Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP. Over 33 years experience in AAC. OMazing Kids AAC and app consulting. Creator of several AAC Feature Matching resources (https://omazingkidsllc.com/omazing-kids-aac-resource-links/). Includes info about unique features to support Gestalt Language Processors
{Book Review} “The Gingerbread Man and the Leprechaun Loose at School” by Laura Murray
Uh-Oh! This leprechaun is trouble!
After a mischievous leprechaun makes a mess in the school band room, the Gingerbread Man vows to catch him. He follows the leprechaun’s clues all around the building finding chaos everywhere–even in the library! But then he finds a clue that almost scares the buttons off of him. It says the leprechaun’s next target might be a house made of gingerbread! Luckily, the Gingerbread Man makes it to his classroom in time to set a trap for the leprechaun. He’ll show that mischief maker that he messed with the wrong cookie this time. ”I’m on a mission! I’ve got a good plan. I can catch him! I’m the Gingerbread Man!”
. What I love about this book:
* wonderful rhyming text that is fun to read
* funny illustrations (many have speech bubbles)
* lots of great verbs & adjectives
* clues for where the leprechaun is going next
I can’t wait to use this book in March as part of a St. Patrick’s Day theme ☘🍀.
{Book Review} My Pillow Keeps Moving by Laura Gehl
A clever pup ends up in a cozy home, and she’ll do anything to stay there. She impersonates everything the lonely homeowner needs–a pillow, a footstool, a jacket. But in the end, being herself works best. Laura Gehl’s spare, humorous text and New Yorker cartoonist Christopher Weyant’s expressive characters will leave young readers giggling and begging for more.
What I love about this book: Over half of the pages in this fun book are wordless…. great for sparking conversations about the comical illustrations. The pages that contain text have lots of adjectives. This book is a fun new addition to my speechie library 📚.
I’m a huge fan of Lita’s books so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review this new one. Here’s what I LOVE about it:
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Gorgeous rich illustrations in deep calming colors.
Great message of being patient, waiting and enjoying silence.
Large easy to read text on each 2-page spread. I love that some pages have minimal text so the focus can be on the details in the illustrations.
Peep’s sounds are fun for kids to attempt to imitate (ploppety splop, swish swoooooo, scrrinkle scrattle, schweepity peep, chickity choot, hoooo, scwheeee, thwump, etc….).
As an added bonus, there are a few opportunities for kids yoga activities based on the illustrations and text: owl, rooftop partners, star, crescent moon, blowing wind breath, tree, squirrel, bird, mouse, snowflake, self hug, etc.
I love using great picture books in OMazing Kids speech therapy and kids yoga! Guess what this book is fun for both. I love the colorful illustrations, facial expressions of the characters, how the color of the text changes to help depict which character is talking, logical consequences for behaviors, offering options, the subtle use of kids yoga for calming and a happy ending.
. More about the book: While Dad tucks her in, a little girl named Grace calmly recounts her day—which was anything but calm. She had a tantrum (because of some injustices involving a purple shirt and breakfast cereal) and was banished to her bedroom before deciding to run away. Understanding that kids have ups and downs, Grace’s mom wisely gave her daughter the space and time she needed to reach her own decision to return home—to open arms. The Day I Ran Away amusingly captures Grace’s mutable moods and childlike logic. Warm, humorous digital paintings offer fun details to keep little listeners busy. Kids can compare the bedtime and daytime scenes and try to figure out how Grace got that purple paw-print on her cheek—and when it got washed away. They can mimic Grace’s facial expressions or copy her poses for some soothing bedtime yoga. And of course, they can create a safe place to run away to when the injustices of Pre-K existence become too much to bear. A pop-up tent in the yard and the haven beneath the dining room table are excellent run-away destinations, as long as you come home for dinner.
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Age Range: 5 – 7 years
Grade Level: Kindergarten – 2
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Flashlight Press (April 1, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1936261898
ISBN-13: 978-1936261895
Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 0.4 x 10.2 inches
. This publisher always has great printables to go with their books:http://flashlightpress.com/the-day-i-ran-away/ (tap on “Activity Guides”). I especially like “The Day I Ran Away Yoga”and “What Would You Pack?”
I love using great kids picture books in my work as a SLP and especially like books that invite readers to interact with the story! This new book has fun colorful illustrations and asks the reader to think about what will happen when they turn the page to “splat” what is on the right page on top of what is on the left page. I also love the facial expressions on the emoji-like character…. lol 😂
See a video of the book being read:
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I made a free printable to use as a Play-doh smash mat to go along with this book:
{Book Review} Clinical Workbook for Speech-Language Pathology Assistants by Robert Kraemer & Jacqueline Bryla
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This workbook is the first of its kind to feature treatment activities using iPad apps in addition to traditional therapeutic activities and materials. Each activity is explained with detailed, step-by-step instructions and supporting photographs. Includes activities for the following areas: speech (articulation, phonological disorders and childhood apraxia of speech), communicative intent, language, social skills, complex communication needs and AAC, voice, fluency, early literacy & positive behavior supports.
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Spiral-bound: 278 pages
Publisher: Plural Publishing, Inc.; 1 edition (February 1, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1597568902
ISBN-13: 978-1597568906
Product Dimensions: 0.8 x 8.8 x 10.8 inches
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I was thrilled to have the opportunity to provide feedback to Jackie as she spent countless hours writing this book and to now get to see the finished product for this review!
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Here’s what I love about this book:
The activities ideas are easy to follow with step-by-step instructions and are enhanced by black and white screenshots from apps and photos of kids participating.
Includes ideas for individual and group sessions.
QR codes, App Store links and websites make it easy to find the exact app or materials being used for each activity.
Great ideas for targeting goals for early communication with the “Knock-Knock Box” program including objects to include in the kit, skills to target, and specific verbs and concepts associated with each object in the kit.
Fun ideas and activities for targeting core vocabulary for AAC users.
Several activities include printables from SLPs on Teachers Pay Teachers.
Awesome wire spiral binding will hold up well with repeated use and allows the book to stay open to a specific page when placed on the table.
Includes a wide variety of apps. Examples of apps included in this workbook are: Articulation Station, Secret Mission Articulation, Phono Learning Center, PhonoPix, Word FLiPS, Apraxia Ville, Apraxia RainbowBee, several Sago Mini apps, StoryToys Touch Look Listen My First Words, Question Therapy by Tactus, WordToob, the My PlayHome series of apps, Auditory Memory Club, Social Quest, Between the Lines series of apps by Hamaguchi, Social Norms by Virtual Speech Center, Proloquo2Go, TouchChat HD with WordPower, Avaz Pro, Clicker Communicator, Toto’s Treehouse by Dr. Panda, What’s in the Bag?, Pogg, several Tiggly apps, Word Wizard and Writing Wizard by L’Escapadou, Mystery Word Town by Artgig, Conversation Paceboard by Aptus, Fluency SIS, Decibel 10th, FluencyCoach, ChoiceWorks visual schedule and visual supports app, Custom Boards, Jigsaw Wonder Puzzles series of apps by Eggroll Games, Wellbeyond Meditation for Kids, Thinkrolls series of apps by Avokiddo, Winky Think by Spinlight Studios, Busy Shapes, Crazy Gears and Busy Water apps by Edoki, open ended play apps by Toca Boca, Touch and Write series of apps by FizzBrain, etc….
Although this workbook was designed for SLPAs, it would also be a great resource for SLPs who may have just gotten their first iPad and are looking for ideas to get up to speed quickly on apps and how they can be incorporated into therapy. Once you get inspiration from these examples you could easily apply similar strategies to other apps you may get. See this post for my list of apps for SLPs broken out by goal areas: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2016/12/31/the-ipad-the-slp-in-2017-app-list-for-slps-sorted-by-goal-area/.
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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!
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:
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”.
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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.
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
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.
{Book Review} The Gingerbread Man Loose at the Zoo by Laura Murray
About the book: Is there anything more fun than a class trip to the zoo? The Gingerbread Man and his classmates don’t think so, and they get to solve riddles on a WILD scavenger hunt. They meet giraffes, monkeys, and even a fox (especially scary for a Gingerbread Man!). Animals galore and a trail of clues make the Gingerbread Man’s latest adventure his wildest one yet.
What I love about this book:
wonderful rhyming text that is fun to read
funny illustrations (many have speech bubbles)
lots of great verbs & adjectives
simple animal riddles
lots of opportunities for kids yoga activities based on the animals and other elements in the book (frog, owl, wolf, snake, giraffe, monkey, lion, elephant, bear, mole rat (child’s pose), zebra, rhino, seal, crocodile, fox, kangaroo, bus, gyan mudra looking glasses, cross crawl hike)
{Book Review} Maggi and Milo Make New Friends by Juli Brenning
I work with lots of kids who struggle with making friends so this new book is sure to become a fave. I love the whimsical illustrations and fun storyline…. especially the scavenger hunt that is filled with great descriptive language and the message of working together.
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About the book: Perfect for fans of Ladybug Girl, this playground adventure about the joy of making new friends continues the story of the plucky girl-and-dog duo from Maggi and Milo. Maggi is an irrepressible girl with an equally awesome best friend: her dog, Milo. So when Mom suggests a day at the park with other kids, Maggi isn’t sure. All she needs is Milo, afer all. But off to the playground they go—only to find that no dogs are allowed! Maggi wants to stay behind, but the other kids are having so much fun that she decides to go in. Before long, she has a whole group of new friends, and all of them want to try walking Milo. But first, they have to find a family of rollie-pollies, complete a treasure hunt, and build a pirate ship. When it’s time to go, Maggi waves goodbye to her new friends—but she knows she’s going home with Milo, her best friend of all.
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