🎓 Skills Your Child Will Develop
- 🌈 Imagination & Creativity — Entering a book's world — imagining the setting, characters, and events — exercises creative and narrative thinking that enriches pretend play, story creation, and the ability to generate original ideas.
- 🌍 World Knowledge & Background Knowledge — Nonfiction and information-rich picture books build background knowledge that accelerates reading comprehension — children who know more about the world understand more of what they read across every subject area.
- 🎵 Phonological Awareness — Books with rhyme, rhythm, alliteration, and wordplay directly develop phonological awareness — the ability to hear and manipulate sounds in language — which is the strongest single predictor of reading success at school entry.
- 🎭 Dramatic Expression — Hearing books read aloud with expression — character voices, varied pacing, dramatic pauses — models the prosody and emotional range of language that children internalize and bring to their own reading and speaking.
The Cheese By Margie Palatini
Illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher
From the Preschool Book The Cheese
“The rat grumbled. ‘Oh, if you must know, I’m going to get the cheese.’
‘The cheese?’ said the cat. ‘You can’t do that. Everyone knows the cheese stands alone.’
‘Give me one good reason why the cheese stands alone.’
The cat thought. ‘Well…ummm…It’s the song,’ she said. “The cheese stands alone,” and that’s that.’
‘Well, I think it’s a silly song,’ said the rat, taking back his napkin. ‘And I’m going to eat that cheese.’”
About The Cheese
Margie Palatini’s
The Cheese is a humorous take on “The Farmer in the Dell” nursery rhyme. One by one, the rat, the cat, the dog, the child, the wife, and finally the farmer challenge the silly rule that requires the cheese to stand alone. This picture book is listed as appropriate for ages 4-8, however, younger preschoolers will enjoy the story as well.
From the Reviewer – Charlene Haukom
“The cheese stands alone” is a phrase I’ve been using for as long as I can remember. Whenever I wanted a bit of privacy, I’d simply say, “No, no…the cheese stands alone on this one.” My friends would always ask, “Why
does the cheese stand alone, anyway?” I never had an answer. Luckily, the characters in Margie Palatini’s
The Cheese are more resourceful and come up with just the right solution for that lonely cheese.
About The Cheese’s Text
Though
The Cheese isn’t written in verse, the subtle internal rhymes and witty text sweep you through the story. Each character has a distinctive voice, so parents, grandparents, and teachers can have fun reading this preschool book aloud.
The Cheese’s Detailed Illustrations
Every page of
The Cheese explodes with color. Preschoolers love the hidden details, like words and music notes tucked away in the grass, and will occupy themselves for long periods of time searching for hidden items. As a longer story, the hidden details go a long way in holding younger preschoolers interest as you read the text.
About the Tone of The Cheese
Although
The Cheese is witty and fun, it contains a useful message: If someone tells you to do something silly, don’t be afraid to question it. While a preschooler’s endless series of “why’s” can be maddening, sometimes it’s a very good question!
The Cheese’s Educational Opportunity
The Cheese is a great role-playing tool. Embrace the characters and have fun playing the hyper dog and sneaky rat, and encourage your preschoolers to role-play, too! As preschoolers switch from character to character, they’ll learn the behavioral traits included in the book.
Book Details
Title:
The Cheese Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (April 24, )
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0060526300
ISBN-13: 978-0060526306
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Start with books about the child's existing interests — if they love trucks, find every truck book in the library. Read with physical engagement: let them turn pages, point to objects, make sound effects. Short books work better than long ones for reluctant readers. Reading in highly comfortable, cozy circumstances (snuggled together, with a special reading snack) creates positive association with books. Never force prolonged reading against clear resistance — a 2-minute positive experience beats a 10-minute battle. Most children become enthusiastic book-lovers given sustained positive exposure over months.
Absolutely — repeated reading of favorite books is both normal and highly beneficial. With each reading, children understand more: they catch details they missed, connect the story to new experiences, and increasingly delight in predicting what happens next. The request to re-read is a sign of deep engagement, not a cognitive limitation. Never replace a requested re-read with a book you've chosen — follow the child's reading lead. Boredom with a book you've read 30 times doesn't mean the child is bored.
