bunny Bake Off by CUPCAKE DIGITAL INC
https://appsto.re/us/D-Qy2.i

Happy Bakery Funny Game by BieMore Co., Ltd.
https://appsto.re/us/NGDedb.i

Trucks:

Green Toys Dump Truck: https://www.amazon.com/Green-Toys-Dump-Truck-5512757/dp/B001Q3KU9Q

Super Nano Trucks by Bughouse
https://appsto.re/us/r4HH4.i

Big City Vehicles – Cars and Trucks for Kids by The Melody Book
https://appsto.re/us/8DtE7.i

Kids Vehicles: City Trucks & Buses HD for the iPad by Yaycom s.c.
https://appsto.re/us/ERZBC.i

ToyBrush 3D – Cars, Planes, Trucks and More by Croco Studio
https://appsto.re/us/Glgx5.i

I Like Trucks Picture Book for Kids by Innovative Investments Limited
https://appsto.re/us/4H65z.i

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Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist & Kids Yoga Teacher
Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness & educational activities for kids of all abilities
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: https://www.facebook.com/messages/17426452595789
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omazingkids
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com
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Angela Moorad is the founder of OMazing Kids, LLC and is an ASHA certified & licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Kids Yoga Teacher with 27 years experience working in a variety of settings (early intervention, schools, teletherapy & a nonprofit pediatric rehab hospital for children with developmental disabilities). She is an app beta tester for educational & therapeutic app developers and loves sharing info about great apps, products, books & toys to use with kids of all abilities.