National Literacy Campaign Coincides with August’s Get Ready for Kindergarten Month and the Release of New PAJANIMALS Books from Running Press Kids
The Jim Henson Company, a leader in family entertainment for over 50 years, and its adorable PAJANIMALS, are partnering with the Association of American Publishers (AAP) on its Celebrity Get Caught Reading campaign this August, coinciding with Get Ready for Kindergarten Month and the release of a slate of new PAJANIMALS books from Running Press Kids.
The Get Caught Reading campaign was developed by the AAP and launched in 1999 to promote and celebrate the joy of reading, and is embraced by thousands of celebrities, booksellers, teachers and librarians who continue to support this campaign across the country. The celebrity Get Caught Reading posters, including PAJANIMALS, can be ordered for free here– all you pay is shipping! https://www.getcaughtreading.org/
It should come as no surprise that one of the best ways to prepare young children for their first educational experience – Kindergarten – is by reading with them. In fact, in an article entitled Getting Ready for Kindergarten for Education.com, writer Skila Brown reported: “The consensus among teachers is that reading aloud, talking about school, and getting your child emotionally and physically ready are the big steps parents need to take before the school bell rings.” Following a story requires focus, imagination, and an interest to know what comes next, all essential skills for kindergarten readiness. Sarah Powell, Project Coordinator at Peabody School of Education at Vanderbilt University urges parents, “Read to your child. Parents should simply read to their child and talk about the importance of doing well in school to get their child ready for kindergarten.”
Reading stories that resonate with a child’s emotions about starting school may also help. Running Press Kids’ PAJANIMALS board book with stickers, like It’s Apollo’s Special Day and Sweet Pea Sue Makes a New Friend may create positive anticipation for the first day of kindergarten, helping to alleviate a child’s anxiety. Other stories, like board book Sweet Pea Sue Misses Mom & Dad or paperbacks like Apollo Has a Bad Day or Squacky is Afraid of the Dark, are wonderful ways to initiate discussions with kids about expectations and fears regarding their new classroom environment.
Children will enjoy cuddling up with an all-new Pajanimal Pal from TOMY while they practice reading one of the new PAJANIMALS books. Toddlers won’t be able to put this blankie down with the super soft satin on one side and cuddly fleece on the other. Available in each of the characters from the show with their matching pajama prints.
We received a copy of the adorable board book with stickers called, Sweet Pea Sue Makes a New Friend, as well as a Pajanimal Pal, ‘Squacky’ to review.
In Sweet Pea Sue Makes a New Friend, Sweet Pea Sue can’t sleep because she’s scared of a picture of an octopus she saw in a book. When the Pajanimals go to the Big, Blue Sea, they meet Ellie, a real octopus. To Sweet Pea Sue’s surprise, Ellie is scared of the Pajanimals. The two realize that there’s nothing to be afraid of because they just want to be friends.
Here is Braxton with his Pajanimals book and Squacky Pajanimals Pal
Our Experience: This sturdy board book is a favorite of Braxton’s. It has a great story and Braxton loves to have me read it to him before bed. He is going into first grade, but still, I completely agree with the National Literacy Campaign about the importance of reading to your child as much as possible. During the summer, kids may lose a little bit of their reading skills if you do not work with them. This book is great for Braxton to help him sound out words, and to practice reading while he is not in school. I absolutely love the reusable stickers that come with this book. It is so much fun to sit with Braxton and watch him place the stickers in their proper places throughout the story. It is a great activity for my child and I to spend time together.
The Pajanimals Pal, ‘Squacky’ is simply adorable! it is geared more toward toddlers, but Braxton, who is almost 7 years old, loves this soft plush snuggly toy. He likes to take it to bed with him and he often falls asleep with it touching his cheek. So sweet!
PAJANIMALS currently airs daily on Sprout, the 24-hour preschool channel parents and kids share together and also airs on Saturday mornings on NBC Kids, The PAJANIMALS series follows the adventures of four cuddly musical puppets — Sweet Pea Sue, Squacky, Cowbella and Apollo. Their journeys celebrate imagination and tackle typical toddler issues such as the fear of the first day of school, making new friends and learning how to share. The PAJANIMALS end their day of play with a relaxing return to their cozy bedroom and familiar nighttime routines, including bathing, brushing teeth and story time, to develop a feeling of safety and structure.
visit www.sproutonline.com website to participate in the various PAJANIMALS’ activities and play the latest PAJANIMALS’ games online!
Be sure to check out:
Pajanimals’ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Pajanimals
The Jim Henson Company Facebook: www.facebook.com/hensoncompany
Twitter: @hensonparents
Running Press Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RunningPressKids
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RP_Kids Sprout
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Sprout
Twitter: @SproutTV
Get Caught ReadingWebsite: https://www.getcaughtreading.org/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WhatAreYouReading
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ReadingWithAAP
Win: One winner will receive a copy of Sweet Pea Sue Makes a New Friend board book with stickers. (Retail Value: $7.95)
How? It’s Easy! Just enter below using the Rafflecopter form. Good Luck!!!
Disclaimer: I received samples of the products mentioned above to review and to keep. The opinions are my own.