First Book Activity Sheet Part 2

Transcription

First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
7 9
Run Jump Whiz Splash
Written and Illustrated by
Vera Rosenberry
This easy to read book suggests many fun activities for learning about the four seasons.
Things To Talk About With Your Child
Before reading the story together, see if your child can guess what the book might be about.
As you read the story, ask your child to think about some other activities that can be done in
the Spring, Summer, Winter, and Fall.
Activities To Do With Your Child
1
Put on some old clothes and a pair of galoshes. Then go outside and jump in some
puddles. If the ground is dry, make your own rain puddles by sprinkling some water
on the grass.
2
Play dress-up with some old clothes. Decide what kinds of clothes you will need for
each season and then dress up to match the season.
3
Pretend to be a firefly, just like in the story. Turn the lights off in the room and then
turn on a flashlight. You could then turn on some music and do a firefly
dance.
4
For more learning fun, watch our kid’s shows on WGTE HD and WGTE Family.
First Book: Ready to Read Family Activity Sheets are funded, in part, by Owens-Illinois
and written and designed by WGTE Public Media, Toledo, Ohio.
WGTE First Books are made possible by United Way of Greater Toledo.
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
8 0
Make Way for Ducklings
Written and Illustrated by Robert McCloskey
Follow along with this family of ducks as they make their way to a new home in the city.
While looking at the cover of the book, can you guess what the story might be about? As
you read each page, talk about what is happening in the illustrations. Can you think of
other places where ducks might live?
1
Make a duck hat out of a paper plate. Cut approximately 3/4 of the center out of
a plate. Then fold the flap upward to become the duck’s head. Decorate it and
add a beak. When your duck hat is finished, put it on and quack like a duck.
2
Play Duck, Duck, Goose with some friends. Make sure everyone has a turn.
3
Visit the BETWEEN THE LIONS webpage at www.pbskids.org/lions and read the
story The Lucky Duck.
4
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
8 1
I Like It When...
Written and Illustrated by Mary Murphy
This story, containing simple text and colorful illustrations, talks about the many ways to
spend time with a loved one.
Talk to your child about what the book might be about. What is happening on each page?
What does the penguin and her child like to do together? How do you and your child like to
spend time together?
1
Spend some time with a loved one today. Perhaps you could go to the library and
read some books, plant some flowers together or take a walk outside.
2
Make your own “I Like It When...” book. Draw pictures of you and a loved one
doing special things together. Talk about what you like to do with that loved one as
you are drawing. Write down words to go along with your illustrations.
3
In the story, Little Penguin helps his mother. What are ways you can help your loved
one? After thinking of some suggestions, choose one and then try it.
4
For more learning fun, watch our kid’s shows on
WGTE HD and WGTE Family.
8 2
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
Bearobics
Written by Vic Parker Illustrated by Emily Bolam
You can’t help but move to the groove with this counting book full of toe-tapping jungle
animals!
As you are reading the story together, try to imitate some of the dance moves that the
animals are doing in the illustrations. Can you hop like the kangaroos or march like the
ants?
1
Turn on some music and dance to the beat. How would you
dance to slow music? How would you dance to fast music?
Play different kinds of music and show how you could dance
to each tune.
2
Think of some other animals that could be added to the story.
How would they move to the music? For example, how might
a bird dance?
3
Make a dancing doll. Use craft sticks and other various
art supplies to make your doll. When you’re finished,
turn on some music and make your doll dance.
4
For more learning fun,
watch our kid’s shows on
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
8 3
Bailey Goes Camping
Written and Illustrated by Kevin Henkes
In this story, Bailey learns how a little creativity and a lot of imagination can make camping fun.
Looking at the cover of the book, can you guess what the story might be about? Have you ever
been camping? What are some things you could do while camping? What do you need to have
to go camping?
1
Make a tent using a table and an old blanket. Grab a snack and a few good books and
spend some time in your tent.
2
With a grown-up, make some hot dogs and toasted marshmallows. What else could
you eat on a camping trip?
3
Invite some friends over for your camping trip. Sit in your homemade tent and tell
stories. Let each person have a turn adding to the story.
4
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
8 4
Grandmother and I
Written by Helen Buckley
Illustrated by Jan Ormerod
This loving story highlights the special bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.
Look at the cover of the book. What do you think the story might be about? Talk about the special
things the grandmother and granddaughter do together. Do you have a grandmother? If so, how do
you like to spend time with her?
1
Spend some time visiting with your grandmother. If you don’t have a grandmother, perhaps
you could spend time with another special person in your life.
2
Make a special card for your grandmother. Decorate the outside
however you wish and then write or draw a message on the inside of
the card.
3
Sit with your grandmother and have her tell
you stories about when she was little. What
kinds of things did she like to do when she was
your age? Tell her about some of the things that
you like to do.
4
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on WGTE HD and WGTE Family.
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
85
What Will I Be?
Written by Wendy Lewison
Photographed by James Levin
Explore the many community helpers there are with this colorful introduction to all kinds of occupations.
Look at the cover of the book. Can your child guess what the book might be about? As you read the
story together, see if your child can guess what kind of occupation is being described on each page.
Things To Do With Your Child
1
Visit some of your neighborhood community helpers. Take a trip to your local fire station or post
office. Find out what the people who work there do.
2
Gather some old clothes and dress up like your favorite community helper. What would you like
to be when you grow up?
3
Make a community helper puppet. Use paper bags and various art materials to make your
puppet. When you are finished, put on a puppet show.
4
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
86
Monster Math
Written by Anne Miranda
Illustrated by Polly Powell
How many monsters can one house handle? Find out in this colorful rhyming book about counting.
Look at the cover of the book with your child. What do you think the book might be about? Count the
monsters on each page. What are the monsters doing on each page? Practice counting as you read the
book together.
1
Make a monster mask using a paper plate and various art supplies. Cut out holes for the eyes
and then decorate your mask. Add some string and fit the mask over your head. Or, tape a
popsicle stick to the bottom of your mask and you could hold it in front of your face.
2
Practice counting around the house. What kinds of things can you find to count? For instance,
how many books are in your house? How many socks do you have?
3
The monsters in the story were dancing and singing. Turn on some music and do some
dancing and singing of your own. How do you think a monster might dance?
4
1
2
46
35
7
8
9
First Book:
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Family Activities
87
Jonathan and his Mommy
Written by Irene Smalls
Illustrated by Michael Hays
A little boy plays all kinds of games with his mommy as they go walking through their neighborhood.
Talk about the things you like to do with a loved one. How do you spend time together? As you read the
story together, talk about other ways that Jonathan and his mommy could move as they walk through the
neighborhood.
1
Take a walk with a loved one. As you are walking, try moving like Jonathan and his mommy did
in the story.
2
Draw a picture of your family. Talk about the favorite things you like to do with each person in
your family.
3
Look through some old magazines and cut out pictures of things you like to do with a loved one.
Then glue the pictures onto a piece of paper.
4
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
88
Can You See the Red Balloon?
Written by Stella Blackstone
Illustrated by Debbie Harter
Go on a treasure hunt as you are asked to search for surprises on every page of this colorful story.
Look at the cover of the book and guess what the story might be about. As you are reading together, try
to answer the question on each page. What other surprises can you find in the pictures?
1
Play an “I Spy” game. One person has to find something in the room and then provide hints
about it. Another person has to guess what the hidden object is.
2
Add another page to the story. Draw pictures of different things and then ask another person to
find one of the objects that you’ve drawn on the page.
3
Play hide and seek with some friends. You could pretend to be some of the characters in
the story.
4
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
89
Dinosaur Roar!
Written & Illustrated by Paul and Henrietta Stickland
Learn about all kinds of opposites with this colorful
rhyming book about dinosaurs.
Look at the cover of the book. What do you think the story
might be about? As you read the story together, see if the
children can describe what is happening on each page. Ask
them to tell you the opposites of some of the words they are
reading.
1
Make a dinosaur puppet. Use brown lunch bags and
various art materials to make your dinosaur. Then you
can put on a puppet show.
2
Go outside and pretend to be dinosaurs. How would a dinosaur
walk? What might a dinosaur sound like?
3
Use some clay or playdoh to design your own dinosaur. What will your dinosaur look like?
4
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
90
Max Paints the House
Written & Illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max
Follow along as you read this engaging story about cooperation and the colors of the rainbow.
Look at the cover of the book. What do you think the story might be about? As you are reading together,
talk about your favorite colors. What would happen if you mixed colors together? How do the characters
in the story learn to cooperate?
1
Use some paints and paintbrushes to paint your own picture. What happens if you mix some of
the colors together? Do you use some of the colors that Little Pink and his friends used in the story?
2
Do an activity together with some friends. You could draw a big
picture together or build something out of blocks. How can you
work together on your project?
3
Play a color sorting game. Find various items in the room that are
a particular color and put them together in a pile. Then
search for items of a different color and put them into
another pile. When you are finished, you could count
how many items you have of each color.
4
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
91
Quack and Count
Written & Illustrated by Keith Baker
How many ways can you add together
seven ducklings? Find out in this rhyming book of math.
As you are reading the story together, count
the ducks on each page. Practice counting
some of the other things you see on each page.
1
Play Duck, Duck, Goose with some
friends. As you play the game, make sure
everyone gets a turn.
2
3
Use some craft feathers to paint.
Pretend they are duck feathers, dip them
into paint and create a picture. How is this
different from using a regular paintbrush?
Practice counting in your home or classroom. What
are some things you could count? How high can
you count?
4
For more learning fun, watch our kid’s
shows on WGTE HD and WGTE Family.
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
92
Friends at School
Written by Rochelle Bunnett
Photographed by Matt Brown
Explore how a group of friends spend time together as you read about a day at their school.
As you read the story together, talk about how you like to spend your day. What kinds of activities do
you like to do? Who are some of your friends? How do you spend time together? Talk about what the
children are doing on each page of the book.
1
Draw a picture of a special friend. As you are creating your picture, talk about the kinds of
things you like to do with your friend.
2
Make a chart of activities you like to do. Once your list is finished, pick one of the activities and
do it with someone special.
3
Make a collage of all the things you like to do with a friend. Cut pictures out of magazines
and glue them onto a piece of paper. Your collage can show what you like to do at home
or at school.
4
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
93
I’m a Little Teapot
As told and illustrated by Iza Trapani
A familiar nursery rhyme is enhanced in this colorful story of two children and their adventures around
the world.
Talk to your child about rhymes. What does it mean to make something rhyme? What other rhymes can
you think of? As you read the story together, describe what you see on each page. Can you think of any
other adventures the children in the story could have?
1
Add on to the story by creating a new rhyme. Write down an adventure of your own. When you
are finished writing the new rhyme, draw pictures to go with it.
2
Make paper bag puppets of some of the characters in the story. Then act out the story using your
new puppets.
3
Bring music into your day by singing some other familiar nursery rhymes.
4
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
94
Dreaming
Written & Illustrated by Elaine Greenstein
This story encourages counting in a unique way as it helps to prepare children for a good night’s sleep.
Look at the cover of the book. Ask your child what he or she thinks the book might be about. As you
read the story together, count the different objects on each page. Then have your child practice counting
backwards.
1
1
Practice sorting various objects into muffin tins and counting them. You can use any objects, such
as pennies, that might fit into the tins.
2
Sing a counting song with your child. One example of a counting song could be “Five Little
Speckled Frogs.” The words follow:
Five little speckled frogs
Sat on a speckled log
Eating some most delicious bugs (yum, yum)
One jumped into the pool
Where it was nice and cool
Then there were four little speckled frogs (Continue
singing until there are “no more speckled frogs”).
3
5 79
10
8
246
3
Practice some counting on your own. Try to count
backwards. You could also take a walk outside
and look for things around you to count.
4
95
First Book:
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Family Activities
I Love You Because You’re You
Written by Liza Baker
Illustrated by David McPhail
Read about a mother’s love for her child in this descriptive story about feelings.
Look at the cover of the book. What do you think the story might be about? As you read the story
together, talk about the many feelings the little fox has. Do you ever have the same feelings? How do you
express those feelings?
1
Spend some time with a loved one today. Read some books together or take a walk outside. Talk
about the many things you like to do together.
2
Use paper plates, craft sticks and other art materials to make “feeling faces” masks. You
can make a mask that looks like a happy face of a sad face. Talk about things that make
you happy and then describe times when you are sad.
3
Draw pictures or write about all the things you love about your parent or
caregiver. What might some of those special things be?
4
!
First Book:
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96
Fiesta!
Written by Ginger Foglesong Guy
Illustrated by René King Moreno
Learn how some children prepare for a special
birthday party in this colorful bilingual counting
book
.
As you read the story together, have your child
practice counting in English and in Spanish.
Describe what is happening on each page of the
story. What kinds of things would you do to get
ready for a party?
1
Look for items around the room to count. Try
counting them in English and in Spanish.
2
Pretend it is your birthday. What would happen at your party?
Draw a picture about it. Talk about the kinds of decorations you
would have. What else might you have at your party?
3
Use paper maché and other art supplies to make your own piñata. What will you put inside of
your piñata?
4
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
97
It’s My Turn
Written by David Bedford
Illustrated by Elaine Field
Learn about taking turns, sharing and cooperating in this colorful story of two friends at the playground.
Talk with your child about what it means to cooperate or take turns. As you read the story together,
describe what is happening in the pictures. How does Oscar feel when Tilly doesn’t let him take a turn?
Talk about how you would feel if you weren’t able to get a turn at the playgound.
1
Play a game that requires you to take turns. Some examples of those games might be Musical
Chairs or Duck, Duck, Goose. You could even play a favorite board game with some friends.
Talk about why it is important to take turns and cooperate with others.
2
With a grown-up’s supervision, bake some cookies with a few friends. Each of you can take
turns adding the ingredients. How else could you cooperate while baking cookies?
3
Take a trip to your local playground with
some of your friends or family members.
Take turns on the swings or see if you can
find a partner to play on the see-saw.
4
First Book:
Ready to Read
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98
BusyToes
Written by C.W. Bowie
Illustrated by Fred Willingham
Learn about all the things you can do with your toes in this imaginative story with simple text and
colorful illustrations.
Look at the cover of the book together. Ask your child what he or she thinks the book might be about. As
you read together, talk about other ways you might be able to use your toes. How many different things
can you come up with?
1
3
Place a large piece of paper on the floor.
Then take your shoes and socks off, dip your
feet in paint and walk across the paper.
What do your footprints look like?
2
Use a crayon to trace your foot onto a
piece of paper. Then trace the feet of
other people in your family. Sort
everyone’s feet by size. You could sort
them from smallest to biggest or biggest to
smallest.
4
Place some masking tape in a design on
the floor. Then, with bare feet, try to
walk on the masking tape line. Pretend
you are walking the tightrope at a
circus.
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
99
Taking a Walk/Caminado
Written & Illustrated by
Rebecca Emberley
Read about all of the things you could see in this bilingual book that follows a walk from home to school
and then through town.
As you read the story with your child, practice both the Spanish and English words you see. As you turn
each page, guess where the walk will take you next. Talk about the kinds of things you might see if you
were to take a walk through town.
1
Make a list of some of the Spanish words in the book. Then try to figure out the English version
of each word. How many can you remember from the story?
2
Take a walk with a loved one. As you are walking, look for different things on your walk and
figure out the Spanish and English names for the things that you find.
3
Draw a picture of some of the things you see on your walk. You might draw a picture of your
school, the park or some other part of your town.
4
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
100
Froggy Goes to School
Written by Jonathan London
Illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz
In this story, learn about all the new things that Froggy discovers as he begins his first day of school.
Look at the cover of the book. Ask your child what he or she thinks the book might be about. As you
read the story together, talk about why Froggy might be nervous about his first day of school. Talk
about your child’s first day of school and what it was like. What kinds of things did your child do on
his or her first day of school?
1
Talk with a grown-up about your first day of school. What did you like best about your first
day of school? What might you have been nervous about? Have a grown-up write down
your answers.
2
Draw a picture of yourself going to school. What will you be wearing in the picture? What
will you be doing in the picture?
3
With a group of friends, play a game of leap-frog just as Froggy did on his way to and from
school.
4
SCHOOL
First Book:
Ready to Read
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101
Of Colors and Things
Created by Tana Hoban
Photos of some familiar items become a great starting point for a discussion about colors and
shapes.
Look at the cover of the story. What do you think the book might be about? As you read the story
together, have your child identify the items on each page. Then talk about the things you see around
you. Look for items in the room that might be the same color as something you saw in the book.
1
Add to the end of the book by drawing some of your own pictures. Divide your
paper into fourths and draw a picture of something in each square. Decide
what color each item will be.
2
3
Play a game of “I Spy” using colors. Take turns with some friends or family
members and have one person spy something red in the room. The rest of the
players will need to figure out what that item is. Play until everyone has a turn to
“spy” something.
Play a game of Twister using various colors of washcloths. Place the
washcloths on the floor and then ask another person to place a hand or
a foot on one of the colors. See how well the other person knows his or
her colors!
4
For more learning fun, watch our kid’s shows on WGTE HD and WGTE
Family.
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
102
The Seals on the Bus
Written by Lenny Hort
Illustrated by G. Brian Karas
Join some seals and a variety of other animals as they take a ride on a bus in this story based on a
familiar children’s song.
Look at the cover of the book. Guess what the story might be about. As you read the story together,
imitate the sounds that the animals are making. Try to predict which animal might be on the next
page.
1
Put motions to the words of the story. For example, move like a seal does. Walk like a tiger or
hop like a rabbit as you come to each of those pages.
2
Add to the story by drawing pictures of other animals that might ride the bus. Decide what those
animals might do or say once they get on the bus.
3
Make up another song about the seals and all the other animals once they get off the bus. How
might your song go?
4
First Book:
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103
My Friends
Written & Illustrated by Taro Gomi
Join the little girl in this story as she recounts all of the friendships she has formed.
Look at the cover of the book together. Try to guess what the story might be about. As you read
together, talk about your friends. What has each of your friends taught you? What have you shared
with your friends? What does it mean to be a good friend?
1
Take a walk with a friend and imitate some of the movements in the story. For instance, you
could jump like the dog in the story or walk like the cat.
2
Write a story about a special friend. You could talk about the kinds of things you like to do with
that friend. Draw pictures to go along with your story.
3
Invite a friend over for a play date. Perhaps you could play a favorite game together or make a
special snack.
4
First Book:
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What Am I? An Animal
Guessing Game
Written & Illustrated by Iza Trapani
Read along as this delightful rhyming story invites readers to guess the animals being described
on each page.
Look closely at the cover of the book. Can your child guess what the story might be about? As
you read together, see if your child can guess the animal based on the hints the author provides.
When you finish the story, give your child some hints about a different animal and see if he or
she can guess what the animal is.
1
Pretend to be each of the animals in the story. How would each animal walk? What sounds
would the animals make?
2
Add on to the end of the story. Write down some hints about a new animal and then draw a
picture of the animal on the next page. See if a grown-up can guess what you are
describing.
3
Use brown paper bags and various craft materials to make a puppet of some of the animals
in the story. Then you can tell the story using your new puppets.
4
104
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I Love Trains
105
Written by Philemon Sturges
Illustrated by Shari Halpern
Read along as this rhyming picture book introduces preschoolers to trains and the jobs that they do.
Look at the cover of the book together. See if your child can guess what the story might be about. As
you read the story together, talk about all the things that trains do. Can you think of when you may
have seen a train? Have you ever ridden on a train?
1
Use some old boxes of varying sizes to build your own train. Decorate each box to
resemble a different part of the train. You could even add some props, such as suitcases for a
luggage car or a cap for the engineer.
2
Get some exercise today by dancing along to some train songs. You could either listen to an
audiocassette of train songs or make up some songs on your own.
3
Enjoy snack time with trains. Spread some peanut butter or cream cheese onto celery sticks and
perhaps add some raisins. Can you think of other ways to make a train snack?
4
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Let’s Go Visiting
106
Written by Sue Williams
Illustrated by Julie Vivas
Join a young boy and his dog as they visit their barnyard friends in this lively counting book.
Try to guess what the story might be about just by looking at the cover. As you read the story
together, predict which number comes after the previous one. Make the sounds of the different
animals as you read.
1
Add to the end of the story by creating pages for the numbers seven through ten. What
kinds of animals will the little boy meet along the way?
2
Take a walk with a grown-up today. Perhaps you could stop and visit with someone
along the way.
3
Collect things around your house and count them. For instance, you could collect pennies
or socks and see how many you have.
4
First Book:
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Tumble Bumble
Written & Illustrated by Felicia Bond
Join along as a little ant takes a walk and meets up with a few friends along the way.
Look at the cover of the book. Can you predict what the book might be
about? As you are reading the story, talk about the animals the little ant
meets. Think of some other friends that could be added to the story. What
would they be doing?
1
As you read the story, imitate the actions of some of the animals. You could dance a
jig with the crocodile or tip-toe very quietly like
the ant and his friends.
2
Make a paper plate mask of one of the animals
and then act out the story.
3
Add to the story by thinking of some other animals that could join the little ant. What would
those animals be and what would they be doing?
4
107
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I Love Trucks
108
Written by Philemon Sturges
Illustrated by Shari Halpern
Learn about all kinds of trucks and the special jobs they do in this colorful rhyming book.
Look at the cover of the book with your child. Can your child
guess what the book might be about? As you read the story
together, talk about the different kinds of trucks you see on the
pages. Have you ever seen any of those trucks on the street?
Ask your child to choose which truck might be his or her
favorite.
1
Gather some old cardboard boxes of various sizes. Use some craft materials to decorate
them and turn them into different kinds of trucks.
2
For a snack activity, have children add instant pudding and milk to resealable bags. Close
the bags securely and have the children mix the ingredients together by squishing the bag.
They can pretend to be cement mixers as they do this
activity.
3
Collect a big box or laundry basket and several items to
go in it. Have one child pretend to be a loading truck and
load the items in the box or basket. Another child can
pretend to be a dump truck and dump the items out again.
4
For more learning fun, watch our kid’s shows on WGTE
HD and WGTE Family.
First Book:
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Bunny Cakes
Written & Illustrated by Rosemary Wells
Follow along with this story as Max and Ruby try to each make a birthday cake for Grandma.
Look at the cover of the book. Have your child guess what the story might be about. As you
read the story together, talk about the ingredients you need to make a cake. Point out the
words on the grocery list and try spelling them together. After you read the story together, see
if your child can remember all of the ingredients that went into the cake.
1
With a grown-up’s help, bake a cake of your own. What ingredients will you need? What
kind of cake will you make?
2
Plan a trip to a grocery store. Before you go, make a list of the items you would like to
purchase. You could either write down the words or draw pictures of each item.
3
With some friends, act out the Bunny Cakes story. Who will play the part of Max? What
kinds of props could you use?
4
109
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Family Activities
Bedtime for Frances
Written by Russell Hoban
Illustrated by Garth Williams
Read along with this story about a badger who has trouble going to sleep at night.
Look at the cover of the book together. See if your child can predict what the story might be
about. As you read the story together, talk about why Frances might be afraid to go to sleep.
Ask your child if he or she ever has trouble falling asleep. What kinds of things might help
your child to fall asleep at night?
1
Make a chart of some bedtime routines you could follow each night before going to bed.
For instance, you might write down such things as “brush my teeth”, “read a story”, or
“snuggle with a grown-up.”
2
With a grown-up, sing some favorite lullabies. Decide what songs you like best and sing
them together. You could even make up a lullaby of your own.
3
Have your child make a book. Your child could draw the pictures and you could write the
words to the story. When the book is finished, read it as part of your bedtime routine.
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Wiggle Waggle
Written by Jonathan London
Illustrated by Michael Rex
Follow along with this story about some animals who love to walk and dance in different
ways.
As you read the story with your child, have them act out some of the movements of the animals. Then see if your child can think of other ways to move
and dance. What other ways could some of the animals in the story move?
1
Use paper bags and various art supplies to make some of the animals in the story. When
you are finished, use the puppets to act out the story.
2
Add some other animals to the story. What might those animals be? How do you think
they might move? Make up ways that these new animals might walk.
3
Take a walk with a grown-up today. As you are walking, you could pretend to be some
of the animals in the story.
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The Berenstain Bears
Forget Their Manners
Written by Stan Berenstain
Illustrated by Jan Berenstain
Learn about manners, saying “please” and “thank you” goes a long way in this book.
Talk with your child about what it means to be polite and use our manners in the house
and outside the house. As you read the story together, describe what is happening in the
pictures. How does Mama Bear feel when her family forgets to use their manners? Talk
about how you would feel if someone was not polite to you.
1
Play a game that requires you to use your manners. Examples would be to role play with
your games such as Post Office, Grocery Store or Restaurant. You could even play a
favorite board game with some friends. Talk about why it is important to be polite and
use your manners.
2
With a grown-up’s supervision, bake some cookies with a few friends. Each of you can
take turns adding the ingredients. How else could you cooperate and use your manners
while baking cookies?
3
Take a trip to your local playground with some of your friends or family members. Take
turns on the swings or see if you can find a partner to play on the see-saw. What ways
do we use our manners at the playground?
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Who Said Red?
Created by Mary Serfozo
Photos of some familiar items become a great starting point for a discussion about colors and
shapes.
Look at the cover of the story. What do you think the book might be about? As you read the
story together, have your child identify the items on each page. Then talk about the things you
see around you. Look for items in the room that might be the same color as something you saw
in the book.
1
Add to the end of the book by drawing some of your own pictures. Divide your paper
into fourths and draw a picture of something in each square. Decide what color each
item will be.
2
Play a game of “I Spy” using colors. Take turns with some friends or family members
and have one person spy something red in the room. The rest of the players will need to
figure out what that item is. Play until everyone has a turn to “spy” something.
3
Play a game of Twister using various colors of washcloths. Place the washcloths on the
floor and then ask another person to place a hand or a foot on one of the colors. See
how well the other person knows his or her colors!
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Roar
Written by Pamela Edwards
Illustrated by Henry Cole
Join a young lion cub as he tries to make friends on his journey through the wilderness
with this lively counting book.
Try to guess what the story might be about just by looking at the cover. As you read the
story together, predict which number comes after the previous one. Make the sounds of
the different animals as you read.
1
Add to the end of the story by creating pages for the numbers eleven through
thirteen. What kinds of animals will the little cub meet along the way?
2
Take a walk with a grown-up today. Perhaps you could stop and visit with someone
along the way.
3
Collect things around your house and count them. For instance, you could collect
pennies or socks and see how many you have.
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Circus Caps For Sale
Written & Illustrated by
Esphyr Slobodkina
This is the funny tale of a peddler selling caps at a circus and an elephant who steals his caps.
It is a classic story with a surprise ending.
As you read the story aloud, ask your child questions like “What do you think will happen
next?”
Talk with your child about how the peddler felt when his caps were missing. The peddler was
sad and then frustrated. Talk about some things that your child could do to get rid of those
feelings.
1
Have your child help you read the story. Your child will like imitating the peddler right
along with the clowns! Encourage your child to pretend they are in a circus.
2
Have your child count the bunches of hats and name their colors.
3
Play “Monkey See, Monkey Do,” just like “Simon Says.” The person who is the peddler
does something like showing his teeth. The person who is the monkey does the same
action. Take turns being the peddler and a monkey.
4
Gather up any hats that you have. Retell the story.
Make a newspaper hat:
1. Take a piece of newspaper and fold it in half.
2. With the folded edge away from you, take the upper
corners and fold them to the center (so that they form a
point).
3. Fold the bottom edges up, one on each side.
4. Color and decorate your cap with crayons.
5. Wear you cap to retell the story!
5
For another really fun hat book, watch A Three Hat Day on Reading Rainbow.
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And the Cow Said Moo!
Written & Illustrated by Mildred Phillips
and Sonja Lamut
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This story shows that everyone is different in someway. A cow in the barnyard wonders why the
other animals don’t moo when he does.
Before you read the book, look at its cover with your child and ask him or her to guess what the
story will be about. As you read the story, talk with your child. Ask how the cow would feel if he
said oink or quack instead of moo. How would the other animals treat him if he did?
1
Read the book with expression. Give each animal his own voice and special sound.
Encourage your child to fill in the animal sounds as you read.
2
Sing a mixed up version of “Old McDonald Had a Farm.” It might go something like this:
Old McDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O,
And on his farm he had a cow, E-I-E-I-O,
With an OINK, OINK, here and an OINK, OINK, there,
Here and OINK, there and OINK, everywhere an OINK, OINK!
Old McDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O,
And on his farm he had a pig, E-I-E-I-O!
With a Moo, Moo, here and a Moo, Moo there,
Here a Moo, there a Moo, everywhere a Moo, Moo!
Old McDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O,……
3
Encourage your child to continue the song using unusual combinations of animals and
their sounds.
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Henny Penny
Written by H. Werner Zimmermann
Children learn about repetition and phonemes in this story.
Look at the cover of the book with your child. What do you think the book might be about?
As you read the story together, ask your child to name some of the characters. At the end
of the story, see if the children can guess what happened. What is the moral of this story?
1
Develop phoneme (rhyming) awareness. Have the children develop names for themselves
and go around the group (ex: Kerrie Berrie, Kathy Tathy, and Stacy Racy).
2
Create a memory book by recalling events that happened in the story to create a book.
3
Ask the children what they would wear on their heads if they sky were falling? Who
wears protective hats while playing sports or working on their job?
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If You Take A Mouse To School
Written by Laura Nemeroff
Illustrated by Felicia Bond
Learn about patience in this story. Enjoy the adventure of taking a mouse to school. This is an
imaginative story with simple text and colorful illustrations.
Look at the cover of the book together. Ask the children what they think might happen in the
story.
1 Write your own version of the story. Do this as a class or individually.
2
Create a mouse for your classroom. What materials could you construct it out of? Have the
children take turns caring for the mouse.
3
Make a picture book of the story. No words please. They should have 4-6 pictures in their
book.
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We’re Different, We’re the Same
Written by Bobbi J. Kates
Illustrated by Joe Mathieu
This story illustrates to young children that many people exist and they are all unique in their
own special way. And in some ways we are all the same.
Before reading this story with your child, talk about what they know. Use classroom friends as
examples. What makes your friends different and the same? What kinds of things do you like
to do with your friends?
1
With your child, look at some photos. Talk about the people in each picture. Have your child
describe what might be happening in the photos. How the people might be the same as them
and different.
2
Make your own picture of your friends. You will need construction paper, child scissors, glue
and markers. Make a tree out of the construction paper, decorating it any way you like. Then
write the names of your friends on each branch of the tree.
3
Make a picture frame. You could use construction paper, jumbo craft sticks, cardboard and
other various art materials to decorate your frame. When you are finished, attach a friends
photo to it. You may want to place the picture in a special spot in your home.
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How Do Dinosaurs Say
Goodnight?
Written by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague
Little ones will relate to this hilarious book about bedtime behavior. As you read the book
together, your child will eagerly answer the questions about what the dinosaur should and
should not do at bedtime.
Look at the cover of the book together. Do you think the dinosaur in the book has a favorite
stuffed animal? Talk about what your child enjoys at bedtime and what things help them go
to sleep. Let your child hold the book and turn the pages.
Activities to do With Your Child
1
Use a brown paper lunch bag and a variety of art materials: markers, glue sticks, wiggly
eyes, paper or material scraps, or stickers to decorate the bag. Use the finished bag as a
hand puppet and have your child act out the story.
2
Sing goodnight songs or listen to lullaby music while relaxing together before bedtime.
3
Play a goodnight game. Look around the room and say goodnight to items in your child’s
room. Encourage your child to say goodnight to favorite stuffed animals, toys, or pictures.
End the game by saying goodnight to everyone and everything.
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What Makes the Seasons?
Written by Megan Montague Cash
PBS Children’s Program Videos:
# 125 Caillou - All Kinds of Weather
# 120 Jay Jay the Jet Plane - Snuffy’s Seasons
Before watching the program with your child, ask him or her to describe each season. What does
the weather feel like in each season? How does it look outside? How should you dress in each
season? As you are watching the videos, talk about how Caillou and Snuffy learn about each type
of weather.
As you are reading the story together, talk about each of the four seasons. What are some activities
you could do during each season? Which season is your favorite? Describe what is happening on
each page.
1 Put on some old clothes and a pair of galoshes. Then go outside and jump in some rain puddles. If
you need to, make your own puddles by sprinkling some water onto the grass.
2
Play dress-up with some old clothes. Decide what kinds of clothing you will need for each of the
four seasons.
3
Take a nature walk to collect a variety of leaves. Make a fall placemat by placing a paper over
your leaves and rubbing with different colored crayons. Use clear contact paper to cover the paper
and use your fall placemat to encourage a discussion about the season.
4
Fold a large paper into 4 sections. In each section, add cut out pictures, drawings, or collage
materials for each season. Be sure to include your favorite activity such as swimming, sledding,
apple picking, or planting flowers.
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What Makes the Seasons?
Written by Megan Montague Cash
# 125 Caillou - All Kinds of Weather
# 120 Jay Jay the Jet Plane - Snuffy’s Seasons
Before watching the program with your child, ask him or her to describe each season. What does
the weather feel like in each season? How does it look outside? How should you dress in each
season? As you are watching the videos, talk about how Caillou and Snuffy learn about each type
of weather.
As you are reading the story together, talk about each of the four seasons. What are some activities
you could do during each season? Which season is your favorite? Describe what is happening on
each page.
1
2
3
Put on some old clothes and a pair of galoshes. Then go outside and jump in some rain puddles. If
you need to, make your own puddles by sprinkling some water onto the grass.
Play dress-up with some old clothes. Decide what kinds of clothing you will need for each of the
four seasons.
Take a nature walk to collect a variety of leaves. Make a fall placemat by placing a paper over
your leaves and rubbing with different colored crayons. Use clear contact paper to cover the paper
and use your fall placemat to encourage a discussion about the season.
4
Fold a large paper into 4 sections. In each section, add cut out pictures, drawings, or collage
materials for each season. Be sure to include your favorite activity such as swimming, sledding,
apple picking, or planting flowers.
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The Art Lesson
Created by Tomie dePaola
Recommended PBS Children’s Program Video:
# 1642 MR. ROGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD
Before reading the story, cover the title and see if the children can tell you what they think the
story is about.
1
Use some finger paints and paper to create a picture. Try mixing some of the colors together.
What new colors can you make from mixing other colors?
2
Take a walk with your child and see how many different colors can be found. You could take
your walk outside or you could go somewhere and walk inside. Perhaps you could even look
for colors at the grocery store. How many different colors can you find?
3
Use cut up pieces of colored tissue or construction paper and pieces of foil to design a
“stained glass” piece of art. Press your artwork onto one half of a piece of clear contact
paper and fold the contact paper halves together. Punch a hole in the top and use string or
yarn to hang your art.
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Peek-a-Boo!
Created by Roberta Grobel Intrater
Family photos or baby pictures become a great starting point for a discussion on feelings and
favorite games.
Watch the video about growing from MR. ROGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD # 1631.
Before you read the book, cover the title and ask the children what they think the book is
about. Ask them if they see any of the things they discussed as you share the book.
1
Make your own books with construction paper and add photos, drawings, and decorations. Punch holes in the side of the paper to attach the pages with yarn or ribbon. You
can laminate or use clear contact paper before putting the book together. Let the
children share their stories.
2
Play some of the favorite games you discussed such as “I Spy,” “Peek-a-Boo,” or
“Patty Cake.” Hide a timer or a favorite toy for a game of “Hide and Seek.”
3
Play music like Willabee, Wallabee Woo, London Bridges, Five Green and Speckled
Frogs, and other fun songs and fingerplays.
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Feast for 10
Written by Cathryn Falwell
PBS Children’s Program Video:
# 107 Caillou Cooks
Before watching the video, talk about special meal times with families and what favorite
family foods are shared at these meals.
Ask the children if they can figure out what this book will be about. As you read together,
talk about what is happening on each page and be sure to count together.
1
Learning Activities:
Help the children make a list of what their family would have at a special meal. Try
writing a favorite recipe by using pictures cut from magazines or draw the ingredients.
Have an adult help you with the making of your favorite recipe for a family treat.
2
Play an “I’m going to a special feast today” game. Have each child repeat the phrase, “I’m
going to a special feast today and I’m going to have…” Then each person can say something they would like to eat. The next person then repeats the phrase and adds his or her
own idea.
3
Plan a party such as a day to treat parents, invite grandparents or someone special to share
a special snack. Talk about things that need to be done ahead of time, such as the date,
time, invitations, the menu, and decorations. Have everyone take part by making name
cards or helping with the food. Share songs or games together.
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One Duck Stuck
Written by Phyllis Root
#215 Dragon Tales - Teamwork
Before watching the video, talk about what teamwork means. Did you ever try to do
something that was just too difficult to do by yourself?
Look at the cover of the book. Ask the children what they think the book might be about.
Count the ducks and other things on each page as you read together.
1
Play a game of Duck, Duck, Goose with some friends. As you play the game, make sure
everyone gets a turn.
2
Use some craft feathers as paintbrushes. Dip them into paint and create a picture. Talk
about how it is different than painting with regular paintbrushes.
3
Practice counting in your home or classroom. What are some things you could count?
How high can you count? Can you count backwards?
4
At home or in your class, make a special snack of “dirt pudding.” Have everyone work
together and measure, mix, crush, or help in some way. Follow the directions on the box
and make chocolate pudding. Crush Oreo cookies in a sealed storage bag and stir the
cookie crumbs into the pudding. Count as you add gummy worms on top and enjoy!
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Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse
Written by Leo Lionni
# 222 Clifford – Friends Forever
As you watch the program together, talk about what T-Bone and his friend liked to do
together. Then talk about who your special friend is. What do you like to do with your
friend? Do you like to do some of the same things that T-Bone and his friend liked to do?
Talk about what it means to be a good friend.
Look at the cover of the book. Decide what you think the book might be about. As you
read the story together, talk about who your friends are and how friends can sometimes be
very different from each other.
1
Write a story about your special friend. Do you have an imaginary friend ? Write about
the kinds of things you like to do together. Then draw pictures to go along with your story.
2
Invite a friend over for a play date. You could play a favorite game together or make a
special snack.
3
Make a drum out of an oatmeal box or an empty coffee can. Take turns being the drummer
and everyone join hands in a circle to dance a friendship dance. See if your movements
match the drumming sounds.
4
Have someone take a photo of you and your friend. Make picture frames by gluing craft
sticks together. When it’s dry, paint or decorate the frame.
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Who Uses This?
Written by Margaret Miller
# 614 Barney – Good Job
As you watch the program together, talk about the different jobs that people do. What jobs
would be hard, fun, or interesting? Why? Talk about what tools or equipment you would
need to do each job.
Look at the cover of the book. Ask the children what they think the book might be about.
See if the children can guess what kind of occupation is being described on each page. Do
the children know anyone who has each of those jobs?
1
Visit some of your neighborhood community helpers. Perhaps you could take a field trip to
your local post office or fire station. Find out what the people at those places do.
2
Gather some old clothes and play dress up as community helpers or other occupations.
Think about what you enjoy doing and role play about that kind of work.
3
After learning about different types of jobs, draw or write on a piece of paper a job that you
would like to do. Make a sign by cutting pictures from old catalogs or magazines and
gluing them onto a poster or cardboard. Add words, drawings, or stickers to your sign that
tell about your job.
4
Guess What I Am: Play a guessing game without wearing costumes. Do movements such
as driving a truck, giving a haircut, or watering plants and guess what job the movements
are showing.
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Red-eyed Tree Frog
Written by Joy Cowley
Photographs by Nic Bishop
Read this colorful story and learn all about the rain forest. Discover how tree frogs live,
what and when they eat, and what other animals and insects live in the rain forest with
them.
Have you ever seen a frog or any of the other animals or insects in the book? If so, what
did it look like? Estimate how big you think the tree frog really is and compare your guess
to common items; crayons, paper clips, books etc. before reading the answer at the end of
the story.
1
Draw a picture of a rain forest. What does your picture look like? What kinds of things can
you draw to put into your picture?
2
Take a trip to your local pet store. Ask to see some of the animals they have that might
come from warm, rain forest areas. What kinds of things would you see there? What types
of food would you see?
3
Go to your local library and check out some more books on tree frogs and other things you
would find in a rain forest area. Compare the average temperature in your area to the
average temperature in a rain forest climate.
4
Find out how far a tree frog can jump. Stand on a line or mark, and measure how far you
can jump.
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Old Hat New Hat
Written by Stan and Jan Berenstain
Children learn about comparing likes and differences and using vocabulary to describe
the comparisons.
Look at the cover of the book with your child. What do you think the book might be
about? As you read the story together, ask your child to talk about the different items and
events happening in the story.
1
Make a matching game by cutting different shapes and objects out of old wrapping paper,
wallpaper scraps or colored construction paper. Mix the pieces up and try to match them
again. Try different ways of matching the pieces such as color, size, or shape.
2
When grocery shopping, ask your child to describe different colors, textures, and sizes of
items you are buying. Compare food like bananas: Which is old and new? How do you
know?
3
Draw a story about what happens if something is too tall, too heavy, or too tight. Have
help writing words for your story and share it with others.
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Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain
Written by Verna Aardema
Illustrated by Beatriz Vidal
This book is an African folk tale. Folk tales are stories that families share with one
another and pass down from one generation to another. This story has a cumulative
refrain that is the rhythm of “The House That Jack Built” nursery rhyme. As you share
this book, children will love to repeat the refrain.
about? As you read together, ask the children to name some of the animals they see in
the story. At the end of the story, see if the children can guess what happened. Did a
feather really change the weather?
1
Develop phoneme (rhyming) awareness. Have the children play a rhyming game. Find
items in the room or outside that rhyme, such as rock-clock, toy-boy, hen-pen, etc.
You can change the rhyming by using their names: Ben-pen or Kate-gate, or silly
rhymes such as Karen-paren , Michelle-donelle , or Kathy-Tathy.
2
Make a mobile of the story. Act out and share what you remember from the book.
Draw pictures of the story such as the cows, the other animals, the eagle and the feather,
or the rain cloud. Cut out and punch a hole in the top of the picture. Use yarn or string
to hang the pictures at different lengths from a coat hanger.
3
Plant grass seed in two Styrofoam cups of dirt. Place them near a window with lots of
sunshine. Only water one cup. What happens? Think of other ways we use the rain.
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When This Box is Full
Written by Patricia Lillie
Illustrated by Donald Crews
#125 Caillou - All Kinds of Weather
#120 Jay Jay the Jet Plane - Snuffy’s Seasons
Before watching the program, ask your child to describe each season. What does the
weather feel like in each season? How does it look outside? How should you dress in
each season? As you are watching the videos, talk about how Caillou and Snuffy learn
about each type of weather.
As you are reading the story together, talk about the four seasons. What are some
activities you could do during each season? Which season is your favorite? Describe
some special things that happen in different months and times of the year. What helps
you remember those special times?
1
Learning Activities
Play dress-up with some old clothes. Decide what kinds of clothing that you will need
for each of the four seasons.
2
Take a nature walk to collect a variety of leaves. Make a fall placemat by placing a
paper over your leaves and rubbing with different colored crayons. Use clear contact
paper to cover the leaf rubbings. Use your fall placemat to enjoy a special snack of
fall foods like apples or pumpkin pie.
3
Cover a shoe box with contact or construction paper. Decorate it with markers and
stickers to make a treasure box. Fill it with items from each season that remind you of
the weather, nature, or special events for that time of the year.
4
Write the names of each month on a large white paper. As you add items to your box,
draw a picture or cut and glue old magazine photos of that item to add to your calendar. Share a story about your calendar and the items in your treasure box. Punch
holes in the side of the pages to tie them together with yarn or string to make your
own book.
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Jump, Frog, Jump!
Written by Robert Kalan
Things to Talk About With Your Child
As you are reading the story, do you see other animals or insects in the pictures? Why
do you think the frog is so good at jumping?
1
Have each child draw a picture of a pond. What does their pond look like? What kinds
of things live in their ponds? How do their pictures relate to the story?
2
Take a trip to your local pet store. Ask to see some of the animals that are in the pet
store that might be found in a pond. What kinds of things did you see? Did any of them
look like the animals in the book and the video?
3
Make puppets by drawing some of the animals from the book on heavy paper. Cut
them out and glue on craft sticks. Use your puppets to tell the story of “Jump, Frog,
Jump!”
4
Cut out green construction paper ovals or circles for lily pads. Place the “lily pads” on
the floor and roll clean socks into a ball to use as the frog. Throw the “frog” and see if
he can leap onto the pads.
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Giraffes Can’t Dance
Written by Giles Andreae
Illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees
You can’t help but enjoy the descriptive rhymes that illustrate the different prancing
and dancing of all the animals at the Jungle Dance! Every child will relate to
Gerald, the giraffe who can’t dance until he discovers his own special music.
As you are reading the story together, try to imitate some of the dance moves that
the animals are doing in the illustrations. Can you tango like the lions or cha-cha
like the chimps?
1
Turn on some music and dance to the beat. How would you dance to slow music?
How would you dance to fast music? Play different kinds of music and show how
you could dance to each tune.
2
Think of some other animals that could be added to the story. How would they
move to the music? For example, how might a bird dance? Visit your zoo or pet
store to use your imagination and picture how the animals would dance. When you
return home, draw the different animals that you have imagined dancing.
3
Make a dancing doll out of craft sticks and other art supplies. Or glue magazine
photos or drawings to the sticks to make different animals. When you’re finished,
play some music and have your doll or animals dance.
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The Kissing Hand
Written by Audrey Penn
Illustrated by Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak
#112 Clifford – Little Clifford
As you watch the program together, talk about how much Emily Elizabeth loves
Clifford and takes care of him. Ask the children what it means to love another
person. When someone is not with you, how do you know they still love you?
Look at the cover of the book. What do you think the story might be about? Do
you know anything about the habits of raccoons? Have you ever had to do something that seemed scary or strange at first? What helped you not to be afraid?
1
Spend some time with a loved one today. Read books together or take a walk
outside. Talk about the many things you like to do together. Use Chester’s kissing
hand idea to keep the good feelings close to you when you are not together.
2
Use paper plates, craft sticks, and other art materials to make “feeling faces” masks.
Draw a happy face mask and talk about things that make you happy. Describe the
times that you felt sad or scared as you draw a mask with a sad face.
3
Draw pictures or write about all the things you love about your parent or caregiver.
What might some of those special things be?
4
Have your loved ones hold out their arms as far as possible to make a big hug.
Measure their hugs with yarn or string. You can keep the measured hugs in your
pocket to remember their love when you are not with them.
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Ben’s Trumpet
Written by Rachel Isadora
Talk to your child about different types of music such as jazz. What instruments
do you hear: piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, and drum? Talk about the
pictures in the book. Help your child describe what he sees. What time of day is
it? How does Ben feel?
1
Bring music into your day by singing some familiar nursery rhymes, clap to songs
such as B-I-N-G-O, or play games to songs such as “I’m Bringing Home a Baby
Bumblebee” and stand up or sit down every time you hear the “b” sound.
2
Use finger paints to make a picture while you listen to music that has a fast beat.
Try different colors as you paint to music with a slow beat.
3
March to songs like the Saints Go Marching In and other jazz music. Make your
own instruments. Decorate an oatmeal box for a drum, use cardboard tubes as
kazoos or wind instruments, and cut a hole out of a cereal box and put rubber
bands over the hole for a piano or guitar.
4
If you play a musical instrument, tell your child about your experience of learning
how to play.
5
135
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Barnyard Banter
Written and Illustrated by Denise Fleming
This book has beautiful colors and images of barnyard animals. The animal
sounds not only stand out in large, black lettering on each colorful page, but the
rhyming pattern encourages your child to interact with the story.
Before you read the book, look at its cover with your child and ask him or her to
guess what the story will be about. As you read the story, point at each word and
encourage your child to make the animal sounds throughout the book.
1
Read the book with expression. Give each animal his own voice and special sound.
Be sure to make the hunt for goose interactive, especially at the end of the story.
Encourage your child to fill in the animal sounds as you read.
2
Take a walk with the children in your care. As you are walking pretend to be different barnyard animals. How would they walk and how would that animal sound?
3
Sing “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” together. Let each child contribute to the song
by pretending to be an animal on the farm.
4
Make your own farm animal book. Cut pictures of farm animals out of old magazines and glue them to some paper. Then staple or punch holes and use yarn or
string to tie the pages together to make a book.
5
Make animal puppets using paper bags and other craft materials. Invite the children
to act out and tell the story with their puppets.
6
Cock-a-doodle-doo
MOO
OINK
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Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
By Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
Illustrated by Lois Ehlert
A bright parade of colors as this fun rhyme has alphabet letters racing each other
up the coconut tree!
As you are reading together, have your child find the letters on each page. Can
your child think of other things that begin with that letter? After reading the
story, see if your child can recall where the letters were found.
1
Say and sing the alphabet together. Then see if your child can say the letters of
the alphabet backwards. Try saying the sounds of the letters such as “buh” for
B or “duh” for D, instead of naming the letters.
2
Make up a grocery list and put a picture of each item that is written on the list.
Have your child practice the letters and sounds as they help you find the items
on the list.
3
Make your own book with each page representing a letter of the alphabet. Then
cut some pictures out of old magazines that begin with each letter. Finally, glue
the pictures onto the appropriate page. For example, a picture of an apple goes
on the “A” page.
4
Play rhyming games. Show your child a simple object and ask them to find
something in the house that rhymes with the name of that object. For example:
rock-sock, rope-soap, or fish-dish. Do art rhyming by drawing a picture and
drawing pictures that rhyme with the first picture. For example, draw a cat-bathat-etc. Play a game using action
rhyming words, such as pup-stand up,
cheese-touch your knees, or clown-sit
down .
5
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137
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The Biggest, Best Snowman
By Margery Cuyler
Illustrated by Will Hillenbrand
138
Follow along as you read this winter story about a little girl who learns you can
do big things if friends cooperate and work together.
Look at the cover of the book. What time of the year do you think it is? What
do you like to do when it’s this season?
1
2
3
4
5
Make a picture of winter activities. Cut out pictures from old magazines or
draw a pair of snow boots, mittens, ice skating, sleds, snowmen, or hot chocolate!
Do an activity together with some friends. You could draw a big picture together or build something out of blocks. How can you work together on your
project?
;;;;
;;;;
Make a snowman snack using 3 small rice cakes for the snowman. Use cream
cheese to attach raisins for eyes, pretzel sticks for arms, and any dry cereal for
a nose and mouth.
Make snowstorm pictures by tearing cotton balls into little pieces. Glue the
pieces on construction paper. You can draw snowmen or other items first and
then cover them with the “snow.” Can you tell a story about your snow
picture?
Family.
First Book:
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Family Activities
Chrysanthemum
By Kevin Henkes
On her first day of school, Chrysanthemum discovers her perfect name is dreadful when others make fun of her. She is miserable until the music teacher, Mrs.
Twinkle tells the class that she thinks the name Chrysanthemum is absolutely
perfect!
As you are reading the story with your child, ask him or her to interact and share
how they think Chrysanthemum is feeling. Have they ever had the same feelings? What made them feel better? What does your family do to help each
other feel special?
1
Make a “Me” book with your child. Have your child draw pictures or cut pictures out of magazines and paste them onto pieces of paper. Your child can then
write a story about the pictures. For example, what might his or her favorite
color be? What toys or games does your child like? When you are finished,
read the book together.
2
Use a mirror and ask your child to describe what he or she sees when looking at
themselves in the mirror. Now look in the mirror with your child. What do you
see that is alike and what do you see that is different? Share family photos and
find differences at each age and see if some things such as curly or straight hair
stay the same in each photo.
3
Substitute your child’s name and other silly rhyming words into familiar songs.
Rewrite the song lines to fit what you are doing or just for giggles and fun.
4
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The Napping House
By Audrey Wood
Illustrated by Don Wood
Enjoy this simple story about a napping house with a delightful surprise
ending. The colorful scenes reflect a change in weather and moods. The
cumulative rhymes are amusing and listeners will want to hear it again and
again.
Look at the cover of the book together. Ask the children what they think
might happen in the story.
1
Build a napping house out of building blocks or decorate a shoe box. What
materials could you use to make the bed for your house? Add pictures or toy
animals to enjoy retelling the story.
2
Sing some nap time songs such as “ Rock-a-bye-baby,” “ You are my sunshine,” or other familiar lullabies. Be sure you’ve enjoyed a bedtime story
before falling asleep!
3
Start a special family routine before bedtime each night. Before or after you
sing songs and read stories, enjoy a special snack. Try warm milk and
graham crackers, cinnamon toast, or your favorite cookies.
4
Make your own special story book. On white paper, add drawings, stickers,
and glue cut out pictures or photos of nap time at your house. Be sure to
tell a story like the “The Napping House” where a surprise happens at the
end. Don’t forget things like your favorite toy or blanket and your bedtime
story and snack routine. Tie the pages of your book together with yarn or
ribbon.
5
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Hello Ocean
Written by Pam Munoz Ryan
Illustrated by Mark Astrella
Before reading the story, have the children look at the cover and discuss
what the book will be about. What might live in or near the ocean? Has
anyone ever been to the ocean? If so, what kinds of things did they see,
smell, and hear? As you are reading the story with the children, ask them
to stop and close their eyes and imagine what they would hear or smell
after seeing the pictures.
1
Have each child finger paint a picture of the ocean. To add texture,
sprinkle colored sand on the pictures while the paint is still wet. What does
their ocean look like? What kinds of things would live in the water, in the
sand, or overhead in the sky? How do their pictures relate to the story?
2
Take a trip to your local pet store or the zoo. Ask to see some of the
animals that are in the pet store that might be found in ocean water. What
kinds of things did you see?
3
Make wave bottles. Put marbles or metal balls in the lid of a shoe box and
have the children close their eyes as the lid is moved from side to side.
Does it sound like waves? Play music of ocean and water sounds and see if
you can guess what the sounds are.
4
Provide building shapes, buckets, shovels, and tools to build sand castles in
your sand box or at the park.
5
Go to your local library and check out some more books on oceans and
ocean animals. Read them together.
6
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141
First Book:
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Rin, Rin, Rin
Do, Re, Mi
Written by Jose-Luis Orozco
Illustrated by David Diaz
Before reading the story, ask the children to tell you about the people in
their family. What do they like to do with their family? While reading the
book, see if your family does some of the same things that happen in the
book. This book has both English and Spanish lyrics and text. The colorful illustrations encourage children to join a young child as he enjoys the
company of his family.
1
Spend some time taking a walk or playing at the park with your family.
Play a rhyming game of things you see, smell, or hear outside such as a
bird’s tweet – feet, seat, etc. You could also play a counting game of the
different things you see or hear.
2
Visit the grocery store or a farmer’s market. Play a game of find the word
for the different foods your family purchases. When you return home,
pick a favorite recipe that includes some of the words you have learned.
Help prepare a special family dinner together.
3
Draw pictures or have someone take photos of favorite activities you
enjoy as a family. Have everyone write stories to go with the pictures and
put them together in a family book to share again and again.
4
In the story, the child wants to sing with his family. Choose favorite
songs and have all the family enjoy a time of music and singing together.
Be sure to spend time reading books with your family and sharing hugs
and kisses, too.
5
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What Stinks?
Written by George Carruth
Illustrations by Libby Carruth Krock
Before reading the book, look at the cover. Talk about what signs or
“clues” are on the cover that might tell you what the story is about. Do
you think the children are brother and sister or friends?
1
Use some paints and paintbrushes to paint your own picture. What
happens if you mix some of the colors together? What colors could you
mix to make the smudges and browns from the story?
2
Play a guessing game of smells. Put items such as an orange or lemon
for citrus, an onion, and chocolate, cinnamon, or peppermint in a shoe
box. No peeking, just use your nose to guess what items are in the box.
For a challenge, make several different boxes with a variety of several
items such as toothpaste from the bathroom, dish soap from the kitchen,
and a box with outdoor smells such as flowers or pine needles.
3
Create your own book by drawing several pages of activities that you
enjoy. Add photos that include you, family, and friends if possible. Be
sure to add drawings of bubble bath fun, too. Punch a hole in the top or
side of the pages and tie them together with yarn or ribbon to make your
activity book.
4
Before bedtime, enjoy bubble fun in the bath as you share this story. As
you are reading, try making up new fun or silly rhyming words to fit in
the story.
5
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143
First Book:
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We All Went On Safari
Written by Laurie Krebs
Illustrations by Julia Cairns
Look at the cover of the book with your child. What do you think the book
might be about? As you read together, ask the children to count the animals with you. Discuss what safari might mean and what the weather
might be like in Tanzania. Discuss and share the supplemental information
about Tanzania and count together in Swahili.
1 Make a mobile of the story. Act out and share what you remember from
the book. Draw pictures such as the zebras and the other animals, a campfire, and the people from the story. Cut out and punch a hole in the top of
the picture. Use yarn or string to hang the pictures at different lengths
from a coat hanger.
2
Use modeling clay or playdoh to make the different animals that were in
the story.
3
Play an imitation game and try elephant walking, lion roaring, or other
animal actions from the storybook.
4
Draw a large shield shape on white paper. Use different colors of paint
and different objects such as old toy cars, lids, egg cartons, keys, etc. to
make a pattern on the shield shape. For some pattern ideas, look at the
page, “Swahili Names” to see examples.
5
Visit your local library and the zoo to find more information about the
animals and the country of Tanzania.
6
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First Book:
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Bear Shadow
Written and Illustrated by Frank Asch
Looking at the cover of the book, can you guess what the story might be about? Have you
ever been fishing? How do shadows change at different times of the day?
1
With a grown-up, make some hot dogs and toasted marshmallows. What else could you eat
on a camping trip? Take a walk to collect leaves, pine cones, and other nature items. Glue
your nature collage to the top of a shoe box and store your camping photos and stories
inside the box.
2
Invite some friends over for your camping trip. Sit in your homemade tent and tell stories.
Let each person have a turn adding to the story. Enjoy singing songs and playing a card
game of “Go Fish”.
3
Shine a [bright] flashlight on the tent wall and let children take turns using their hands or
their bodies to make shadows. If weather permits, check shadow sizes and shadow locations at different times of the day. What happens to your shadow in the morning, when the
sun is directly overhead, and later in the day?
4
145
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Seven Blind Mice
Written and Illustrated by Ed Young
Read along as one by one, six different-colored mice investigate the strange something by
the pond. It’s only when the seventh mice explores the complete something- that they all
see the whole truth.
Look closely at the cover of the book. Can your child guess what the story might be about?
As you read together, see if your child notices the colors and how they relate to each
mouse.
1
Use an old clean pillowcase or a brown paper grocery bag to make a sensory game. Add
different things such as rubber toys, cotton balls, blocks, a squeeze ball, sandpaper, and
other texture items. Try to guess what the items are by only feeling them and not peeking.
2
Add on to the end of the story. Write down some hints about a new animal and draw a
picture of the animal on the next page. See if a grown-up can guess what you are describing.
3
Play music and let children pretend to be animals as they move to the music. Take turns
guessing what the animal is. After the game, talk about the animals they pretended to be.
What do they know about these animals and how could they find out more information?
4
146
First Book:
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ThrowYour Tooth on the Roof
Written by Selby B. Beeler
Illustrated by G. Brian Karas
about? As you read together, ask the children to share their ideas about the weather, the
houses, and the different clothing they see in the book. Discuss what you do with your
tooth when it falls out.
1
Make a sock puppet from a clean old sock. Show how it slips over the hand and makes a
mouth by tucking the toe end into your hand. Decorate with markers and glue yarn for
hair, fabric scraps, paper, or felt for ears, nose, or eyes. Use self sticking Velcro to attach
a strip of small white buttons for teeth. Have fun sharing stories with your “tooth”
puppet.
2
Use modeling clay or playdoh to make a map of the world. Model the different lands
and add animals and people from the places you read about in the book.
3
Act out some of the customs and traditions from the book. Play a guessing game to
name the country the tradition about a lost tooth is from. Set up a dentist office and have
dolls or stuffed animals for patients. Use old white shirts for smocks, popsicle sticks,
dental floss, and toothbrushes for instruments.
4
Cut out magazine pictures or draw pictures of foods that are good for your teeth. Do you
know which foods are not so good for your teeth? Glue the healthy food pictures on a
large paper and attach a self sticking piece of magnet to the back. Hang it on your
refrigerator as a reminder of which foods are healthy for you. For more learning fun,
watch our kid’s shows on WGTE HD and WGTE Family.
147
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The Hello, Goodbye Window
Written by Norton Juster
Illustrated by Chris Raschka
Enjoy this Caldecott winner story with colorful scenes of a little girl’s visit to her grandparents’ house. Adventures, the world, and wonderful imagination are captured in a very special
window. Children will relate to the emotions, feelings, and memories created in this story.
Look at the cover of the book together. Ask the children what they think might happen in the
story.
1
Build a house with a special window by using building blocks or decorate a shoe box. What
materials could you use to make the bed for your house? Add pictures or drawings of what
you would like in your house.
2
Sing some nap time songs such as “ Rock-a-Bye-Baby” or “Hush, Little Baby” or other
familiar lullabies. Be sure you’ve enjoyed a bedtime story before falling asleep at naptime.
3
Start a special scrapbook. On heavy paper, add drawings, photos, and stories of family
memories such as visits with grandparents, special meals, music, or planting a garden together. Punch holes in the papers to tie them together with yarn or ribbon for your book. It’s
nice to add dates to your photos and events.
4
Have everyone in your family share in planning a favorite family meal. Use recipes from
relatives or just ones that your family has always liked. After dinner, share stories about
traditions and activities your family has enjoyed and also activities that you have not done yet
but might have fun trying together.
5
148
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Barn Dance!
Written by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
Illustrated by Ted Rand
This is a magical and fun filled read aloud tale of a young boy on a farm. You will want to
join in the rhythm of country music as rhyming words and rousing pictures capture the
wonder of a barn dance!
Before reading the story, ask the children what they think the story might be about. What
kinds of animals can you find on a farm? Where have you seen a barn before? What do you
think will happen in the story?
1
Sing “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” together. Let each child contribute to the song by
pretending to be an animal on the farm. What does that animal sound like?
2
Make your own farm animal book. Cut pictures of farm animals out of old magazines. Glue
them to pieces of construction paper and then bind the papers together. You could even write
a story to go with your pictures.
3
Pretend to be your favorite barnyard animal. Play some music and have a “barn dance.”
How would the animals dance and what sounds would they make?
4
149
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Book! Book! Book!
Written by Deborah Bruss
Illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke
Read along as this delightful, imaginative story invites readers to guess how the animals
will get the librarian to understand what they want. The ending adds a fun twist to the
story.
While reading the story, see if your child can guess which animal will be the one to make
the librarian understand what the animals want.
1
Pretend to be each of the animals in the story. How would each animal walk? What sounds
would the animals make?
2
Make farm animals from playdoh or modeling clay. Build a barn out of blocks or use a
cardboard box to make a home for the animals.
3
in the story. Then you can tell the story using your new puppets.
4
Be sure to visit and enjoy your library.
5
150
First Book:
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Angel Child, Dragon Child
Written by Michele Maria Surat
Illustrated by Vo-Dinh Mai
This is a story of a young girl who has just come to the United States from Vietnam. The
story is told to promote understanding between Vietnamese children and their American
peers.
Before reading this story with your child, talk about the people in your family. What is
special about your family? In this story, Ut misses her mother who had to stay behind in
Vietnam. The children laugh at Ut when she speaks in Vietnamese. The surprise is
Raymond the boy who picks on her almost everyday, is the one who thinks of a way to
help Ut.
1
With your child, look at some family photos. Talk about the people in each picture. Have
your child describe what might be happening in the photos.
2
Make your own family tree. You will need construction paper, child scissors, glue and
markers. Make a tree out of the construction paper, decorating it any way you like. Then
write the names of your family members on each branch of the tree.
3
Make a picture frame. You could use construction paper, jumbo craft sticks, cardboard and
other various art materials to decorate your frame. When you are finished, attach a family
photo to it. You may want to place the picture in a special spot in your home.
4
Learn more about traditions and family customs in Vietnam at the library. The Vietnamese
legend of the Angel Fairy and the Dragon King is included on the last pages of this book.
5
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Have You Seen My Duckling
Written and Illustrated by Nancy Tafuri
Follow along with this family of eight ducklings and their mother. As they swim through
the pond, they ask each creature they meet if they have seen the one lost duckling. Sharp
eyes will note the “lost” duck as you read this story. A wonderful opportunity to introduce nature, creatures, and counting.
While looking at the cover of the book, can you guess what the story might be about? As
you read each page, talk about what is happening in the illustrations and see if you spy
the lost duckling. Can you think of other places where ducks might live?
1
Make a duck hat out of a paper plate. Cut approximately 3/4 of the center out of a plate.
Then fold the flap upward to become the duck’s head. Decorate it and add a beak. When
your duck hat is finished, put it on and quack like a duck.
2
Play Duck, Duck, Goose with some friends. Make sure that everyone has a turn.
3
Visit the library or a metro park to learn more firsthand about ducks and other pond
creatures and their habits.
4
Take a walk and collect nature items to make a mural. Glue sticks, leaves, flowers, grass,
and other items such as feathers to poster board or thin cardboard. Create a picture to
retell the story. Add words or have help writing about your story on the back of the
picture.
5
152
First Book:
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Family Activities
Five Little Monkeys
Jumping on the Bed
Retold and Illustrated by Eileen Christelow
This is the funny tale about five little monkeys who ready themselves for bed. They say
goodnight to their mother and then start some serious bed-jumping! Expressive faces,
silly fun, counting monkeys, and the easy repetitive phrases make this a wonderful read
aloud story.
As you read this story, encourage your child to repeat the fun actions and phrases. Ask
your child, what do you think will happen next? Have you seen live monkeys on TV
shows or at the zoo?
1
Make a monkey puppet using a paper bag or an old, clean sock. Add facial features
with markers, or glue on eyes and a cotton ball for a nose and red material or construction paper for a mouth. Add colorful materials for nightgowns or pajamas or use markers to decorate. Retell the story with your puppet.
2
Play “Monkey See, Monkey Do,” just like “Simon Says.” The person who is the Mama
monkey does something like brush her teeth or jump up and down. Everyone else does
the same action. Take turns being the Mama monkey.
3
Make a special snack using 4 ounces of milk in a blender and adding one cut up banana
or another favorite fruit. Be sure an adult helps you blend the milk and fruit to make a
tasty smoothie drink.
4
For more learning fun, watch our kids’ shows on WGTE HD and WGTE Family.
153
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Clifford Takes a Trip
By Norman Bridwell
This is a funny tale starring Clifford, the big red dog who stayed behind while Emily
Elizabeth and her family went on a long vacation to the mountains. Clifford gets lonely
and sets out on his adventure to find them.
As you read the story aloud, ask your child questions like “What do you think will
happen next?”
Talk with your child about how it feels to be lonely and what makes you feel better. In
the book, Clifford saves Emily Elizabeth. Talk about safety and how things might turn
out different than they did in the story.
1
Have your child draw pictures of places they would like to go to on a vacation or places
that they have visited on vacation with their families. Did they camp in a tent or swim
or go to a park? Did you travel in a car or an airplane? Help add words to the pictures
to make stories they can share with others.
2
Plan an imaginary vacation. Make a list of things you will need to pack for your trip.
Make a map of the roads or cities you will travel and the special places you will visit.
Be sure to remember your camera to take pictures of your vacation.
3
Make a special snack to take on a long or a short trip. In a zip lock bag, mix together
raisins, pretzels, small crackers, or unsweetened cereal to make a trail mix snack to
enjoy while you’re traveling.
4
154
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Tiger Can’t Sleep
Written by S. J. Fore
Illustrated by R. W. Alley
Read along with this story as a little boy gets cozy and ready to fall asleep. But in the
closet, a very inventive and a very noisy tiger can’t sleep. Enjoy the story and the
solution to help Tiger and everyone get to sleep!
Look at the cover of the book together. See if your child can predict what the story
might be about. As you read the story together, ask your child if he or she ever has had
trouble falling asleep. What kinds of things might help you fall asleep at night? What
things keep you awake?
1
Make a chart of some bedtime routines you could follow each night before going to
bed. For instance, you might write down such things as “brush my teeth”, “read a
story”, or “snuggle with a grown-up.” A before bedtime snack such as warm cocoa or
crackers and milk could be on your chart of routines.
2
With a grown-up, sing some favorite lullabies. Decide what songs you like best and
sing them together. You could even make up a lullaby of your own.
3
Have your child make a book. Your child could draw the pictures and you could write
the words to the story. When the book is finished, read it as part of your bedtime
routine.
4
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Corduroy Lost and Found
Based on the character created by Don Freeman
Story by B.G. Hennessy
Pictures by Jody Wheeler
Corduroy is familiar to many children and a teddy bear has long been a comfort and a
best friend to many little ones.
Before reading the story together, see if your child wants to share about their teddy
bear or favorite stuffed animal. As you are reading together, have your child share
feelings about what is happening in the story: Can you guess what will happen next?
How does that makes Lisa feel?
1
Play a game of hide and seek with your child’s toys or stuffed animals. Use the
repetitive, “ Goin’ on a Bear Hunt” for a fun, imaginative game. Adapt to your child’s
interests: dinosaurs instead of bears or a strawberry instead of a chocolate factory.
Be sure you have your child repeat back your phrases as you both tap or clap the
words.
2
Draw a treasure map and use clues such as the swing in your backyard or the red
flower in the garden to uncover more clues to lead to a hidden treasure. Be sure to
mark an X on your map to show where the treasure is hidden.
3
Have some teddy bear crackers and dip apple slices in honey for a special snack.
If the weather permits, enjoy your treat on a blanket outside and pretend you are on a
teddy bear picnic.
4
Share other bear stories such as “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” by
Bill Martin or “Bear Shadow” by Frank Asch. Use patterns or pictures to tape to craft
sticks or make puppets by using markers to decorate brown bags. Use your puppets
to retell the stories.
5
156
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
Goodnight Moon
By Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrated by Clement Hurd
Your child will enjoy this classic story as a part of his or her bedtime routine.
Find a time when both you and your child are relaxed. Choose a comfortable spot.
Let your child hold the book, turn the pages, and name objects or animals in the
book. Point to the pictures as you read the story.
1
Read the book just before bed. Look out the window for the moon. Look around
the room and take turns with your child saying goodnight to something in your
child’s room. Encourage your child to say goodnight to his or her favorite toy and
end the game by saying goodnight to everyone and everything.
2
Sing some nap time songs such as “ Rock-a-bye-baby”, “ You are my sunshine”, or
other familiar lullabies. Be sure you’ve enjoyed a bedtime story before falling
asleep!
3
Start a special family routine before bedtime each night. Before or after you sing
songs and read stories, enjoy a special snack. Try warm milk and graham crackers,
cinnamon toast, or your favorite cookies.
4
Visit the library for other nursery rhyme board books.
5
157
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
Curious George Rides a Bike
By H. A. Rey
Curious George tries to help deliver newspapers. He starts out on his new bicycle, but his
curiosity takes him on an adventure! The man in the yellow hat finds George at the animal
show and takes him home.
As you read the story aloud, ask your child questions like “What do you think will happen
next?” Talk with your child about how it feels to be curious and if they have had adventures like George. What part of George’s adventure was the most fun and what part was
scary? Why?
1
Have your child help you read the story. Your child will like imitating Curious George.
Dress up and use your imagination to act out parts such as the animal show in the story.
2
Help your child make a tasty snack by preparing instant vanilla or banana pudding. Add
cut up pieces of banana and vanilla wafers. Add cool whip topping to complete your treat.
3
Play “Monkey See, Monkey Do,” just like “Simon Says.” The person who is Curious
George does something like showing his teeth or jumping up and down. Take turns being
Curious George.
4
Gather up any hats that you have. Retell the story. Make a newspaper hat to wear and go
to an imaginary animal show.
Å Take a piece of newspaper and fold it in half.
Å With the folded edge away from you, take the upper corners and fold
them to the center (so that they form a point).
Å Fold the bottom edges up, one on each side.
Å Color and decorate your cap with crayons.
Å Wear you cap to retell the story! Use a jump rope or hula hoop to make
rings for your animal show.
5
158
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
Sweet Briar Goes to School
Written by Karma Wilson
Illustrated by LeUyen Pham
In this story, learn how a little skunk named Sweet Briar shows the other children how to
look beyond their noses and see how special –and brave- she is.
Look at the cover of the book. Ask your child what he or she thinks the book might be
about. As you read the story together, talk about why Sweet Briar might be nervous about
her first day of school.
1
Talk with a grown-up about your first day of school. What did you like best about your
first day of school? What might you have been nervous about? Have a grown-up write
down your answers. What could you do to help a friend at school feel welcome?
2
If possible, have your family take your photo before starting school. Glue the photo to a
piece of construction paper and have someone help you make a title. Each day or week
after school begins, add a page of drawings of what you wore to school, what your favorite
song, book, friends, or activities are. Punch holes in the top corner of the papers and tie
them together with yarn or ribbon to make a book.
3
Enjoy your favorite fruit with pretzels or popcorn for an after school snack with your
family.
4
159
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
Arthur’s Birthday
Written by Marc Brown
Arthur is excited about inviting all his friends to his birthday party. But Muffy is having
her birthday party the same day! How will everyone decide whose party to attend? Enjoy
reading this fun story with a surprise ending.
What do you do to celebrate your birthday?
1
Plan a play party with your child. With markers and stickers, design special invitation
papers or cards. Help your child write the time and names on the invitations. Make it a
family activity or a special time for just you and your child and stuffed toy friends. Make
fun decorations of tissue or balloons and have a special party menu with favorite treats.
2
Do problem solving and enjoy a story telling activity with your child. Think of some story
starters such as: Once when I was lost, I…. or One stormy night, the lights went out
and…. Start with your story having a problem and then provide a solution for a good
ending. Ask your child to do the same. Be sure to help with questions or answers if
needed.
3
Have a celebration parade by playing fun marching or dancing music. Use dress up clothes
and hats to enjoy singing and marching to the music. Use paper horns or bells to add more
fun to the parade.
4
Plan a special treat with your child to celebrate a family day. Prepare favorites from your
family recipes. Ask each member to share why it’s their favorite treat. Add memories,
such as Grandma always made this on Grandpa’s birthday or for a special Holiday. Share
photos and talk about traditions in your family.
5
160
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
Arthur’s Baby
When Arthur’s parents tell him about their surprise, Arthur gets lots of advice from his
friends. A baby doesn’t seem like a great idea until…Arthur is the one who makes her
happy.
Do you have a baby in your family? What do you do when babies cry?
1
Spend some time with your child sharing photos of your family and photos of your
child as a baby. Take a photo of your child now and talk about what changes happened
as they grow. What skills such as bike riding or drawing pictures or getting dressed can
they do now that babies can not do yet?
2
Play a game with your child and make sounds that you hear babies make. When you
say “oooo” or “aaaa” have your child imitate that same sound. If you make a crying
sound like “AAAHHH”, have your child decide what the baby is telling you. Do they
need a new diaper or are they hungry?
3
Sing some of your favorite songs and share lullabies with your child. Cuddle with a
favorite blanket or soft toy and share some bedtime stories. Talk to your child about
how these things make them feel. Why would it make a baby feel safe and loved also?
4
161
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
Arthur’s Teacher Moves In
In this story, Arthur’s teacher, Mr. Ratburn needs a place to stay while his roof is
being repaired. Enjoy Arthur’s adventures as he discovers some surprises about his
teacher as he stays with Arthur’s family.
As you read the story together, talk about why Arthur might be worried about his
teacher staying at his house. Talk to your child about Arthur’s friends calling him a
teacher’s pet and how that makes him feel.
1
Talk with a grown-up about your morning routine before school. Cut out magazine
pictures of toothpaste, clothing, a school bus, or breakfast foods. Work together to
make a collage.
2
Sing the alphabet song and find things around the house that begin with each letter,
one at a time, and name them. Decorate a brown paper bag with Arthur and his
friends. Collect items that start with the same sound as a letter, selecting a different
one each day.
3
Plan an imaginary trip and make a list of items that you might pack in your bags or
suitcase. How would you travel; by car, train, or airplane? How much money would
you need for gas or tickets? What other items such as food or books would you
need?
4
Plan a movie night with your family. Create a special dessert like Arthur’s father
made for Mr. Ratburn while he stayed at their house. What is your family’s favorite
dessert? Enjoy that favorite treat while watching a movie together.
5
162
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
Arthur Goes To Camp
In this story, Arthur is not having any fun at camp,until he helps his friends win the
scavenger hunt.
Have you ever been to a camp? What items did you pack to take with you? What
activities did you like and what things were not as fun?
1
2
Use blankets or sheets over a table or chairs to make a tent for an indoor camping
trip. Use a flashlight and share books and stories inside your tent.
Sing your favorite songs for your indoor camping activity. Make up silly words to
music to invent new camping songs. Help your child make a special snack for
camping. Mix pretzels, dried fruit and raisins, different cereals, and snack crackers
to enjoy a camping treat.
3
Make a list of about 8-10 items to find on a scavenger hunt. Write the items or cut
out pictures to add to the words for the items on your list. Hide items such as a
banana, a pair of sunglasses, or a plastic toy. Set a time limit to begin hunting and a
time to end. Have a special prize and a game or activity using the items you found.
4
163
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
Curious George
Written by H.A. Rey
Curious George meets the man in the yellow hat. Travel with George to the city and
watch his curiosity take him on adventures!
happen next?”
Talk with your child about how it feels to be curious and if they have had adventures
like George. What part of George’s adventure was the most fun and what part was
scary? Why?
1
Have your child help read the story. Your child will like imitating Curious George.
Dress up and use your imagination to act out parts such as using the telephone
appropriately and safety ideas from the story.
2
Help your child make a tasty snack by preparing instant vanilla or banana pudding.
Add cut up pieces of banana and vanilla wafers. Add cool whip topping to complete
your treat.
3
Play “Monkey See, Monkey Do,” just like “Simon Says.” The person who is Curious George does something like showing his teeth or jumping up and down. Take
turns being Curious George.
4
Visit the zoo with your family. Enjoy the day with a picnic lunch [pack a banana!]
and remember George’s adventures as you pay particular attention to the monkeys.
5
For more learning fun, watch kids’ shows on WGTE HD and WGTE Family.
164
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
Curious George Builds a Home
Adaption by Monica Perez
Curious George meets a homing pigeon and tries to improve his home so it will be
perfect for his new friend.
happen next?”
1
Have your child help you read the story. Your child will like imitating Curious
George. Play some music and pretend to fly like a bird to the rhythm.
2
Help your child make a tasty snack by preparing instant vanilla or banana pudding.
Add cut up pieces of banana and vanilla wafers. Add cool whip topping to complete
your treat.
3
Play “Monkey See, Monkey Do,” just like “Simon Says.” The person who is Curious
George does something like scratching his head or eating a banana. Take turns being
Curious George.
4
In the storybook, there are directions that George followed to build his pigeon a home.
Gather items such as twigs and leaves to add to playdoh or modeling clay, and tie
items such as empty cardboard tubes or milk cartons with string or yarn to create
your own design. Make a bird feeder by adding peanut butter to a pinecone and
rolling the cone in bird seed. Tie the feeder to a tree branch with yarn or string.
5
For more learning fun, watch kids’ shows on WGTE HD and WGTE Family.
165
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
Clifford The Small Red Puppy
By Norman Bridwell
Emily Elizabeth tells how she got Clifford when he was just a puppy. She describes
how he grew and grew and grew until he had to move to the country.
Let your children share about their pets as they read about Clifford.
1
Have your child cut out pictures of different pets and their babies. Help them write
words to describe how they grow, what they eat, and how to take care of each pet.
2
Plan a trip to visit a pet store. Talk to the pet store manager to set up a good time to
visit and share special information. Before you go, talk to your child and show
pictures of different pets you will see. Take the photos with you on your visit and
talk about the animals and their needs.
3
Make a yarn dog by tracing a good, clear picture of a dog onto cardboard. Cut yarn
into 1-2” strands. Glue the strands onto the dog outline to make hair and a tail.
Draw eyes, a mouth, and define the ears and tail. Invent a name for the new dog.
4
Use playdoh or modeling clay to make dog toys, a dog collar, dog dish, and a pet dog
to have creative play fun.
5
166
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
Clifford The Big Red Dog
By Norman Bridwell
In this story, Emily Elizabeth describes Clifford, her big red dog. Every detail that
makes Clifford so special, even his bad habits illustrates why Emily loves Clifford.
Let your children share about their pets as they read about Clifford.
1
Have your child draw a picture of their pet-real or imaginary. Help them write
descriptive words about the size, color, activities, and habits their pet has. Be sure
to include what makes their pet so special.
2
Plan a trip to visit a pet store. Talk to the pet store manager to set up a good time
and share special information. Before you go, talk to your child and show pictures
of what you will see. If you take the photos on your trip, share them so your child
can see and talk about them.
3
Play a game of hide and seek with your favorite stuffed toys. Use your imagination
like Emily Elizabeth and Clifford and play camping out. Read a favorite story
together while you are “camping.”
4
Have fun making different types of pets with playdoh or modeling clay.
5
167
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
Clifford Gets A Job
By Norman Bridwell
Clifford makes up his mind to get a job to pay for his own dog food. He tries the
circus and the farm, but everything goes wrong. A surprise “catch” and Clifford
finds the perfect job.
happen next?”
Talk with your child about what jobs they would like to do and why.
1
Find songs about work and jobs such as “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” or
“Wheels on the Bus” and sing the actions together. Have fun and add your own
words to music for a new work song such as: “Timmy builds a house…Timmy
pounds the nails...bang, bang…Timmy saws the boards” or “Susie gives the
medicine….Susie checks the throats..Ahhhh”
2
Visit a farm, a fire station, or a police station to see firsthand what equipment and
different types of jobs are done at each place. After your visit, use your imagination to dress up and “perform” some of the jobs you have seen.
3
Enjoy a family outing to the park or playground. Have your child help pack a
lunch to take to work: sandwiches, fresh vegetables, fruit, and juice or a thermos
of lemonade. Talk about how important it is to eat healthy no matter what your
job will be.
4
168
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
Chickens Aren’t the Only Ones
Written and Illustrated by Ruth Heller
Read along as this delightful rhyming story provides colorful and fun scientific information about all types of animals that lay eggs, not just chickens.
As you read together, see if your child can identify the different animal, insect, or amphibian that is described on each page of the book.
1
Visit your library to find more information and books about the creatures in the story.
2
With an adult’s help, try making a special meal using eggs. Try omelets with cheese or
vegetables for breakfast, or egg salad sandwiches for lunch, or boil eggs to add to a salad
for a family dinner.
3
Go on a nature walk. Use a magnifying glass to see if you can find egg sacs in spider
webs, or other insect eggs.
4
Make a picture of the different settings from the story such as a farm, pond, the ocean, or
flowers. Add drawings of the animals, insects, or sea life that lay eggs in the type of
setting you drew.
5
169
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
Quick as a Cricket
Written by Audrey Wood
Illustrated by Don Wood
This easy to read book provides perfect illustrations that celebrate the self awareness of a
child. Loud as a lion and quiet as a clam are just two of the wonderful descriptions in this
story.
Before reading the story together, see if your child can guess what the book might be
about. As you read the story, have the children share their feelings like the ones illustrated in the book. Have they felt this way or seen live creatures that are in the story?
Activities to Do With Your Child
1
Make different animal masks from paper plates. Cut holes for eyes and punch holes on
either side of the eyes for the string or yarn. Play music and have a parade of animals or
play a game imitating animal actions and sounds.
2
Enjoy a snack of animal crackers with your favorite fruit such as bananas or strawberries.
Try to remember as you eat the different animal crackers, the actions or the feelings that
described each animal in the story.
3
Wrap a small animal cracker box in paper and decorate to make a camera. For the lens,
glue a lid from a milk gallon. A piece of sponge can be glued onto the box for a power
button. Fold the box lid up and cut a hole for the eyepiece. Set stuffed animals or pictures
of real animals around the house and take pictures as you travel on safari.
4
170
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
Silly Sally
Written by Audrey Wood
Children will enjoy the sing-song rhyming and imaginative silliness of this cumulative
tale.
As you share the fun rhyming in the story, be sure to ask the children if they have heard of
a loon, a jig, or other words in the book. Encourage questions and share comments about
the people or the silly actions they see on each page.
1
Play a game of Simon Says by having the leader pick a letter and name the sound. Ask
the children to find other things they can see that start with that same sound. [Example:
B-buh: bread, bat, ball, basket]
2
Play a rhyming game by drawing a picture on a piece of paper. Draw as many things that
you can think of that rhyme with that object. [ Help children think of items that would
have some rhyming objects.] Show an object or say a word such as rock. Ask your child
to go find something in the house that rhymes-they may return with a sock.
3
Use playdoh or modeling clay to make figures and animals. Use the figures and animals
to imagine and act out a silly story of your own. You could add items such as small
flowers or use small wooden blocks to make a town.
4
With an adult helping, make a fun dessert like pineapple upside down cake and enjoy a
family night of fun, silly stories.
5
171
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
Sometimes I’m Bombaloo
Written by Rachel Vail
Illustrated by Yumi Heo
Children will relate to the emotions of the child in this book. Katie is usually a very happy
child, but sometimes, when she is upset and angry, she becomes Bombaloo.
As you are reading the story with your child, ask him or her to interact and share how they
think Katie/Bombaloo is feeling. Have they ever had the same feelings? What made them
feel better? What does your family do to help each other feel special?
1
Talk about a time when you made a mistake that hurt someone’s feelings. Lead into how you
feel when you make a mistake and what it means to feel sorry. With your child’s help, think of
ways you could make the other person feel better such as writing a note, making a picture,
fixing the mistake, or hugging the person.
2
With crayons or markers, draw a picture on a large piece of paper as you listen to some
favorite music. You could make up a dance, put words to the music, or pound clay or modeling dough in rhythm to the music. Everyone has a special way of reacting to music, so your
child may enjoy sitting quietly and just listening.
3
With adult help, prepare a favorite dessert recipe that your family enjoys. Take out family
photos and share stories and memories for a special family activity night.
4
With a mirror, encourage your child to change facial expressions to let people know how they
feel. Here are some different ways to show how you feel: angry-make a fist, stomp your feet,
or glare; happy-smile, clap, laugh; surprised-open your mouth, widen your eyes, jump back;
sad-pretend to cry, hide your eyes, lower your head. Play a guessing game by taking turns
acting out feelings and having others guess what they are. It’s important to remember, if we
want others to know, not guess, what we are thinking and feeling, we have to tell them.
5
Happy
Sad
172
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
Written by Judi Barrett
Illustrated by Ron Barrett
As you read this tall-tale bedtime story, use your imagination and from the illustrations,
share what you would do if you lived in the town of Chewandswallow.
Before reading the story, ask the children what they think the story might be about. What
do you think will happen in the story?
1
Build a town like the one from the book using building blocks. Create playdoh or modeling
clay figures or items. Use your imagination to tell a tall-tale story with your creations.
2
Enjoy a special face sandwich snack. Use a circle cookie cutter to cut a slice of bread in a
face shape. Spread peanut butter, oleo, or cream cheese on the “face”. Add your favorite
vegetables or fruit, such as an apple slice for the mouth or raisins for eyes.
3
Try this activity on a day with clouds in the sky. Lie on your back and start by looking for
different shapes and patterns. Ask your child what the clouds make him or her think about
and why. Put together an imaginary story about the clouds and the sky.
4
Have your child share a story about grandparents or other family relatives. It could be real
or something they imagine. Help them write the story and add drawings and photos. Fold it
neatly and send to the lucky person[s].
5
173
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
Aunt Isabel Tells a Good One
Written by Kate Duke
Enjoy this imaginative story and have your child guess what will happen next as you read.
The author uses delightful illustrations to create the setting for a wonderful tale.
Look at the cover of the book together. Ask the children what they think might happen in
the story.
1
2
Paint or draw a picture as you listen to different types of music: loud, soft, slow, and fast.
Use your artwork to create a story.
Think of a treat to make as you read books such as : “The Gingerbread Man” and bake
your own gingerbread men, make a pot of soup after reading “Stone Soup”, or bake your
favorite cookies and enjoy “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie”.
3
Create a puppet theater with a cut out shoe box or drape material over a table. Make puppets with paper lunch bags. Add stickers, use markers, glue yarn, ribbon, or material to
decorate the puppets. Use your puppets and your imagination to tell stories.
4
Make your own special story book. On white paper, add drawings, stickers, and glue cut
out pictures that help show what is happening. Be sure to have a beginning, an adventure,
and a “feel good” ending. Tie the pages of your book together with yarn or ribbon and
share your story.
5
174
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
The Three Billy Goats Gruff
Written by Paul Galdone
This is the classic tale about three different sized goats and the troll who wants to eat them
as they go across his bridge. As you read this story aloud, be sure to have the children share
their feelings about the story and provide reassurance to those more timid.
As you read this story, encourage your child to join in the repetitive phrases. Ask if they
have seen live goats and remind them trolls are only in books or movies.
1
Using a paper bag, an old, clean sock, or a paper plate taped to a craft stick, make puppets.
Add facial features with markers and add string or yarn for hair. Cut out construction paper
horns to glue on the goats. Decorate a puppet for your troll. Tell the story with your puppets.
2
Have fun reenacting the story by using dress up materials and items. Try creating a bridge
from building blocks or legos to use with figures you make from modeling clay or playdoh
to retell the story.
3
Visit a nearby farm or your local petting zoo to see live goats. You could also find out more
about the sizes and types of goats, what they eat, how long they live and more information
by visiting you library.
4
175
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
Beatrice Doesn’t Want To
Written by Laura Numeroff
Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger
As you read this story together, see if children relate to Beatrice and if they can predict what
will happen.
While reading the story, see if your child can guess what will make Beatrice change her
mind about books.
1
Read a book together and draw pictures of the story you have read, but make up a different
ending in your drawing. You might want to make your drawings into a book. For covers,
children can decorate pieces of cardboard or poster board with markers or scraps of material. Each child should make pages of drawings or glue cut out pictures for their book.
Punch holes and assemble the cover and pages with a shoe lace or heavy yarn.
2
in the story. Then you can re-tell the story using your new puppets and a favorite book that
Beatrice might want to hear.
3
Create a personalized book mark by cutting a 2" x 10" piece of card stock or any type of
stiff paper. Decorate with stickers, markers, or glue on cut out pictures. Punch a hole in the
middle of the end of the bookmark and attach a ribbon or a piece of yarn.
4
Be sure to visit and enjoy your library. Find out from your librarian the times and dates of
activities and programs such as story hour that are offered at your library.
5
176
First Book:
Ready to Read
Family Activities
Chameleon’s Colors
Written by Chisato Tashiro
This beautifully illustrated story is a lesson in the importance of being yourself and the
benefits of diversity.
As you are reading the story together, ask your child to interact and share what they think will
happen next as Chameleon carries out his idea. Have they ever had the same feelings about
themselves and others? Did changing help the animals?
1
After you read the book, have your child name animals and their special colors such as yellow
for the lion and brown for the monkey. What color would the chameleon be if he sat on a fire
truck? A banana? A rock? Or a box of crayons? Use modeling clay or playdoh to make
different animals from the story.
2
Use a mirror and ask your child to describe what he or she sees when looking at themselves in
the mirror. Now look in the mirror with your child. What do you see that is alike and what do
you see that is different? Share family photos and try to find differences at each age. See if
some things such as curly or straight hair stay the same in each photo.
3
Visit your library or a pet store and find out more information about chameleons. After you
have learned more about chameleons, make a list of these facts and add drawings to illustrate
what you have learned.
4
Have a special snack after enjoying this story. With an adult’s help put 1 cup of vanilla yogurt
in a blender. Cut up different colored fruits such as strawberries, oranges, bananas, and blueberries and add the fruit to the yogurt. Blend gently until smooth. If needed, add another cup
of yogurt to thicken or a small amount of orange juice to thin the mixture. The variety of fruit
flavors and colors should make a delicious smoothie drink.
5
177

First Book Activity Sheet Part 2

Transcription

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