books that you will love
Mix It Up! by Herve Tullet
Have you ever felt like you were part of the book? This book does just that. As a follow up to, Press Here, the author Herve Tullet has created a book about colors that lets the reader do the mixing! You must tap, swipe, and even press the pages together to make the colors change. Most children who read it think it is magic! Here is an activity kit to go along with the book:
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Press Here by Herve Tullet
This is an interactive book. It says, "Press Here" and you just have to do it! It continues to give directions throughout the book. This would be a fun book for children to read independently or in a small group. It would be great for a discussion on following directions. Make a Press Here mini-book using the activity sheets below.
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The Kiss Box
by Bonnie Verburg This story is similar to the story The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn. This would be a great beginning of the year story, especially in the very early grades. It would also be a great book to read around Valentine's Day. Create your own kiss box after reading this book! |
Rabbit! by Rodrigo Folgueira
This is cute story about a pig who is trying to make some new friends. He starts with the frogs and only says, "Ribbit!" and then tries the birds where he tweets. This would be a great book to talk about characters. Try using puppets for each of the characters they mention in the story. Check out the activity pages below!
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Ol' Mama Squirrel by David Ezra Stein
This is a funny little story about a spunky mom squirrel who will always protect her babies. This will make a great read-aloud. It would make a wonderful Mother's Day story. Try these fun squirrel activities: http://www.makinglearningfun.com/themepages/Squirrel-Printables.html |
Open Very Carefully: A Book with Bite by Nick Bromley
If you are looking for a book to get your kids laughing this is it. A crocodile has fallen into the book and cannot get out. In the end he chews his way through the last page. After reading this book have students answer the question at the end telling what the crocodile will do next. This would be the prefect book for a reluctant reader. |
Chrysanthemum
by Kevin Henkes This is a classic story. It is a great way to teach kids to be kind to others. It would be a good discussion starter in your classroom when teaching children the impact words can have. Try this fun project: http://tekyteach.blogspot.com/2011/08/chrysanthemum-first-day-name-activity.html |
The Hundred Dresses
by Eleanor Estes This is an older title, but one that is to good to miss. A wonderful read-aloud chapter book that your children are sure to enjoy. A young girl named Wanda is bullied about the same faded blue dress she wears to school each day. She claims to have 100 dresses at home. When she leaves school the other students realize what they have done, but their apologies are too late. One girl in her class decides she is never going to let it happen again. Lesson ideas and printables: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/hundred-dresses-lesson-plan |
This Moose Belongs to Me
by Oliver Jeffers This is just a funny book about a boy who thinks he owns a moose. He creates rules for the moose to follow, but in the end it does not really work out the way he had planned. This might be used at the beginning of the year when you are discussing classroom expectations/rules. Here are some fun discussion ideas: http://readingwithrhythm.wordpress.com/2013/02/22/this-moose-belongs-to-me/ |
The Reader
by Amy Hest Looking for a book to read in winter. Well, this is it! This is a very cute story about a boy and his dog going on an adventure. In his suitcase is a book. When they make it to the top of the snow covered hill they find the perfect place to read. A simple text with simple pictures it would be a good book to read-aloud or have students read independently. |
King Bidgood's in the Bathtub
by Audrey Wood This book is one of my favorites! The pictures are so detailed and enhance the simple, repetitive text. The king will not leave the bathtub and only the young Page figures out how to get him out. |
A Splash Of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin by Jen Bryant
Read this book if you are looking for something motivating. This is the story of a Horace Pippin who was born in the late 1880s. It tells of his struggles to become a successful painter. It will teach children to keep going even when things get tough. Check out the activity guide below.
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Planet Kindergarten by Sue Ganz-Schmitt
Take a space adventure to the first day of kindergarten. This would be a great book to share on the first day of school. This book could be paired with the nonfiction book Exploring Space by David Conrad. After reading have the students make a name rocket ship. |
Grandpa Green
by Lane Smith As a Caldecott Honor book the pictures really tell the story. A young boy tells about the life of his grandfather and what his garden holds. Here the author tell about this book: http://www.teachingbooks.net/book_reading.cgi?id=5593&a=1 |
The Juggling Pug by Sean Bryan
Do you want to get kids laughing? This book will do it! The Juggling Pug is famous in his town. Since he is famous he is able to get away with some mischief...like pooping on the floor! This book is a quick read and has rhyming text. You will enjoy this silly tale. Have your students learn how to juggle with scarves after reading this book. Check it out: http://juggling-for-beginners.com/how-to-juggle/how-to-juggle-scarves/ |
Thunder Cake
by Patricia Polacco This book was written in 1997, but continues to have a place in today's classroom. A young girl who is afraid of thunderstorms visits her grandmother. They bake a cake to overcome her fears. |
The Meanest Birthday Girl by Josh Schneider
Dana is not the nicest girl around and she is having a birthday party. Will she change her ways? With some creativity and the help of a large pet she just might. This a very quick, but fun book with only five short chapters. After reading have students write or draw about the best birthday present they have ever received.
Dana is not the nicest girl around and she is having a birthday party. Will she change her ways? With some creativity and the help of a large pet she just might. This a very quick, but fun book with only five short chapters. After reading have students write or draw about the best birthday present they have ever received.