Sometimes, my children get obsessed with a particular book.

The photo of the guinea worm will stay with me until I’m old and gray, folks!

Who am I kidding? My children are almost always obsessed with a certain book.

Dinosaurumpus 

The Famous Byron Barton Binge

Body Baddies

Finn Throws a Fit

1001 Bugs to Spot

Edwina, The Dinosaur Who Didn’t Know She Was Extinct

These obsessions start off endearing and grow tiresome in short time.

Some nights, at bedtime, you already know the book they will pick.

You don’t even need the book anymore.

You know the entire thing by heart.

But here’s the thing: Children learn through repetition.

Every time you turn that well-worn page, they are gaining something. Try to remember that, even if you want to groan as soon as the book appears. Even when it is so bad that you fantasize about hiding it as soon as they fall asleep.

I think we can all agree that reading the same thing multiple times a day can get a little boring.

But, if your child is reading and re-reading the same book, that child is telling you something. If you want to capitalize on delight-driven learning, these re-reads are your ticket!

A few years ago, I came up with a boredom busting strategy. While I am on automatic pilot, reading the book for the nine gazillionth time, I let my mind wander. I ask myself some questions including:

• What is it about this book that the child(ren) love?
• What is the child’s favorite part?
• Who is the child’s favorite character?
• What part makes the child feel something? 
• What questions are they asking? What questions do they ask over and over?

And then this one: Is there an activity that we could do together that would make this book even better?

By asking myself these types of questions, I not only cure my boredom but I come up with opportunities for learning, including:

• Arts and crafts based on the book
• A related game
• A lesson
• Something amazing I find through a Pinterest search

These activities do not have to be over-the-top, folks. They just need to be fun. This is exactly how our {Virtual} Family Book Club got started. I wanted to share a love of good books and learning.

Because I truly believe that the book is just the beginning.

The Book is Just the Beginning

I’m going to give you an example of what this looks like our homeschool.

Lately, my youngest son has been interested in math, particularly shapes. One afternoon, while at our beloved library, he discovered the book Tickle Monster by Edouard Manceau.

Tickle Monster is an adorable and interactive book about a scary-looking monster. Each page prompts the reader to tickle a part of the monster, at which point that part of the monster transforms into something else. For example, the first prompt is to tickle the monster’s horns and they turn into the moon.

At the end of the book, the reader has conquered the scary monster. By tickling various parts of the monster, its shapes transform into an entirely different image. This is actually a wonderful book to use as a talking point about childhood fears and the ability to exert control over your worries. It would be the perfect addition to your child’s worry basket…

… but it also shows how various shapes can transform and change. And that is what my little guy was so fascinated by. He is constantly using our magnatiles to create shapes and then fold them and flip them to create different shapes. This is mesmerizing to him right now. It is his current passion.

I know this is his current passion because of the conversations we have together.

And by watching him play. He gravitates towards activities that incorporate shapes, including these favorites:

• Magnatiles
• Mindware Imaginets
• Stencils
• Melissa and Doug Pattern Blocks and Boards

I find that when I pause all the things and focus on what my kids are reading, and playing, and talking about… that’s where the homeschool magic happens. 

Each time I read Tickle Monster to my children – at my youngest’s request- I could see their collective fascination with the how the parts of Tickle Monster could change into an entirely different whole.

And, really, should I be surprised? I live with two puzzle-obsessed little boys.

And that’s when it occurred to me that Tickle Monster could very easily be a puzzle.

In that moment, I had a plan for the next time they approached me with the book that I now knew by heart.

How to Make Your Own Tickle Monster:

Materials:

• Pencil
• Construction Paper
• Scissors
• Ziplock baggie

Instructions:

1. First, you need to do what we called Tickle Monster Doodles. Simply draw a picture of the Tickle Monster on white paper so that you have a rough idea of sizes and shapes. Talk about the various shapes that you are going to need in order to make your own Tickle Monster.
2. Next, it is time for what we called Tickle Monster Math. How many of each shape will you need? The answer will depend on how many children you have. Let the children figure this one out- this is a perfect example of fun math!
3. It is time to cut out your shapes! If it helps, draw them first with pencil. This is great fine motor practice for those little hands and fingers!
4. Once you have all the of the pieces, it is time for fun. By now, you all  have the story memorized and I’m sure you’re anxious to start but feel free to re-read the story one more time if you’d like. Remember: Kids learn through repetition!
5. Then it is time to assemble your tickle monster and tickle him into something else! Just like a puzzle!

   He LOVED this, folks!

   First a Tickle Monster…

   … and then something not so scary!

6. Repeat, repeat, repeat! Be sure to store all pieces in a ziplock baggie when not in use!

My children loved this activity, especially my youngest two. They were over-the-moon excited to show Daddy that night at bedtime. Guess what book they picked to read at bedtime???


Books are just the beginning…

As a homeschool mom, I’ve witnessed, time and time again, that learning happens all the time when you just relax and let it. By paying attention to my children’s conversations, book interests, and play, I can create fun opportunities to take the learning just a notch further. These activities do not have to be elaborate! Our Tickle Monster activity was not difficult to create, but it was fun! It was a great way to talk about a great book and to incorporate art, fine motor, and math skills.

Looking for more Tickle Monster ideas?

Here are just a few more ideas to expand upon the learning:

• Draw your own Tickle Monster (this Ed Emberley book can help)
• Monster Bowling
• Make Your Own Monster Puppet
• Read more great monster books!

Here is a smattering of our favorite monster books:

• There’s Something in My Attic by Mercer Mayer
• There’s a Nightmare in My Closet by Mercer Mayer
• Monsters Everywhere by Mercer Mayer
• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Are you looking for other ways to make math fun?

Be sure to check out these related posts:

• If You Read Your Kids a Math Book…

• Homeschool Math: 10 Ways to Keep it Fun!

• A Month of Math Storybooks

• 6 Amazing Math Games

• Fun Math Resources

• Our $5 Tinker Kit

• STEM Resources for the Whole Family

• 10 STEM Books for Your Homeschool [Year Round Homeschooling]

• Forts: The Original STEM Challenge

• Poolside STEM

Now, it’s your turn. Tell me: How do you survive those endless re-reads? Share here!

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