Teachers that have attended my conference sessions and workshops have heard me speak about the importance of a play-based approach to early literacy. This includes all sorts of experiences with language, words and letters. One of the experiences I discuss a great deal is making books with young children.

I have helped young children create books based on the song "May There Always Be Sunshine" for many years. After the first four lines of the song, children share their own ideas for what they would like there to always be. I write down their words, the children add illustrations and then we staple the pages together. Anyone who has ever done this with young children knows that they can soon "read" every page in a book of their own creation. Best of all, creation becomes a habit....and so does the reading!

A number of teachers have sent me copies of books they have created with children based on this Russian folk song. Thanks!

I decided to make a beautiful hardcover book based on the song in the hopes that even more folks might begin to create books. The book can be used as a model or a motivator for the children.

I can also promise you that with a young one on your lap, the book is a joy, all by itself, to read and sing along with.

The book is a gorgeous celebration of thoughts and ideas. It's a great morning, afternoon, and bed time book. May there always be reading!