18 Comments
Mar 11Liked by Alexis Davis

I hadn’t realised until quite recently that there were ‘reading wars’. I came to it in fact via researching early years maths, learning then about the maths wars (or possibly I ought to say ‘math’ wars as it seems the largest battles are being fought in the US) which led me towards ‘the science of reading’ and said ‘wars’.

I do think it’s good people care so much about children’s literacy that they’re willing to ‘war’ over it — though personally I’d rather wage ‘war’ on the powers that be shutting libraries down left, right and centre. 😕

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Girl! Yes please can we do what work we can to stop all the book bans and libraries being defunded?! (what’s that you say? Should I make it a newsletter topic?!). It is so good that people care!! Good point! And also frustrating that oftentimes it’s probably finding a middle ground that would benefit the most people.

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Mar 14Liked by Alexis Davis

We adore the whole Chirri & Chirra series! 🚲💛

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Thanks for the link to SoNovelicious; that was so kind of you!

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Mar 12Liked by Alexis Davis

I want to read “If Winter Comes, Tell It I’m Not Here” as I am feeling very over winter in the beautiful PNW when we haven’t had a day over 60 since October here! Brrrrrr

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Haha! Sorry you are so cold!! Spoiler: the kid decides he loves winter too! You should read it because it is so cute and makes you love all the seasons.

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Thanks for the shout-out Alexis! Chirri and Chirra looks so beautiful! I'm going to have to look into this series.

With how popular Japanese storytelling is here in the US (across the brilliant animated films to manga and anime), you'd think Japanese children's literature would be more mainstream!

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Good point! I’d never really thought about how few Japanese kid lit books I’ve read compare to how many tv shows, movies, and comics I’ve read or encountered! I wonder why?

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I always bring my swimsuit and puffy coat on vacations :)

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Way to be prepared! Was it you polar plunging in lake Chelan? You aren’t kidding!!

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Sweep is a favorite read-aloud in our house, especially with several of us who tend to get swept away now and again. :) <3 I can't wait to check out some of these other titles!

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Also, I hope you do check out some of the other titles and let me know if you like them or what you think!

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Right?! Guilty!!

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Love the gorgeous book covers on Sweep and If Winter Comes, Tell It I'm Not Here!

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They are both so beautiful and engaging with both pictures and story!! Hope you check them out.

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Another great post! I was not familiar with Chall but from a quick glance at some of the links you provided, I tend to side with her that sight words aren't effective. I'm going through it all now with my Kindergartener. She does much better when I sit down and teach her phonetic awareness at home.

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I’d never heard of her either until I started reading up about reading wars and she still seems a bit obscure, so it’s been fun to discover and learn more about different schools of thought as I go. Mostly I realized I wanted to try to highlight a historical woman who had done some good for reading and literacy and I stumbled on her, but I am sure there are soooo many more!

Sending you all the patience and positivity with your kindergartner and learning to read! I know the struggles and joys are so real in those moments.

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