These Are My Rocks
Author: Bethan Woollvin
Illustrator: Bethan Woollvin
Summary: Have fun exploring different collections of all kinds in this fun story about gathering all types of things from the ordinary to the humorous to the invisible!
Recommended Ages: 2-7 years
Themes, Skills, & Concepts: "These Are My Rocks" encourages so many early learning skills: counting, sorting, listening and matching to name a few! Kids are encouraged to interact with each collection and determine how each are related.
Extension Activities: Take a nature walk with kids, encouraging them to collect found items (rocks, sticks, leaves, snail shells..any kind of fun item they may find). Have kids sort their items into categories grouped by type and then name their collections. See how many different ways that their collections can be grouped. For a deeper dive into types of rocks, click on the link below for some lesson ideas. Click here!
Mary Had a Little Jam
Author: Tammi Sauer
Illustrator: Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Summary: Mary is known for adding flair to everything she does! While strumming on her ukelele, she decides that she needs to form a band! Who will Mary recruit to join her group?
Recommended Ages: 3-7 years
Themes, Skills, & Concepts: While reading this book, you will notice characters pulled from many nursery rhymes. Have kids identify and name the rhymes. When the band is in need of help, Mary pulls them all together. Start a dialogue with kids about how they can be leaders in a group that may need some direction!
Extension Activities: How fun to form your own band! Watch the video below to learn how to make musical instruments from items that you will find around the house! Click here!
Today My Brain is a Dinosaur
Author: Kyla and Jedidiah Mora
Illustrator: Mette Engell
Summary: A young boy tries to follow expectations of behavior that are so hard for him but his brain just won't cooperate. Spend some time with him to understand his perspective and frustrations of his behavior.
Recommended Ages: 4-8 years
Themes, Skills, & Concepts: This grand prize winner of Their Own Voices, Own Stories can give adults and children an insight into how life can be for kids with autism, ADHD or other neurodivergent differences.
Extension Activities: Here are some great activities for all kids to learn various social/emotional skills. These skills are valuable for all to learn and to help build empathy for our friends who are neurodivergent. Choose the link below for those activities. Click here!
A Maker of Dresses
Author: Violet Lemay
Illustrator: Michael Sampson
Summary: Dressmaker Alexis leads the reader through a week of stitching, sewing, fitting and designing outfits for every day of the week!
Recommended Ages: 4-8 years
Themes, Skills, & Concepts:
Extension Activities: Bring out the old-fashioned paper doll (print with the link below) and let kids design their own outfits! Use craft supplies to encourage creativity! Click here!
Cute Animals that Could Kill You Dead
Author: Brooke Hartman
Illustrator: Maria Garcia
Summary: This informative and adorable book will introduce and educate kids about some cute little animals that can be very harmful!
Recommended Ages: 6-8 years
Themes, Skills, & Concepts: A great read aloud that reinforces non-fiction text features.
Extension Activities: Students can create a Venn diagram with two circles labeled "Cute Animals" and "Deadly Animals". They can list examples of animals in each category. In the overlapping section, they can brainstorm animals that are both cute and potentially dangerous, like hedgehogs, sea otters, or tarsiers. Have kids identify definitions of predator, venomous, nocturnal and poisonous. Let kids talk about any encounters they may have had with animals that may be dangerous, but cute! Click here!
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