Book builder

Use a theme, such as “on the farm,” to build sentences with your child. Follow these instructions to turn your child's sentences into an illustrated book:

1. Begin with a simple sentence that includes a noun and a verb: Ducks quack.
2. Ask your child to add an adjective: Five ducks quack.
3. Add an article: The five ducks quack.
4. Ask your child to add an adverb: The five ducks quack loudly.
5. Repeat the procedure for all the animals on the farm.
6. Use colored construction paper to make a book called On the Farm.
7. Have your child draw a picture based on each expanded sentence, then help your child rewrite each sentence as a caption for the corresponding pictures.
8. Ask your child to draw a book cover.
9. Finally, line up the book pages, punch holes in them and use colored yarn or ribbon to bind the book together.