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Reading Rockets' children's literature expert, Maria Salvadore, brings you into her world as she explores the best ways to use kids' books both inside — and outside — of the classroom.

Children's attachments…

November 17, 2008

I was talking to a friend this morning and she told me both of her children loved their new winter coats; and that even before the recent cold snap, both the 2-year-old and the 5-year-old wore their new apparel with glee.

It reminded me that many children develop a fondness for a particular item. My son loved to wear his Batman cape long — even a year — after Halloween and he had an old worn burp cloth that was his "lovie," not unlike Owen's Fuzzy in the book entitled Owen (Greenwillow) by Kevin Henkes.

Author Amy Hest shows a particular sensitivity to children and the power of particular items of clothing. In her book called In the Rain with Baby Duck (Candlewick), Hest introduces Baby Duck who dislikes wet weather — quite unusual for a duck. But a trip to the attic with Grandpa where they find a bit of family history and red boots certainly improves the situation.

Another grandfather in Hest's Purple Coat (Simon & Schuster) comes up with a creative solution to the annual navy blue coat for Gabrielle (who really wants a purple coat).

Children do develop connections to odd things and peculiar pieces of clothing (I wonder what ever happened to my cowgirl boots!?) but recognition by a concerned adult — and even a suggested solution found in a book — may make it an opportunity to share something special.

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Note: Comments are owned by the poster. We are not responsible for their content.

Thank you for reminding me of Amy Hest! That brings a whole new slew of great books to check out with my 3 year old at the library! :)

Posted by: Lindsay  |  November 19, 2008 11:15 PM

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