Books & Language Archives - We live in a flat

Our toddler has an obsession with cars, particularly construction vehicles. So books about how buildings are built became a logical extension of the theme when it comes to reading. Here are 6 books he enjoyed time and time again. At age 1+/2 we were more looking at and talking about the pictures when younger. He is still enjoying them at 3+ and likely will continue to do so for quite a while yet. There’s 4 for English readers and 4 for Chinese readers. English and Chinese book names are bolded in the bulleted list below.

Super Structures by Chris Baker
Up! Up! Up! Skyscraper 《摩天大楼，起！起！起！》 by Anastasia Suen
How is the MRT System built? by LTA Singapore
Construction 《哐当哐当，去盖楼》 by Sally Sutton
《快来！一起盖房子》(Let’s build a house together ) by Takeshita, Fumiko
《电梯来了》(Here comes the lift) by Kowase, Moriyasu

The Final Thoughts section at the end of this post reviews the books based on Montessori concepts when selecting books for young children.

3 Bilingual Songs about Scarves in English and Chinese

By weliveinaflat

On June 4, 2022

In Books & Language

Little P was 16 months. We had some play scarves that Little P wasn’t all that into for a while now.

Then I happened on someone who suggested using scarves for music activities on Facebook. She was even kind enough to send me a video how it looked like when done with kids! Unfortunately, that video is no longer available but I found something similar.

Exploring the concept of Direction with – “Scarves Up and Down and Around”

Video by Joy Girard. View on youtube.

I knew immediately this was something I wanted to do with Little P.

4 Chinese Picture Books About Visiting the Dentist - NLB books review header

4 Dentist Books in Chinese – NLB books review

By weliveinaflat

On March 12, 2022

In Imaginative Chinese Books, Library books (NLB) reviewed, Montessori-aligned Chinese books

Library Books Review #2 – Dentist books in Chinese

I find it hard to navigate our public library, especially when I’m looking for Montessori-aligned toddler books, in this case Dentist books in Chinese. So I am trying to keep track of the library books I borrowed that I recommend here on this blog. Hope it will be useful for your reference as well. For context, my toddler is around 3 years old. The posts will cover a mix of English and Mandarin books.

I included links to Amazon so you can buy at your convenience the English and Chinese versions of the books (where available). I get a tiny commission when you click through the links and make a purchase. It doesn’t increase your cost on Amazon but it does help you give me a tiny “tip” so to speak, which eventually accumulates enough to treat me to a coffee or two. :P

Now, let’s get started!

6 Montessori-aligned toddler library books: Aug 2021

By weliveinaflat

On September 25, 2021

In Library books (NLB) reviewed

Library Books Review #1

I find it hard to navigate our public library, especially when I’m looking for Montessori-aligned toddler books in Mandarin. So moving forward, Í will keep track of the Montessori-aligned books I borrowed that I recommend here on this blog. Hope it will be useful for your reference as well. For context, my toddler is around 2.5 years old. The posts will cover a mix of English and Mandarin books.

I included links to Amazon so you can buy at your convenience the English and Chinese versions of the books (where available). I get a tiny commission when you click through the links and make a purchase. It doesn’t increase your cost on Amazon but it does help you give me a tiny “tip” so to speak, which eventually accumulates enough to treat me to a coffee or two. :P

Now, let’s get started!

6 Montessori-aligned toddler library books reviewed banner

1. 高高兴兴说再见 (Bye-Bye Time)

高高兴兴说再见 book cover. This book is translated from Bye-Bye Time by Elizabeth Verdick — **高高兴兴说再见** translated from **Bye-Bye Time** by Elizabeth Verdick

Leopard in Mumbai – Picture book review

By weliveinaflat

On September 24, 2021

In 3 - 6 years, 31 months -, Care of the environment, Montessori-aligned English books

What if a leopard escaped from a national park and headed into the city? Leopard in Mumbai seems to be a book written to answer this.

Leopard in Mumbai picture book cover. Written by Lubaina Bandukwala and illustrated by Allen Shaw. — Leopard in Mumbai. Written by Lubaina Bandukwala and illustrated by Allen Shaw.

小饼干的大道理 (Cookies: Bite-sized Life Lessons) – Book review

By weliveinaflat

On September 24, 2021

In 3 - 6 years, Imaginative Chinese Books, Imaginative English Books

小饼干的大道理 (Cookies: Bite-sized Life Lessons) seems to be that book that tries to help children understand abstract concepts through baking cookies.

Most of it might fly over the head of young toddlers like 2.5 year old Little P but we still like cookies anyway. Hah!

小饼干的大道理 is originally written in English by American author Amy Krouse Rosenthal. The book is titled Cookies: Bite-sized Life Lessons. — **小饼干的大道理** is originally written in English by American author Amy Krouse Rosenthal. The book is titled **Cookies: Bite-sized Life Lessons**.

Note: There are human-like animals in this book. Looking for realistic Montessori-aligned books instead? Escape here!
If not, read on. ;)

The following photos will help you understand the style of the book – 小饼干的大道理 (Cookies: Bite-sized Life Lessons) – as it follows the same format throughout.

牙齿一家和牙刷超人 – Chinese picture book review

By weliveinaflat

On September 24, 2021

In 3 - 6 years, Imaginative Chinese Books

A fantastical tale of bad influences and how a superhero saves the day with kicks and punches – and yes, 牙齿一家和牙刷超人 is about brushing teeth.

Looking for realistic Montessori-aligned books instead? Escape here!
If not, read on.

牙齿一家和牙刷超人 (Teeth Family and Toothbrush-Man) is written originally in Japanese by Omori Hiroko.

Right from the start Omori Hiroko’s picture book paints a trippy picture of teeth that actually moves at will in your mouth. Having fun. Just like little children.

simple mid-autumn festival song for toddlers

月儿圆圆 – A Simple Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival Song for Toddlers

By weliveinaflat

On September 20, 2021

In 3 - 6 years, 31 months -, Books & Language, Montessori-aligned printables

Lately, Little P has been making up his own nonsense chinese lyrics to go with tunes that he knows. In this post, I would like to share with you – 月儿圆圆 – a simple Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival Song for those of you whose toddlers love singing!

When it comes to helping my little one be comfortable and confident in speaking his mother tongue, the three main things I find helpful for me are:

Modeling speaking the Chinese language by itself (i.e. no mixing with English/Singlish) 95% of the time
Singing songs to him in Chinese
Reading lots of Chinese books with him.

Therefore, besides a song relevant to the occasion, in the later part of the post I will also detail some of the books we are reading this Mid-Autumn Festival week!

Let’s get started!

Why did the pangolin cross the road? Singapore toddler book

A Book about Pangolins in Singapore in Chinese & English

By weliveinaflat

On August 29, 2021

In Books & Language, Care of the environment, Montessori-aligned Chinese books, Montessori-aligned English books

On our last visit to the Singapore Zoo, we picked up this book about native pangolins in Singapore. August is the month we celebrate National Day so it seems appropriate to revisit one of our native animals this month.