This isn't a curriculum. Neither is it an aggressive, academic training regimen designed to turn your preschooler into a scholastic superachiever. It is a rich treasury of creative ideas designed to help you gently, consistently prepare your children for the life-long adventure of learning. For children ages two to four, Before Five in a Row is better than a curriculum!

The book is divided into two parts. The first section contains hundreds of simple ideas and activities developed around 24 of the finest books ever written for young children (see the list below). These activities are designed to cultivate intimacy with your child while building vital learning-readiness skills.

Part two of Before Five in a Row is a rich resource, filled with specific ideas designed to help you prepare children for learning through simple everyday activities. You'll find ideas for bathtime, bedtime, in the kitchen, and at the grocery store. You will also be given information and inspiration to help you maximize these precious years and prepare your children for real learning!

Booklist:

• Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear?, by N. W. Carlstrom
• Yellow Ball, by Molly Bang
• My Blue Boat, by Chris L. Demarest
• The Little Rabbit, by Judy Dunn
• Ask Mr. Bear, by Marjorie Flack
• Blueberries for Sal, by Robert McCloskey
• Goodnight Moon, by Margaret Wise Brown
• The Big Green Pocketbook, by Candice Ransom
• The Runaway Bunny, by Margaret Wise Brown
• The ABC Bunny, by Wanda Gag
• If Jesus Came to My House, by Joan Gale Thomas
• Caps for Sale, by Esphyr Slobodkina
• The Carrot Seed, by Ruth Krauss
• The Snowy Day, by Ezra Jack Keats
• The Quiet Way Home, by Bonny Becker
• Play With Me, by Marie Hall Ets
• Prayer for a Child, by Rachel Field
• I Am an Artist, by Pat L. Collins
• Angus Lost, by Marjorie Flack
• Katy No-Pocket, by Emmy Payne
• We're Going On a Bear Hunt, by Michael Rosen
• The Red Carpet, by Rex Parkin (out of print: ISBN 0440840597)
• Corduroy, by Don Freeman
• Jenny's Surprise Summer, by Eugenie (out of print: ISBN 0307020479)