February 2025 Book Talk
Author: Anne Marie Pace
Illustrator: Christopher Denise
Summary: Moose is having a party and wants all his animal friends to come. There is just one problem: The party is on February 2 and if he sees his shadow, Groundhog will go back to his home. How can they fix that problem so Groundhog will come to the party?
Recommended Ages: 2-8 years
Themes, Skills, & Concepts: The animals all have different ideas about the ways they can help Groundhog be able to come to the party, but their bickering gets in the way of helping. How can we help our friends when we can't agree on the type of help?
Extension Activities: Pair this book with "GroundHog Day" by Gail Gibbons. Have the kids show learning by comparing fact with fiction. Have fun drawing a groundhog with our friend Rob and let the kids decide if their groundhog will show real attributes of a groundhog and its environment, or the fictional groundhog in "Groundhug Day". Click here!
Groundhog Day!
Author: Gail Gibbons
Illustrator: Gail Gibbons
Summary: This updated version of Gail Gibbons' Groundhog Day is jammed packed with readable, interesting and informative facts about how this odd holiday started.
Recommended Ages: 3-6 years
Themes, Skills, & Concepts: This books is great for a whole class read aloud, stopping to have discussions and questions about the history of Groundhog's Day.
Extension Activities: Take a look at the following guide for some fun activities to celebrate and learn about Groundhog's Day. Be sure to check out other animal weather predictors! A quick google search will bring up so many examples of animal weather predictions. Click here!
Roses are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink
Author: Diane De Groat
Illustrator: Diane De Groat
Summary: Gilbert the Opossum has a problem. He has to write a Valentine's message to each of his classmates and there are two of his friends that have not been very nice to Gilbert! What should Gilbert do?
Recommended Ages: 4-8 years
Themes, Skills, & Concepts: This book focuses on how to treat our friends who may have done something to hurt our feelings and how we should react. It would be perfect for role playing actions and consequences to reactions or pay back.
Extension Activities: Diane De Groat shares some fun activities in all disciplines for all ages. Learn to write a cinquain, graph candy hearts and write some fun valentines for your friends! Check the link below to find those and more! Click here!
Parts of a Heart (How to Build a Human Body)
Author: Kirsty Holmes
Illustrator: Kirsty Holmes
Summary: Part of the "How to Build a Human Body" series, this super interesting and informative book will teach your kids so much about their heart, its' function, and the different components that make up this important muscle.
Recommended Ages: 7-10 years
Themes, Skills, & Concepts: Kirsty Holmes, the author of this non-fiction series, packs so many fantastic text features that are fun and interesting for kids. Not only interesting, but kids will want to read and learn about their heart!
Extension Activities: Have kids watch the short video demonstration on building a human heart and then give them the supplies to make their own! Click here!
If You Were my Valentine
Author: Lynne Plourde
Illustrator: Jennifer L. Meyer
Summary: This precious book features different animal parents sharing the depth of love that they have for their babies.
Recommended Ages: 4-8 years
Themes, Skills, & Concepts: A great place to help children understand how love (not romantic) transfers to helping and caring for others.
Extension Activities: This sweet Valentine book is the best jumping off point for writing a class book that follows the same pattern. You could also have each child create a book as a Valentine to a parent or loved person. For older kids, have them identify the verbs in each sentence...and some of them are passive verbs so a little harder to find!
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