Check Out My Newest Guest Post From Author Kat Chen PLUS Learn About Her New Book ‘Play Outside With Me’ & Enter A Giveaway Too! #PlayOutsideWithMeBook

This post is sponsored by Kat Chen. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.

CLASSROOM READING NEAR DISASTER by Kat Chen 

I’m well-skilled in reading books to one child at a time. I know how to ask questions, to make them giggle, and how to quiet them down before that kiss good night. My Play With Me series is designed to help adults engage with their child on the page. How do you pop bubbles? What can you draw with chalk? What’s your favorite playground game? It’s perfect one-on-one, and I’ve never met a kid who didn’t interact with me and the book. 

So it should be a breeze to read it to a classroom of kids, right? Right? 

Wrong. I wanted engagement and, boy, did I get it! 

I sat in a tiny chair at the top of the nursery schoolroom. It was me, my books, and ten bright little kids who all wanted to answer my questions. There was even an argument over who got to pick which answer. As if there wasn’t pretend chalk for everyone! 

Fortunately, the teacher was there to show me the way. Each child was called on, one by one, to answer the questions as the book progressed. And when the chalk drawing fight began, she gently suggested that they both could have the pretend pink color. Who knew that pretend pink chalk was in such demand? Fairly soon, I was able to pick up the flow. No, no, it’s Charles’ turn next. That’s a great idea Lucy. You love the jungle gym best. And look, Valerie agrees.  

I thought the preschoolers would dislike sharing the very thing that they’d been fighting over two seconds before, but they quickly picked up the flow. Everyone wanted to play pretend tag. Then we showed hands on who would draw chalk rainbows and who would draw the airplane.  

Chaos controlled! And I got a lesson in how difficult it is to manage a group of preschoolers. I was fortunate that story time came at the same time as snack, otherwise the kids would have been running around too. As it was, many wanted to jump up and run to the book. But most of them just wanted to point with their apple slices. 

All in all, it was a fantastic event. My books were a big hit, and I watched a master at controlling preschoolers. But better than that, I saw the principles of my book acted out in real life. Everything I’d hoped the book would do, actually happened without any prompting from me! In truth, it was almost too successful because I struggled to control the chaos that ensued.  

*The kids practiced taking turns. 

*They answered questions about their likes and dislikes. 

*They cooperated in choosing a pretend game. 

*They voted on choices.  

*Every voice was heard. 

The stakes were low, of course, because it was all pretend. We didn’t actually go out and draw with chalk. We also didn’t play tag or climb on a jungle gym. But everyone got to voice their opinion, and everyone felt heard. 

How’s that for a success? Better yet, the teacher wanted to buy a copy of each book to use again. I was happy dancing on the way out.   

Kat Chen is a kid at heart. Her debut board book, PLAY WITH ME, was an instant success garnering several awards including the prestigious Literary Titan Award. A USA Today and Amazon bestseller of books for grownups, she recently became a grateful, gleeful grandmother giving her an instant audience to test her kid lit. “Nothing sparks my imagination as much as playing with a one-year-old. Especially since I don’t have to worry about diapers, nutrition, or sleep schedules. I get to do the fun stuff.” By that, she means conversation, crayons, and crawling all over the playroom. Then she’s the one who needs a nap whether or not the toddler does. Find out more at www.Kat-Chen.com. 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Play Outside with Me

Written by Kat Chen

Illustrated by Lorraine Nam

Ages 1-3 | 24 Pages

Publisher: Rise x Penguin Workshop | ISBN-13: 978-0593659731

Publisher’s Book Summary: This board book series invites young readers to take part in a playdate activity of their choice, thereby empowering them with autonomy and validation. In this second book, the outdoor playdate models balanced and shared play, creating a positive reference for what caring and considered friendship looks like. Many toddlers and preschoolers consistently ask for someone to play with them, and this book provides just that for the quieter moments of the day. Simple language and gentle questions will help children develop their social skills by practicing conversations, all while engaging them in fun and familiar topics.

PURCHASE LINK

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ Bookshop.org

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kat Chen is the author of several bestselling contemporary and historical romance books. She also serves on the advisory board for Books for Newborns.

After becoming a grandmother and spending most of her free time helping with “the fun stuff”—conversations, crayons, and crawling—she was inspired to delve into children’s books and help kids master the art of simple conversation through shared play.

Learn more about Kat and her work at kat-chen.com.

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ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Lorraine Nam is an illustrator based in Brooklyn, New York. She was born in Philadelphia and spent her childhood drawing pictures and folding origami to pass the time at her parents’ jewelry store. She now spends her days combining those two loves to create her illustrations.

She is the illustrator of the picture book biography on Neil deGrasse Tyson, Look Up With Me, and the upcoming Wei Skates On, by Olympic Gold Medalist Nathan Chen.

Learn more about Lorraine and her work at www.lorrainename.com.

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NOW TO THE GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win an exciting prize pack, including a signed copy of Play Outside with Me and a $25 Amazon gift card.

Play Outside with Me: Book Giveaway

Deliciously savvy is not responsible for the prize fulfillment. Kat Chen will be providing the prizes to the winners.