Category: book activities

Camping Craft and Books for Kids

With warmer temperatures, kids are bound to spend more and more time outdoors. Many kids dream of going camping. Whether your camping trip is in the great outdoors, in a backyard tent, or an indoor fort, there are bound to be memories made. Not only do I have a fun camping craft to share, but I also have some great camping books for kids that you can pair with it!

A World Without Failures: Growth Mindset

I think we can all agree that nobody is perfect and mistakes are bound to happen - it's just a part of life. Can you even imagine what the world would be like if mistakes never happened? Esther Pia Cordova has done just that in her latest book, A World Without Failures: Growth Mindset. This book has a great message for kids about why failure is not always a bad thing!

Last Day Blues Freebies

The end of the school year is quickly approaching. One of my favorite stories to share is Last Day Blues by Julie Danneberg. In this story, the children come up with a plan to make sure their teacher won't be sad and miss them over the summer. But Mrs. Hartwell and the other teachers have some plans of their own. I have a couple of freebies you can use with this story.

Seraphina Does Everything by Melissa Gratias

In today's world, kids have a variety of activities to choose from, and many of them want to do it all. Some kids even feel pressured to participate in a variety of activities from sports to dance to social clubs. But we need to be aware of when these activities begin to become a burden and our kids no longer find happiness while doing them. Seraphina Does Everything by Melissa Gratias does a wonderful job of showing kids that when you let go of some things and choose what you enjoy most, everything becomes more enjoyable!

The Littlest Leprechaun

The Littlest Leprechaun by Brandi Dougherty is a sweet story to read around St. Patrick's Day. Liam is the littlest leprechaun in the Enchanted Forest. He wants to have an important job in the village like everyone else. After trying out several different jobs, he finds he is too little to measure, too little to run, and too little to lift and carry important treasure. But in the end, Liam learns that he isn't too little to make a friend. Here are a few activities you can use with The Littlest Leprechaun in your classroom.

Your Happy Heart by Amie Dean

Your Happy Heart by Amie Dean is a story about how helping others helps you, too. This story follows Javon as he joins the Book Buddy program in his school and meets his partner, Richard. When the partnership gets off to a rocky start, Javon reflects on his own past and the tools he was taught to deal with his own anger and sadness. As Javon pours his heart into helping Richard, he learns the most important lesson of all: that helping someone else find their happiness can make your own heart happy, too. I want to share more about this book along with a few resources you can pair with this story.

A Crankenstein Valentine

If you loved reading Crankenstein, you'll be happy to know he's back in A Crankenstein Valentine! Here are some activities you can pair with this story.

Snowzilla

January is the perfect time to read books about snowmen, and Snowzilla by Janet Lawler is one of my favorites! Here are some activities to pair with the story along with a winter kid craft that your students will enjoy!

Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution

If you're looking to start the new year off with making resolutions and goal setting, you should read Squirrel's New Year's Resolution by Pat Miller. I have a fun resolutions craft and other activities you can pair with this story.

The Legend of the Poinsettia

The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola is a beautifully written and illustrated story. It is a great choice to read when learning about celebrations around the world. I want to share a few activities to help with comprehension of the story and new vocabulary. There's even a poinsettia craft to pair with student writing!

A Flicker of Hope by Julia Cook

As a fan of books written by Julia Cook, I was thrilled to receive a copy of her latest book, A Flicker of Hope. This story shows children that it is okay to ask for help while also encouraging them to be a hope builder for others. I want to share a few activities you can use with this story.

Bailey School Kids Book Series

The Bailey School Kids book series is an entertaining set of chapter books for kids. The series is written by Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton Jones. Each book follows Howie, Liza, Melody, and Eddie as they encounter a strange grown-up who may or may not be a mythical creature. Throughout the series the students have found a grown-up who they believe to be a vampire, a mermaid, an elf, a ghost, a werewolf, Santa Claus, and more! Does this sound like a series your students would enjoy? Here are three activities your students can use with these books in the classroom.

Balloons Over Broadway

Do you watch the annual Thanksgiving parade? Have you ever wondered who came up with the idea of putting gigantic balloons on display? Then you definitely need to check out Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet. This picture book biography tells the true story of the puppeteer behind the Macy's parade, Tony Sarg. I want to share some activities you can use while reading this book.

The Amazing Turkey Rescue

If you are a fan of Steve Metzger's books, you need to grab a copy of The Amazing Turkey Rescue. This is a great book to read before Thanksgiving and I want to share a few freebies you can use with this story.

Crankenstein Craft and Writing

Are you reading Crankenstein by Samantha Berger to your students this year? I have a Crankenstein craft and writing activity that you can use with your students after reading this story.