February 2024

Valensteins (A Love Story)

Author: Ethan Long

Illustrator: Ethan Long

Summary: Valentine's Day is almost here and Fran wants to share his feelings with his friend (who is nameless) and all the other monsters in the house are curious and teasing. Fran becomes frustrated and stomps out of the house. Will he be able to share his valentine?

Recommended Ages: 4-8 years

Themes, Skills, & Concepts: A funny take on a child's perspective of what it means to be in love and share feelings with another person.

Extension Activities: After reading this book, take the opportunity to have your kids create their own valentine for someone special. Many great discussions about "feelings" and "love" are possible, with care and guidance. Click here!

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January 2024

The Three Snow Bears

Author: Jan Brett

Illustrator: Jan Brett

Summary: A cozy retelling of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" set in the Arctic. The three bears are polar bears and the mischievous Aloo-ki is a curious Inuit girl out for a little winter stroll!

Recommended Ages: 2-6 years

Themes, Skills, & Concepts: A fun, beautifully illustrated fractured fairy tale from Jan Brett. Brett spent time meeting the Inuit, learning their culture, studying their clothing, homes and land. The text is full of rich language, some of which may be new and provide great opportunities for learning.

Extension Activities: So many fun activities can be tied to this fun book. There is a great venn diagram activity in the link below. It would be fun to build an igloo using toothpicks and marshmallows, blocks, legos or any kind of building material you have on hand. Click here!

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December 2023

Red & Lulu

Author: Matt Tavares

Illustrator: Matt Tavares

Summary: Red and Lulu, a pair of cardinals, live in a huge, beautiful tree. Each year, that tree is decorated for Christmas and the sounds of the song "O, Christmas Tree" are heard. One day, Red goes looking for food and when he comes back, he sees his tree and his Lulu loaded on a truck. He frantically follows the truck and eventually finds Lulu in Rockefeller Center in New York, but what about his tree?

Recommended Ages: 2-7 years

Themes, Skills, & Concepts: This gorgeously illustrated story is told both in word and by illustrations. Don't flip through them, as they give important clues and details about what is happening to Red and Lulu. Be sure to read the historical information about the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree on the end pages.

Extension Activities: My first thought for activities for this beautiful book was to learn the song "O Christmas Tree". Lots of research opportunities present themselves with this book...learning about cardinals or types of trees used for Christmas time. But how fun to follow the directions and create your own Red and Lulu with watercolors!! Read the following blog for another fun, crafty tribute to Red and Lulu. https://www.gluedtomycraftsblog.com/2018/01/snowy-birdhouse.html Click here!

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November 2023

The Leaf Thief

Author: Alice Hemming

Illustrator: Nicole Slater

Summary: Squirrel loves counting all of the beautiful, colorful leaves in his tree until he discovers that one of his beloved leaves is missing. What a mystery! Squirrel's friend Bird helps him to discover where all of his leaves are going!

Recommended Ages: 4-7 years

Themes, Skills, & Concepts: The Leaf Thief is a fun read aloud, rich in new vocabulary. The author included factual information about the process trees go through when they shed their leaves, providing the opportunity to learn more about the leaf cycle!

Extension Activities: Pair this fun fall book with Lois Ehlert's Leaf Man to further enjoy and reinforce the cycle of falling leaves. Take a walk and gather fallen leaves. What can your child create with those leaves? For more activities, check out the link below for some free printables! Click here!

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October 2023

The Perfect Pumpkin Pie

Author: Denys Cazet

Illustrator: Denys Cazet

Summary: Jack and his Grandma move into a spooky old house and little do they know that Old Man Wilkerson haunts the house looking for the Perfect Pumpkin Pie! Grandma comes up with a perfect pie plan, but is it enough to keep Old Man Wilkerson happy?

Recommended Ages: 4-8 years

Themes, Skills, & Concepts: This is such a fun read aloud book! Be sure to look for rhyming pairs of words and wonderful alliteration! The details in the illustrations will keep any child enthralled!

Extension Activities: This is the perfect book to read and then find a great pie to bake with your child! So much math involved in baking and a fun time with kids! The linked blog is an interesting read, helping to explain the underlying themes in the book: how to handle a bully and a gentle exploration of death. Click here!

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