Books and Activities:
by Jez Alborough
Activity: Have children bring their teddy bears for a special picnic.
Compare, sort, and contrast the bears by size, shape, color, and clothes.
Jacob and the Magic Polar Bears PK-2
By Janet Graber
Activity: This is a great pajama day story! Have children bring a special bedtime buddy.
Two by Two PK-2
By Lisa Lowe Stauffer
Activity: Children can create music and march through the classroom in pairs. Study animal habitats and draw a diagram of Noah's Ark. Plan a trip to the zoo and make a list of animals to find then compare the zoo animals to the silly animals in Two by Two. After discussing similarities and differences, select an animal to draw.
Gregory, the Terrible Eater K
By Mitchell Sharmat
Hopalong Jack and the Blue Bunnies K-1
By Jeri Landers
Snack: Blueberry muffins. Activity: Wad up a sheet of blue paper. Children sit in a circle and pass the “blueberry” while counting to 100. Bring various musical instruments and have a musical bunny parade.
By Diane Z. Shore
The Paper Bag Princess K-2
By Robert Munsch
Mr. Putter and Tabby chapter book series K-3
By Cynthia Rylant
By Michael Garland
Activity: Teach children about surreal art (art from objects that wouldn’t normally be seen together) as illustrated in the book which describes artists Salvador Dali and Renee Magritte. Take in small paper plates, napkins, toothpicks and an odd assortment of treats (ex: marshmallows, fish crackers, pretzels, licorice, squirt cheese) Have children create surreal art with their treats.
By Caralyn Buehner
Activity: Take in apples pre-cut width-wise to make stars in the center. Tell the children that they are each a special star, just like Superdog. Place a spoon of peanut butter on small plates. Make a graph on the chalk board showing how many children like apples with peanut butter and how many do not.
Dylan: The Eagle Hearted Chicken K-3
By David L. Harrison
Activity: Teachers, have children work in groups or as a class to write and illustrate their own superhero books about brave things they can do.
By Judi Barrett
By Anne Tyler
Snack: Take in peanut butter and jelly triangle sandwiches and orange wedges. Teachers, have students draw a map of their rooms. Use this book to introduce your weekly Star Student program. Use as a fictional story starter for children writing about how they have helped their families from disaster.
By Mary Jane and Herm Auch
By Laurie Keller
By Laurie Keller
Johnny Appleseed My Story 1-2
By David L. Harrison
By John Collier
Activity: Teachers, use this book to introduce history and encourage respect for our earth. A great Earth Day book!
Traction Man is Here! 1-3
Traction Man Meets Turbo Dog
By Mini Grey
George Washington and the General’s Dog 1-3
By Frank Murphy
How to Dig a Hole to the Other Side of the World 1-3
By Faith McNulty
Activity: Bring in different rocks, sands, gravels and build layers of earth in a clear glass vase as you read the book.
Art Dog 1-4
By Thacher Hurd
Activity: This book has wonderful opportunities for children to practice their prediction skills through discussion, drawing or writing. At one of several turning points in the book, stop and have students make their predictions. Art Dog also provides a wonderful introduction to classical artists and their work. Have books or print outs of the real artwork for students to compare and find throughout the book.
Hamlet and the Enormous Chinese Dragon Kite 1-4
Hamlet and the Magnificent Sandcastle 1-4
By Brian Lies
Activity: Teachers, the Hamlet books are a great way to encourage discussions about friendship and conflict resolution with your students.
By Paul Fleischman
Activities: Teachers, after reading this book, have students write directions to a game they've invented, write out their plans for the summer, or write what they did on vacation. As a social studies connection, have students plan a town (including specifics elements such as roads, a fire station, school, neighborhoods, library, grocery store, etc.) Parents, using poles from a hardware or garden store, create a teepee and grow ivy to cover the poles for a shady summer hideout!
Escape North! The Story of Harriet Tubman 3-5
By Monica Kulling
Activity: Teachers, use for map study and introduction of the Underground Railroad.
Miss Alaineus: A Vocabulary Disaster 3-5
By Debra Frasier
Activity: Teachers, plan a spelling bee using the vocabulary words in the book. Have students draw a picture of their own vocabulary parade costumes. Then hang these pictures for a classroom parade around the room.