Peak with Books: An Early Childhood Resource for Balanced Literacy

I strongly disagree with the negative customer review that claims Peak With Books is not balanced literacy. What better way to balance literacy instruction than to explicitly teach phonemic awareness, graphic awareness, concepts of print, creative dramatics, story structure, and higher level thinking skills, all within the context of beloved children's stories? I find this approach in Peak With Books to be refreshing and delightful. Children learn best when they are emotionally engaged in relevant and endearing children's stories, as well as poems with rhythmic gems for active learning. This is balanced literacy at its best, a goldmine for any teacher!

We are a Waldorf family so we do not really do anything academic in the preschool years. I purchased this because our 3 yr old really wants to be part of our main lesson time. I have been choosing books from Peak with Books that coordinate with what the older boys are studying and using the poems, finger plays, and art activities with the little guy. This is working well and overall I think it is a great resource.

This book is a great resource for language arts Pre K to Grade 1. The authors have selected 40 titles in children's literature many of them Caldecott winners/nominees to be read aloud which incorporate activities such as poetry, songs, fingerplays, art, thinking skills, narration, vocabulary, drama, and cooking. There are also 500 storybooks referenced so you can expand on a particular story if you would like to. Dr. Ruth Beechick noted educational authority has commented on "Peak with Books": "I think this book is topnotch. Any parent who used these lesson plans for awhile would be getting a good education in using books with children and building upon them to expand vocabulary, experiences and thoughts. For people who want to do the "living books" thing that Susan Macaulay has popularized, here is the kindergarten program all worked out for them." This edition is the 3rd and has been rewritten to accomidate children from ages Pre-K to Grade 1. This volume is a great companion to Dr. Ruth Beechick's "Language and Thinking for Young Children."

Peak with Books provides wonderful guidance for introducing young children to literature. We have especially enjoyed the inclusion of songs, poems, and art. The book selections include timeless classics and new favorites. The step-by-step instructions are a great help to the new teacher or homeschooler. Highly recommended by Ruth Beechick and others, this well-rounded program is a great place to start with your preschool and kindergarten aged children!