Skulls!
Author: Blair Thornburgh
Illustrator: Scott Campbell
Summary: This smart, skull-positive story cheerfully dispels any fears kids might have about their skeletons, changing our view of skulls from spooky to a fascinating, cool, and crucial part of our bodies.
Recommended Ages: 4-8 years
Themes, Skills, & Concepts: Use this engaging book to introduce the skeleton system. Students will learn how our eyes, ears, nose and mouth are all supported by our skull.
Extension Activities: After reading the book, have students create their own "I Love My Skull" craft. The craft can include a paper skull that children decorate with cutouts or drawings showing what they love about their skull, such as being a safe place for their brain. You can use the free printable coloring pages provided by the publisher for the craft. Click here!
Runaway Pumpkins
Author: Teresa Bateman
Illustrator: Stephanie Fizer Coleman
Summary: A bumpy road, a faulty storage hatch, and a load of pumpkins! What could possibly happen when the pumpkins all "escape"?
Recommended Ages: 3-7 years
Themes, Skills, & Concepts: The word play and rhyming cadence of this fun book will have kids reading along with you! There are lots of fun and possible new words to learn, as well as opportunities to learn about onomatopoeia!
Extension Activities: Fun and engaging STEM activities with real pumpkins can enhance and support problem solving! Building ramps to control a real pumpkin, devising methods to stop a runaway one, and exploring the science of rolling and sliding. Click on the link to find eight fun and creative pumpkin themed projects! Click here!
I Do Not Eat Children
Author: Marcus Cutler
Illustrator: Marcus Cutler
Summary: A smooth talking Monster claims that he doesn't eat children, even as the kids on the pages slowly start disappearing!
Recommended Ages: 4-8 years
Themes, Skills, & Concepts: Show the kids the cover of the book and ask "would you trust this monster?" This is a great way to start a discussion about honesty!
Extension Activities: Reread the book and assign children to act as "monster detectives." As you turn each page, have them shout out what the monster is doing and count how many children are still left. Have the kids design their own monster with construction paper shapes!
Chika Chika Tricka Treat
Author: Julien Chung
Illustrator: Julien Chung
Summary: Another exciting version of Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom! Chicka Chicka Tricka Treat will have kids laughing and reading along with you! What are those letters up to now?
Recommended Ages: 4-8 years
Themes, Skills, & Concepts: The book is gives a gentle version of spooky things they may come across at Halloween. Letter recognition is key here..the letters go up the tree in alphabetical order in funny costumes!
Extension Activities: Give each child a large cardstock or construction paper letter. Let them give their letter a fun Halloween costume. Decorate your classroom spooky old tree and have the kids retell the story. Click here!
Boop!
Author: Bea Birdsong
Illustrator: Linzie Hunter
Summary: This sweet book invites the reader to boop all the snoots they see. Perfect for dog lovers of all ages. There are so many snoots to boop! Snoots attached to big dogs and little dogs and dogs with beards and those without. All kinds of snoots to boop!
Recommended Ages: 4-8 years
Themes, Skills, & Concepts: This picture book revolves around affection, fun, and the joy of playful engagement. While it is a simple, high-energy book for young children, it also subtly teaches about safety and communication, and always asking before they pet an animal they don't know.
Extension Activities: Go to the link below to find some fun extension activities! Click here!
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