Stories
I am so Handsome
Then the wolf met the three little pigs.
'Hey, little bacon bits! Still skipping about in the woods trying to lose weight? Tell me, little butterballs, who's the handsomest of all?' demanded the wolf.
Listen to I am so Handsome by Mario Ramos, read by Thomas La Hood.
Video produced by Rebecca Pilcher of Wellington City Libraries in association with Gecko Press. Illustration © Mario Ramos.)
I am the King
One Morning Tortoise suddenly finds himself wearing a crown. 'I am the King!' he says. His friends can't stop laughing. Goat, Flamingo, Snake, Pig, Crocodile, Elephant and Ape each think they would make a perfect king. But who really is the King of the animals?
Listen to I am the king by Leo Timmers, read by Thomas La Hood.
Video produced by Rebecca Pilcher of Wellington City Libraries in association with Gecko Press. Illustration © Leo Timmers.)
Please use this link to further explore the Wellington Library children's book site - from Wellington City Library
Story Telling Techniques
Quality reading time encourages your child to ask questions, point at pictures and interact with the story.
Children tend to like favourite books read over and over. Here are some ways to keep the story interesting and help children build important literacy skills.
Emerging reading skills
Before reading a story talk about the cover of the book, it’s title, the illustration and the author’s name. Encourage your child to predict what the story is about from looking at the cover picture.
Sometimes point to the words as you read. By following your finger your child will learn that the words go from left to right and from top to bottom on the page.
Use an animated voice
Make the book come alive. Use your voice in a variety of ways to illustrate different feelings and characters.
As you read encourage participation
Pause from time to time during the story to give your child the chance to join in with memorised words and phrases.
Sing the story
Make up a tune that fits and encourage your child to join in.
Make the story fun
Try changing the words of a favourite story – this becomes a fun game for your child to correct your “mistakes”
Make up a new story
Help your child to make up his own story from the pictures asking open ended questions “What do you see in the pictures” “What might happen next”
Talk about the story
Ask questions about how your child thinks the characters are feeling. Why they are acting in a certain ways. This will help develop observation and reasoning skills. Use books to discuss topics such as anger, kindness, greed, sadness…
Favourite authors and illustrators
Talk about the author and illustrator by name. Discuss with your child pictures and stories that are enjoyed or disliked. Compare books and pictures by the same author illustrator.
| These activities link to the Early Childhood Curriculum document Te Whāriki |
| Strand 4 - Communication Goals Children experience an environment where • They develop verbal and non-verbal communication skills for a range of purposes • They experience the stories and symbols of their own and other cultures |