If you’re a parent, chances are you’re gonna end up being required lucky enough to go read to your child’s class at some point during the preschool or elementary years. The first time I was “lunch mom,” which is what they call it at my 8yo’s school (too close to Lunch Lady for my taste), I did a pretty good job. I’m a writer and therefore I also know how to read a book the way it should be read.
Funny story – my husband was lunch dad at one point this year and he told me the kids ran around like wild things as he read. I’m not sure why – I think his book choices were fab. He picked some books a little more on the serious side but with awesome lessons about important people in history. Like Jackie Robinson and Albert Einstein and Rosa Parks. My kids got these books from their Uncle Michael for Christmas this year and LOVE them. It says a lot that someone could make little kids interested in that hefty subject matter. So check those out if you want to impart some knowledge in a child-friendly way. But if you want to slay them with laughter, read on.
This year when it was my turn to be lunch mom, I didn’t just want to do a good job. I wanted to slay them. I wanted to be lunch mom of the year. (I can be a wee bit competitive) I didn’t just want them giggling. I wanted them eating out of my hand. I wanted them curled up on the carpet clutching their tummies and rolling from side to side with laughter. I wanted to slay them.
And, not to brag or anything, but according to the mom of at least one little boy in Asher’s class, I achieved my goal.
You can do it too. Here are the 3 books that will make you the reading mom that SLAYS.
Start with The Day The Crayons Quit – This is an ingenious little book about some anthropomorphic crayons that are pissed for various reasons and “quit” coloring for Duncan, the little boy in the book. It’s very creative, easy to relate to and when you get to the part of about the “naked” peach crayon, the whole room will be filled with laughter. Be sure to whisper the part about him being naked and then really make the most out of the word “underwear” that follows. You know underwear is always going to slay with the kids.
Move on to The Day The Crayons Came Home – This is the follow-up to The Day The Crayons Quit and my boys love it as much as the first one. There is so much fun in this book. A crayon that gets eaten and then thrown up by a dog. A crayon that gets sat on by the dad. And the peach crayon shows up again in some enormous underpants.
Your grand finale is The Book With No Pictures – At first, I hesitated on this one because my son goes to an Episcopal School and I was a little nervous they wouldn’t be happy about me reading semi-naughty words to the 2nd grade class. But then I decided the best thing to do (a secret I learned from my MIL) is to just do want you want and then apologize for it later. I’m not wording that right but that’s the gist of it. My kids adore this book – and I knew their reactions would be predictive of the class.
Honestly the only questionable word in the book is “butt” and you can just as easily change it to “bunny” or some other b word just to keep the alliteration and the kids won’t even know. Just don’t turn that page around for 2nd graders to see. Because they can READ and you’ll be cold-busted.
There will be that kind of laughter that is one of the most joyous sounds you’ve ever heard, there will be shouting, there will be cheering. You will win, as class reading mom AND as just plain old stupendous mom. Whatever. Even if you don’t read to your kid’s class, you’ll want all three of these books for your own kid(s). Trust me. It’s not always possible to be FUN MOM but with these books, that trophy is all yours.
Now – just one more little trick that will seal the deal. The only way I could teach it to you was to make a video so have a watch and learn this killer story you tell with only a piece of paper. If you think the kids are gaga over the books, wait until you see them with this trick. They were begging me just to have the … well, I think it’s best if you just watch.
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My kids love the crayon books! Super recommendations!