Siblings reading Brudders Learns How to Make Friends

September is National Literacy Month—a time to celebrate the joy and importance of reading! Literacy is a fundamental skill that plays a crucial role in a child's development, helping them grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Reading not only enhances language and cognitive skills but also opens doors to endless imagination and creativity. 

At Brudders® Books, we are dedicated to fostering a love of reading in children by creating stories that engage, inspire, and teach. In this blog post, we’ll explore why literacy matters and share some fun ways to celebrate National Literacy Month with your family using Brudders books!

Why Literacy Matters

The Power of Early Literacy

Early exposure to reading can significantly impact a child's development. Research shows that children who are read to from a young age develop stronger language skills, enhanced cognitive abilities, and a richer vocabulary. Reading helps stimulate a child’s imagination, encouraging them to think critically and creatively. Engaging with books from an early age sets the foundation for lifelong learning and curiosity, making it essential for parents and educators to introduce children to the wonders of reading as early as possible.  But most importantly, reading with a child as early in life as possible strengthens the parent-child bond.

Literacy & Confidence

Strong literacy skills are closely linked to a child’s self-esteem and confidence. As children become more proficient in reading, they gain the confidence to express themselves, participate in classroom discussions, and engage with peers. Reading stories that feature relatable characters and challenges also allows children to see themselves in different situations, helping them navigate their emotions and build resilience. With Brudders® Books, children not only develop essential literacy skills but also learn valuable life lessons that boost their self-confidence.

A Lifelong Skill

Literacy is not just about reading words on a page; it is a lifelong skill that influences academic success and future opportunities. Strong readers tend to perform better in school, leading to more positive educational outcomes and increased opportunities in adulthood. By fostering a love of reading early on, parents can help their children build a solid foundation for a successful and fulfilling life.

How to Celebrate National Literacy Month with Brudders® Books

Family storytime with Brudders Books

Create a Daily Reading Routine

One of the best ways to celebrate National Literacy Month is by establishing a daily reading routine with your child. If you’re new to Brudders® Books, we recommend starting with the Brudders Interactive Reading Bundle.  It includes the first two books in our series, great for any age, discussion cards, and the adorable Snuggle Brudders! (our soft and snuggly interactive reading plush)  

Save on Brudders Interactive Reading Bundles

Consistent reading habits help reinforce the importance of literacy and encourage children to explore new worlds through stories. Set aside time each day—whether it's in the morning, before bed, or after dinner—for dedicated reading time. Choose a comfortable and cozy spot, and let your child select their favorite Brudders book to read together. The key is to make reading a fun and consistent part of your daily schedule.

Engage with Interactive Storytelling

A whole Discussion Question spread from Brudders Learns The Power of Confidence

Reading doesn’t have to be a passive activity. Make storytime more engaging by incorporating interactive elements! In our Brudders bundles, we offer question cards and other tools designed to make reading interactive and fun. As you read a story, pause to ask your child questions about the plot, characters, or illustrations. Encourage them to predict what might happen next or to share how they would feel if they were in the character’s shoes. This interactive approach keeps children engaged, improves comprehension, and allows them to connect more deeply with the story.

Enjoy Family Reading Time

Reading together as a family is a wonderful way to bond and create lasting memories. During National Literacy Month, make it a point to schedule family reading sessions where everyone participates. Take turns reading aloud, discuss the story afterward, and share your favorite parts. Reading as a family not only strengthens the bond between parents and children but also fosters a love of stories that can be passed down through generations. With Brudders Books, you have a variety of stories that appeal to different age groups, making it easy to choose a story that everyone will enjoy.

Conclusion

National Literacy Month is a great reminder of the vital role reading plays in a child's development and overall success. By incorporating fun and interactive reading practices, parents can help nurture a love of reading in their children that lasts a lifetime. Brudders Books is here to support you on this journey with engaging stories and tools designed to make reading a joyful and enriching experience. Celebrate this September by committing to daily reading, making storytime interactive, and bonding with your family over a good book. Happy reading!

Creating a positive classroom environment with effective classroom management strategies for elementary students can be a daunting task for elementary teachers.

But fear not - Brudders the bear is here to help! First grade teacher, Miss Kelly, shares how she uses her Brudders storytime kit to create engaging classroom activities for behavior management.

As a dual-purpose book series that promotes both academic and social emotional intelligence, we are ALL about demonstrating positive behaviors and empathy here in Brudders’ woods. Print our classroom management magic resource to keep good behaviors front and center in your curriculum.

Your students are counting on you, and together, we can make their educational experience a positive one to remember. Here’s to creating classrooms of kindness!

And for now, back into the woods we go! ~Team Brudders®

Tips from the author of the Brudders children’s book series

Sometimes it can be a struggle to get your child to sit down and read a book. And then even more of a struggle to get them excited about reading. So let’s not waste time, here are my top 7 creative tips to get kids excited about reading!

1. Make it fun “adventure” time.

   The greatest thing about books is that we get to step into an adventurous world with new characters and go on a journey with them. For this reason alone, reading should not feel like an academic exercise, but instead an immersive one-of-a-kind experience for kids to enjoy!

   So when it’s time to transition your child’s attention over to books, spark their interest using the story’s theme instead of asking if they want to “read a book.” For example, with a book on friendship, say something like, “Hey Caleb, you remember what it’s like to try and make friends, right? I wonder what happens when Brudders the bear tries to make friends for the first time. I bet you could help him!”

2. Focus on the characters

From the Brudders’ Books series

Character development is key when it comes to making reading fun and interactive for kids. That is the top reason why teachers love using Brudders Books in their classroom. Kids can relate to the different emotions and behaviors each character portrays throughout the books and learn from them.

For example, kids instantly relate to our protagonist, Brudders the bear, and our main supporting character, Zeke, really becomes a hero in children’s eyes. P.S. - Have we mentioned Zeke is hiding on every page throughout the first half of each Brudders book? :) When kids realize this they have a blast hunting through all the pages in their books!

3. Incorporate two-way Q&A throughout the day

Recall how excited we adults get when we realize our friends just binge-watched the same Netflix series that we did? All we want to do is talk about it! Well-written children’s books spark two-way discussions and optimum bonding time between a child and their parent too!

Bring up different events, emotions, or characters from your books anytime a relevant opportunity presents itself. Books often have discussion questions for parents or teachers to use as learning tools. Our Brudders Bundle is equipped with fun discussion cards for each book. When kids realize how stories connect to their own lives, it excites them and they’ll be looking for the next great adventure to read.

4. Designate a reading time everyday

The way we live each day is based on our habits, if you think about it. Get kids in the habit of escaping to their reading corner (see tip #5 below) for adventure time (remember tip #1) every day. After just a short time, it will become their norm and a routine that they look forward to.

5. Create a reading corner

Another one of my faves is the reading corner. I even have one for myself! Make this space your child’s own that is uniquely special to them. Use their favorite colors, textures, stuffed animals, and blankets. You’ll want to incorporate anything that brings them warmth, safety and security, this way they’ll want to spend time in their reading corner.

6. Let them go “shopping” at the library!

Kids will feel so empowered that you are giving them the freedom to shop for their own books. How cool is that! I love watching kids browse the shelves and feel all grown up as they walk to the checkout counter with their new books. Empowerment gives kids a sense of responsibility, which oftentimes is a new and exciting feeling for them. Because they were involved in (and responsible for) the selection, you can bet they will be so excited to go home and explore their new treasures.

7. Set a good example

We adults know the saying, “If we want to get better at xyz, then we need to surround ourselves with people who are in the habit of being good at x,y,z.” Habits. They’re everything. If you’re in the habit of watching TV everyday at a certain time, then that’s what your kids will want to do. If you’re in the habit of reading a book everyday in your reading corner at a certain time, then that’s what your kids will want to do.

Let your kids see how excited you get talking about the plot or the characters to your husband (even if he stares back at you blankly without a clue as to what you’re talking about). Just set a good example by showing your kids how important reading books is in your everyday life.

These are useful tips that you can implement today to get your kids excited about reading! What are creative ways that have worked for you in getting your kids excited about reading? Please share to help our fellow moms and dads out here below!

K.A. (Kristin) Leigh is the author and co-creator of the Brudders® children’s book series. Seeing the isolating effects that social media, virtual reality, and the Covid aftermath has had on children’s social emotional health, Kristin has made it her life purpose to immerse kids back into physical books that draw upon the beauty of nature that surrounds us. Her writing fosters positive behaviors, self awareness and empathy, and the importance of communication and relationships with one another so that kids can thrive in the classroom, on the playground, and beyond.

Hey Mama and Papa bears. Want to read aloud more books with your kids but don't know where to start?⁠⠀We here at Brudders® Books have nine helpful tips for you!

When reading a book with your children, you can:⁠⠀
⁠⠀
♥️ Let them hold the book and turn the pages.⁠⠀
♥️ Talk about different parts of the book such as the front, back, title page, first page, and last page.⁠⠀
♥️ Take your time reading. Do not rush.⁠⠀
♥️ Point to the words as you read. Help them to see that there are spaces between words, that you read from the top of the page to the bottom, and that you read from left to right.⁠⠀
♥️ Ask them to think about the story as you read it.⁠⠀
♥️ Point to the pictures and talk about them.⁠⠀
♥️ Read expressively: talk the way the story's characters would talk; make sound effects and funny faces; and vary the pitch of your voice throughout the story to make it more interesting.⁠⠀
♥️ Encourage them to ask questions about the story's characters and events.⁠⠀
♥️ Talk about the story and relate it to their personal experiences.⁠⠀
Adapted from: Beginning Reading Instruction: Practical Ideas for Parents. (1996). Texas Education Agency.⁠⁠⠀

DID YOU KNOW?

”Brudders Learns How to Make Friends” was specifically developed for all sensory types of little learners. For auditory learners, the book is written to introduce age-appropriate vocabulary and has been proven to significantly increase retention via its rhyme. But additionally, for visual learners, the intricate and enchanting watercolor illustrations have been proven to portray the entire story on a standalone basis for children who aren’t quite ready to concentrate on the words just yet.

If you don’t yet have the book, you’ve got to check it out. Come join us in the woods today and buckle up for Brudders’ big adventure in learning what it takes to make new friends!

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Back-to-School is officially here! And one topic that is always on children’s minds is how to make new friends.

First grade teacher from Florida, Ms. Condie, came across Brudders last school year and has used the book in her classroom ever since. “I love using Brudders in my classroom! The book has become an invaluable piece of curriculum for my first grade students. It’s a great tool to share at the start of a school year or when welcoming a new student to the class.”

Ms. Condie further explains why she loves using Brudders in the classroom, “This book teaches the importance of individuality and respect for others. Brudders emphasizes the values of a good citizen and friend.

“My students also love the activities and coloring pages that are provided by the Brudders team. The activities focus on story themes, reading comprehension, and language FUNdamentals. The activities add a bit of fun while learning. A student even asked if the class could do the Brudders NASA coloring page on the day of a rocket launch! I can’t wait to welcome my next class this year and introduce them to Brudders and all this little bear has to offer!”

-Ms. Condie, 1st Grade Teacher, St. Cecilia Interparochial

Now you can bring Brudders into to your favorite classrooms!