A dog. A guitar. Ice cream. Dinosaurs. All in one story! We are excited to share with you a wonderful and entertaining storybook geared towards young children. Written by Eric Litwin (author of Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes), the storybook Groovy Joe Ice Cream and Dinosaurs focuses on the concept of sharing in a fun and unique way!
When we meet our main character, Groovy Joe, he is living the life – with a guitar, a spoon, and some ice cream. He is interrupted by unexpected visitors who want their share of his ice cream. Groovy Joe’s answer? “It’s awesome to share!” Throughout the story, events occur that will encourage your child to anticipate what comes next and think outside of the box.
As a music therapy agency, we are always looking for ways to assist children in practicing a variety of skills, from color and number identification to appropriate ways to communicate in social settings. Groovy Joe Ice Cream and Dinosaurs focuses on social interactions, problem-solving, and the importance of sharing. If you find yourself in need of some fun and engaging activities to do with your young children, we have a few tips for how you can use this storybook to your advantage. While reading Groovy Joe Ice Cream and Dinosaurs, keep in mind these suggestions:
1. Use your body!
Children are often more engaged and are more likely to pay attention if you make reading fun for them. This book affords you many opportunities to exaggerate your facial expressions and body movements to add to the story. Don’t be afraid to roar like a dinosaur, stomp or smash with your feet, and dance around with your child!
2. Use silence to enhance the story.
There are many instances where you can lead your child to an answer or help them anticipate what is going to happen next. Don’t be afraid to use silence!
3. Pair a fun and engaging song with the story.
Singing and reading with your child is an effective way to keep their attention and to bring a smile to their face while you read. Kayla Davitt, an employee at UMTC, has created an original melody to use within the story:
We hope you enjoy this book! For more resources and activities to use with your child, please explore our “Resources” tab on the top menu.
If you are interested in purchasing Groovy Joe Ice Cream and Dinosaurs to use in your homeschooling adventures, follow this link to Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Groovy-Joe-Ice-Cream-Dinosaurs/dp/0545883784
This blog was submitted by: Kayla Davitt
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