Feast for 10 serves up counting, rhyming, and colorful collage illustrations. Count to 10, not once but twice, in this charming picture book about an African American family preparing food and enjoying a meal together.
Before, During and After Reading
Oral Language
Introduce the book. Read the title and the author’s name, sweeping your finger under the words as you read them. Take time to look at and read the front and back covers. Connect the story to your child’s life by talking about things like big family meals, the grocery store and preparing food.
Ask your child to turn the pages of the book for you. Sweep your finger under the words as you read them.
Phonological Awareness
Emphasize the rhyming words in the story and invite your child to repeat the rhymes with you.
Letter Knowledge
Talk about the difference between letters and numbers. Touch the number on each page and ask your child to show you the items in the illustration. For example, you might ask, Can you show me nine plump potatoes? Help your child touch and count the items. You may also ask your child to touch the specific numbers, like, Show me the number nine. Knowing the difference between letters and numbers is a print awareness skill and a building block of reading readiness.
Oral Language
Explore the illustrations with your child. They give many extra details. You and your child might talk about the kind of beans the little sister brought to the cart, the children’s helpfulness at the store and at home, and the family members gathered around the table.
Oral language
Go “shopping” as you re-read the story. Make some construction paper versions of the items in the story. Cut:
- two orange circles for pumpkin pies
- three large yellow ovals for chickens
- four circles with happy faces drawn on them
- five brown circles for beans
- six green circles for greens
- one large white rectangle with seven pickles drawn on it
- eight red circles for tomatoes
- nine brown ovals for potatoes
Write the number that corresponds to the item on each piece. For example, write a “6” on all of the green circles. Scatter the items on the floor. Your child can use a play shopping cart, basket, or bag to “go shopping” as you re-read the story. After you’ve read a page, prompt your child to find those items. Help your child with counting and collecting the items as needed.
Phonological Awareness
Read the story aloud again, this time with a different rhythm. You might even put it to a tune! Playing with the sounds of language helps to build phonological awareness.
Take the Reading BrightStart! Preschool Reading Screener. The screener can help you determine if your child is on the path to reading readiness, and provides a free plan for moving forward.
