Look Up, Look Down

I know that children's books without words have many benefits and definitely have a place in literacy education, however, I have never personally liked them very much...

until...

Macy and I went to the library the other day.  We have been really busy lately, so I was in a pretty big hurry and just let her pick whatever 10 books she wanted.  Normally, we meander around, take our time, and I look through the books first to make for sure they will serve some sort of purpose for us or at least be somewhat enjoyable.  Well, I didn't this time...pick 10 books and try to hurry, sweetie.  Mommy needs to get going.

Anyway, she picked this book called Look Up, Look Down with no words at all and photographs taken by Tana Hoban.  

We had the best time with this book!!!

I would have never thought of presenting an idea like this to my daughter.  Tana Hoban took pictures of random things such as a hot air balloon and a crate full of bottles.  The pictures were either taken with the camera looking up at the object or looking down at the object.  It is just one of those things that you typically wouldn't think of to teach your children unless maybe you are a photographer or an art teacher.

To my surprise, it was a tough concept for Macy, but she loved it!  I have to say that I enjoyed it just as much as she did.  As her mother, I have never witnessed her struggle in learning, so I had never gotten the opportunity to see her try so hard to understand something and then watch the little light bulb turn on in her head.  It was amazing and, oh, so much fun!  

We looked the book through 3 or 4 times, and then she was off to take her own 

look up and look down pictures.