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Pre-Reading Vocabulary Strategies That Stick Reading doesn’t have to start with the first page. In fact, some of the richest language...

Why Verbs and Actions Matter in Early Language Learning When we think about vocabulary, we often start with naming objects: cat, ball,...

Why Naming Isn't Enough—and What to Do Instead Learning a new word is just the beginning. To truly understand and use vocabulary,...

Meet the Littlest Friend with the Biggest Energy She may be small, but Bitsy the Bee  makes a big impression. In Sammy’s Jungle Day ,...

Meet the Jungle's Wildest Show-Off Before Sammy could finish his yawn, Manny the Monkey was already flipping through the trees—loud,...

Studies show that children can learn twice as many new words when adults actively engage them during story time. Just 15 minutes a day with a picture book—paired with questions, repetition, and playful conversation—can spark vocabulary growth, build confidence, and inspire lifelong readers. In this post, I’m sharing 5 research-backed strategies you can use with Sammy’s Jungle Day (or any favorite book!) to make language learning joyful, meaningful, and fun.

The Bird Who Started It All Before Sammy’s Jungle Day  ever took shape, one bold little bird flew in first—Tina the Toucan. She isn’t the...

Meet Sammy the Sloth—adorable, calm, and full of quiet charm! 🌿 He loves taking in the jungle one slow swing at a time and reminds us that it’s okay to move at our own pace. From sketch to storybook star, Sammy’s journey was all about learning, growing, and embracing the magic of going slow. 🦥✨ Ready to explore the jungle with him?

A Language-Rich Jungle Adventure for Young Readers I’m beyond thrilled to share some exciting news—🎉 My debut children’s book, Sammy’s...

Welcome, explorers! I’m Dr. T—a children’s author, illustrator, and speech-language pathologist passionate about playful learning. Join me on a journey through stories, language tips, behind-the-scenes book creation, and engaging resources for families and classrooms. Let’s spark imagination and nurture young minds—one rhyme, one smile, and one adventure at a time!