Children's Book Club

Synopsis

A young girl visits a vibrant Japanese festival with her mother and grandmother, surrounded by colorful decorations and delicious treats. When her grandmother shares a magical folktale, the festival’s excitement grows—until the girl and her mother are separated from her grandmother. They imagine themselves as stars, characters in the tale, to search for the missing grandmother. Their heartfelt search under the festival lights brings them together again, uniting them in joyful celebration.

Main Themes:

• Generational Family Relationships and Connections
• Japanese Traditions and Culture
• Hope and Reunion

Objectives

• Understand how dialogic reading initiates conversation, develops listening skills, builds vocabulary, and fosters critical thinking and empathy in young readers.
• Engage with fellow educators from diverse early childhood settings to gain fresh perspectives on how read-alouds can spark curiosity and wonder in children.
• Craft engaging book prompts that invite children into the heart of the story, making every read-aloud a shared journey of discovery.
• Learn how multicultural books can support multilingual learners and develop cultural awareness and understanding in the classroom.

General Information

Enhance your professional skills in a four-week virtual experience focused on the latest evidence-based ECE practices. Collaborate with fellow educators, earn clock hours, and get your book fully covered.

What to Expect

• Collaborative Learning: Read and discuss the selected children’s book alongside peers, guided by an expert moderator.
• Activity: Participate in three online meetings, contribute to discussion boards, and submit an observation
• Flexible Engagement: Participants have access to optional meeting times, recorded sessions, and sufficient time to submit questions and posts.

Perks & Completion

• $0 Registration: The book club is 100% free to join.
• Earn 10 PD Clock-Hours: Receive an official clock-hour certificate upon completing the study requirements.
• Book Reimbursement: Get an Amazon gift card valued at the cost of the book.

Registration Requirements

To participate in the Children's Book Club, registrants will need to confirm they can:

• Purchase and finish reading the book. A link to a purchase site is provided.
• Confirm technical capabilities. Guidelines for accessing virtual meetings, participating in discussion threads, and completing online forms are provided.
• Participate. Attend meetings, engage in discussion threads, review communications, and complete a short quiz.
• Be respectful. Communications must be professional, polite, and considerate of diverse perspectives.
• Enjoy! Be inspired by new knowledge, new colleagues, and new ways to help young learners thrive!