The Emperor’s Egg
Author: Martin Jenkins
Illustrator: Jane Chapman
Summary: The Emperor's Egg tells the amazing true story of male emperor penguins' dedication, focusing on how the father incubates the single egg on his feet for two months in the brutal Antarctic winter without eating, while the mother goes to sea to feed.
Recommended Ages: 4-8 years
Themes, Skills, & Concepts: This beautiful non-fiction book dives into the male Emperor Penguin's two month devotion to the incubation and hatching of his egg, while mom is feeding.
Extension Activities: Copy and paste the link for free, engaging activities for your kiddos to use after reading The Emperor's Egg. https://mrswillskindergarten.com/penguin-activities/ . The link below will take you to a Kid's National Geographic webpage full of Emperor Penguin facts! Click here!
Just One Flake
Author: Travis Jonker
Illustrator: Travis Jonker
Summary: A young boy is determined to catch just one snowflake on his tongue. He tries many different ways to catch that flake, but Mother Nature has other plans!
Recommended Ages: 4-8 years
Themes, Skills, & Concepts: Determination and new learning highlight the theme of this snowy book!
Extension Activities: This funny boy and his quest to catch a snowflake is a perfect segue into learning about the science behind snow. Watch the video about how snow is formed and its' importance to us. Click here!
The Wish Tree
Author: Kyn Maclear
Illustrator: Chris Turnham
Summary: Charles wants to find a wish tree. His brother and sister don't believe there is such a thing, but his trusty companion Boggan is ready to join Charles on a journey to find out where that tree could be found.
Recommended Ages: 3-5 years
Themes, Skills, & Concepts: This book is a tribute to friendship, kindness, and what matters in life. It also touches on determination, bravery and believing in yourself.
Extension Activities: After reading "The Wish Tree" kids can write their wishes for the New Year. Print or have cut out snowflakes for their wishes. Hang their wishes on a tree of some kind in your classroom. Choose the link for another Wish Tree craft! Click here!
Ice! Poems About Polar Life
Author: Douglas Florian
Illustrator: Douglas Florian
Summary: This kid inspired illustrated book of poems touches on all parts of of polar life with factual information included for each poem.
Recommended Ages: 7-10 years
Themes, Skills, & Concepts: Douglas Florian's book of Polar life poems touches on animal adaptation, polar habitats and the issue of climate change.
Extension Activities: For this fun STEM activity, give students blocks, cotton balls, Legos or whatever fun blocks you have on hand. Kids can work together to make a cave for a mother polar bear and her babies. Have kids follow along with Rob from Art Hub for kids to draw a comic polar bear. Have kids add fun habitat details to their drawings. Click here!
A Loud Winter's Nap
Author: Katy Hudson
Illustrator: Katy Hudson
Summary: Tortoise just wants to sleep through the cold, snowy winter. As he snuggles down in his cozy bed, his friends have other ideas! They want their friend to enjoy winter with them. Will Tortoise get to have his nap or give in to his friends?
Recommended Ages: 3-7 years
Themes, Skills, & Concepts: A Loud Winter's Nap gently and humorously touches on the themes of friendship, grumpiness, learning and trying new experiences and developing a growth mindset.
Extension Activities: Have students learn more about animal hibernation. Use your online databases or go to the library to research animals that do hibernate. Students can design a sleep mask to help Tortoise sleep or they can make a list of items that they would want to pack in a "hibernation suitcase". Choose the link below to learn more about tortoise's hibernation. Click here!
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