Category: Reading Activities

Reading Activities: Home in a Lunchbox by Cherry Mo

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Home in a Lunchbox
Author: Cherry Mo
Illustrator: Cherry Mo
11 June 2024
Penguin Workshop
40 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “Cherry Mo’s stunning debut is about a young girl who immigrates to America and finds home in an unexpected place.

When Jun moves from Hong Kong to America, the only words she knows are hello, thank you, I don’t know, and toilet. Her new school feels foreign and terrifying.

But when she opens her lunchbox to find her favorite meals—like bao, dumplings, and bok choy—she realizes home isn’t so far away after all.

Through lush art and spare dialogue, Cherry Mo’s breathtakingly beautiful debut picture book reminds readers that friendship and belonging can be found in every bite.”

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Reading Activities inspired by Home in a Lunchbox:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front cover: 
    • What do you notice first on the cover?
    • What do the lunchbox, food, and classroom details make you wonder about the story?
    • How does the girl on the cover seem to feel? What clues show that?
    • Why do you think the title says home can be “in” a lunchbox?
    • Where do you think the girl is? What clues help you know?
    • What questions would you like to ask the author-​illustrator before reading the book?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • Why does Jun feel unsure at her new school?
    • How does the lunchbox help Jun feel connected to home?
    • What do the illustrations show us that the words don’t explain?
    • Where do you see Jun beginning to feel less alone?
    • How does food help people share parts of who they are?
    • What does this book suggest about friendship?
    • Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
  • Four Words, Big World: Jun begins school with only a few English words she knows how to use. Imagine arriving somewhere new where most people don’t speak your language. What four words or phrases would you most want to know first? Write them down, then explain why each one would matter.
  • Lunchbox Memory Map: Choose one food that reminds you of home or someone you love. Instead of just naming the food, make a memory map around it. What does it smell like? Who makes it? Where do you usually eat it? What does it make you remember?
  • A Page with Few Words: This book uses spare dialogue, which means the pictures have to do a lot of storytelling. Choose one spread and study it carefully. What can you understand just by studying the picture? Write three things the art tells you without needing many words.
  • The First-​Day Feeling: Jun’s new school feels confusing and unfamiliar at first. Think about a time when you were new somewhere, or imagine what that might feel like. Make a short list of things that could help someone feel welcome without requiring lots of talking.
  • Share a Bite, Share a Story: Food can be a way to tell someone where you come from, who loves you, or what feels comforting. Choose one food you would share with a new friend. Write a few lines about why you picked it and what you’d want that friend to understand about it.
  • Books, Books, and More Books!: Check out these picture books about food, family, and finding where you belong:

Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao by Kat Zhang, illustrated by Charlene Chua
Amy wants to make bao just like everyone else in her family, but getting them exactly right takes practice.

Bilal Cooks Daal by Aisha Saeed, illustrated by Anoosha Syed
Bilal shares one of his favorite foods with friends, even though daal takes patience.

Drawn Together by Minh Lê, illustrated by Dan Santat
A boy and his grandfather struggle to communicate with words, then discover another way to understand each other.

Luli and the Language of Tea by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Hyewon Yum
Children who speak different languages find common ground through tea.

Watercress by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Jason Chin
A girl feels embarrassed when her family stops to gather watercress, then learns the deeper story behind that food.

Reading Activities: My Block Looks Like by Janelle Harper, illustrated by Frank Morrison

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My Block Looks Like
Author: Janelle Harper
Illustrator: Frank Morrison
2 January 2024
Viking Books for Young Readers
40 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “A love letter to the hustle, the bustle, the joy, and the grit of city life by debut author and Bronx native, Janelle Harper, and two-​time Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award winner, Frank Morrison.

A lyrical and proud picture book that recognizes the beauty of the bodegas, subways, and playgrounds that characterize everyday life in the Bronx and pays homage to the ways that its residents have shaped pop culture through music, visual art, and dance. Perfect for fans of I Am Every Good Thing and Last Stop on Market Street, My Block Looks Like offers kids a reaffirming message to celebrate and uplift their communities in an energetic text that begs to be read aloud.”

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Reading Activities inspired by My Block Looks Like:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front cover: 
    • What do you notice first on the cover?
    • What clues tell you this neighborhood has a lot of movement and energy?
    • What sounds do you imagine hearing on this block?
    • How do the colors make the neighborhood feel?
    • What details on the cover make this block feel like a place people know well?
    • What questions would you like to ask the author or illustrator before reading the book?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • What details make this block feel alive?
    • Which part of the neighborhood would you most want to visit, and why?
    • How do the words and pictures show sound, rhythm, and movement?
    • What ordinary places become special in this book?
    • How does the illustrator show pride, joy, or confidence in the people on the block?
    • What does this book suggest about the connection between place and identity?
    • Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
  • The Beat of the Block: Think about a place you know well and make a “beat list” for it. What do you hear there? Sneakers squeaking? Doors closing? Music playing? Dogs barking? Cars passing? Turn your list into a short chant or read-​aloud poem that begins, “My block sounds like…”
  • A Place with Personality: Choose one place from the book, such as a bodega, subway, playground, sidewalk, street corner, or mural. Then choose one place from your own community. What makes each place feel alive? Write a few lines comparing them.
  • Sidewalk Snapshot: Imagine you could freeze one busy moment from your neighborhood. Who would be there? What would they be doing? What details would make the scene feel real? Create a quick “snapshot” with words, pictures, or both. Try to include at least one tiny background detail someone might miss at first.
  • My Block Looks Like…: Use the book’s title as your starting point. Finish the sentence “My block looks like…” in three different ways. One answer can focus on what you see, one on what you hear, and one on how the place makes you feel. Push past easy answers and look for the specific details that make your place yours.
  • Neighborhood Pride Postcard: Create a postcard from your block, street, town, or favorite local place. On the front, show one image that captures the spirit of the place. On the back, write a short message to someone who has never been there before. What would you want them to notice first?
  • Books, Books, and More Books!: Check out these picture books about neighborhoods and noticing the places that shape us:

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson
A boy and his grandmother ride a bus across the city, and the trip shifts how he sees the world around him.

Maybe Something Beautiful by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell, illustrated by Rafael López
A girl shares her art with her neighborhood, and this small creative act turns into something so much bigger.

My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero, illustrated by Zeke Peña
A girl rides through her neighborhood with her father, taking in the people, places, smells, and sounds that make it home.

Uptown by Bryan Collier
A boy celebrates Harlem through brownstones, barbershops, music, food, art, and neighborhood landmarks.

The World Belonged to Us by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Leo Espinosa
A summer city book about the freedom, noise, and joy of kids playing outside.

Reading Activities: How to Say Hello to a Worm by Kari Percival

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How to Say Hello to a Worm: A First Guide to Outside
Author: Kari Percival
Illustrator: Kari Percival
22 February 2022
Rise x Penguin Workshop
40 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “Say hello to worms, dirt, peas, and more in this gentle how-​to guide for connecting with nature.

The beautiful simplicity of a garden is depicted through digital woodcut illustrations and engaging nonfiction text presented as a series of sweet questions and gentle replies. Less of a traditional how-​to and more of a how-​to-​appreciate, this soothingly sparse text paints an inviting and accessible picture of what a garden offers. And with an all-​child cast, the absence of an adult presence empowers readers to view the garden and its creatures through their own eyes, driven by curiosity and wonder.

This delightful book embodies the magic of gardening and encourages all readers, from those who LOVE the outdoors to those with hesitation, to interact with nature at their own, comfortable pace.”

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Reading Activities inspired by How to Say Hello to a Worm:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front cover: 
    • What do you notice first on the cover?
    • What kind of mood does this garden seem to have?
    • Why do you think the title says “say hello” instead of “find” or “catch”?
    • What clues suggest this book will be about more than just worms?
    • If you could step into this garden right now, what would you want to look at first?
    • What questions would you like to ask the author-​illustrator before reading the book?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • What does this book suggest about how to behave outside?
    • Which living thing in the garden felt most important in the book, and why?
    • What small moments in the story show that noticing can be just as interesting as doing?
    • How do the illustrations help the garden feel full of movement and life?
    • What parts of gardening in this book look easy, and what parts require patience?
    • What did this book make you want to notice, plant, or protect?
    • Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
  • Garden Manners for Tiny Neighbors: Make a mini guide called How to Be a Good Garden Neighbor. Include three or four tips for meeting worms, ladybugs, bees, seedlings, or birds in a way that is gentle, curious, and respectful.
  • Life Below the Lettuce: In the story, so much is happening above the soil and underneath it at the same time. Draw the garden from underground instead of above ground. What would a worm notice first: roots, pebbles, tunnels, moisture, or footsteps overhead? Add labels or short notes so your drawing becomes a little map of the hidden world.
  • Pat, Poke, Sprinkle: This book pays close attention to simple garden actions like patting soil, poking holes for seeds, sprinkling water, waiting, and watching. Pick three garden action words and write a sentence for each that helps a reader feel that movement in their hands.
  • Hello, Little One: Choose one garden creature or plant from the book and make it a greeting card that begins, “Hello, _​_​_​_​_​.” Inside, write two or three lines explaining why that living thing matters and how you would treat it kindly if you met it outside.
  • Come Back Tomorrow: Gardens change slowly, which makes them perfect for repeat visitors. Fold a page into four boxes and imagine returning to the same garden over time: just planted, first sprouts, growing taller, ready to harvest. Draw what changes in each box and add one sentence about what surprised you.
  • Books, Books, and More Books!: Check out these picture books about gardens, outdoor noticing, and the little wonders living all around us:

The Curious Garden by Peter Brown
A boy notices one struggling patch of green and starts caring for it, little by little, until much bigger things begin to change.

The Hike by Alison Farrell
Three kids head out on a hike and pay attention to absolutely everything.

A Seed Is Sleepy by Dianna Hutts Aston, illustrated by Sylvia Long
This one turns seeds into something quietly astonishing and invites readers to look closer than they usually do.

Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
This is a terrific companion because it shows the garden as two worlds at once: the visible one above and the bustling one below.

Wonder Walkers by Micha Archer
Two children head outside and ask the kind of big, surprising questions that only happen when people are really paying attention.

Reading Activities: Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins

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Mother Bruce
Author: Ryan T. Higgins
Illustrator: Ryan T. Higgins
24 November 2015
Disney Hyperion
48 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “Bruce the bear likes to keep to himself. That, and eat eggs. But when his hard-​boiled goose eggs turn out to be real, live goslings, he starts to lose his appetite. And even worse, the goslings are convinced he’s their mother. Bruce tries to get the geese to go south, but he can’t seem to rid himself of his new companions. What’s a bear to do?”

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Reading Activities inspired by Mother Bruce:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front cover: 
    • What animals do you see on the cover? What do you think their relationship might be?
    • Look closely at Bruce the bear. What clues in the illustration suggest what kind of personality he might have?
    • What do you think this story might be about just from the title Mother Bruce?
    • If a bear became a mother to baby animals, how do you think that might happen?
    • What do you think Bruce likes or dislikes based on the cover illustration?
    • Do you think Bruce will enjoy taking care of baby animals? Why or why not?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • Why do the goslings think Bruce is their mother?
    • How does Bruce feel about the goslings at the beginning of the story? Do his feelings change over time?
    • Which part of the story was the funniest to you?
    • What problems does Bruce face once the goslings decide he’s their mother? What does he try to do about them?
    • How do the illustrations show Bruce’s emotions throughout the story?
    • What do you think the story is trying to say about families?
    • Would you recommend this book a friend? Why or why not?
  • Bruce’s Very Bad Day: Bruce is not thrilled about becoming a mother. Make a list of the top five things that would ruin Bruce’s perfect day. Then add one thing the goslings do that accidentally makes his day better, even if he’d never admit it.

  • Family, But Make It Weird: The book shows that families don’t always come together in expected ways. Think of another totally unlikely family combination and write a few lines about how they live, eat, travel, or solve problems together. The fun here is figuring out what makes them different—and what still makes them a family.

  • Grumpy Bear Emotions Chart: Look back through the book and find three moments where Bruce’s feelings are easy to see in the illustrations. Name the specific emotion Bruce might be feeling in those moments. Then think about a time when you felt one of those emotions. What helped you feel better?

  • Books, Books, and More Books!: Check out these picture books about unusual families, animal adventures, and a little bit of grumpiness.

Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman
One baby bird searches everywhere for its mother in this classic story about family/​belonging.

Duck, Duck, Moose by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
When a moose insists on joining a flock of ducks, readers get a silly adventure about belonging.

Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein
A little chicken keeps interrupting bedtime stories in this funny tale about storytelling and family. (Yes, it’s not about an unusual animal family, but hey, it’s a fun book regardless. )

Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang
This monkey insists he isn’t grumpy, even though everyone else can clearly see that he is having a bad day.

Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev
A boy and his elephant start a club for pets that feel left out.

Reading Activities: Every Dreaming Creature by Brendan Wenzel

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Every Dreaming Creature
Author: Brendan Wenzel
Illustrator: Brendan Wenzel
26 September 2023
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
40 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “Perfect for bedtime or at any time, here is a visually stunning exploration of animal senses through dreams, from Caldecott Honoree and New York Times bestselling creator Brendan Wenzel.

Welcome to a magical world of endless curiosity. You are a sleeping salamander. A dancing octopus. A speeding falcon…even a sneaking tiger and playful human child. As one dream slips into another, every page turn immerses you in the sensory wonder of the world and all its creatures, from the ocean depths to soaring skies, and everything in between. Each creature dreams and experiences life in a different way. Each is connected despite their differences.

Poetic and universal in its gentle message of interconnectedness, Every Dreaming Creature yields deeper meaning with every read, offering new discoveries hidden within the acclaimed artist Brendan Wenzel’s dazzling, vibrant artwork.”

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Reading Activities inspired by Every Dreaming Creature:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front cover: 
    • What animals do you notice on the cover?
    • How do the colors and shapes make the cover feel—peaceful, mysterious, energetic, or something else?
    • What clues tell you the story might involve dreams or imagination?
    • What kinds of things do you think animals might dream about?
    • Why do you think the title says every dreaming creature instead of naming just one animal?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • Which animal dream felt the most vivid or exciting to you? Why?
    • What senses show up in the different dreams (sound, touch, movement, smell)?
    • How does the story change when we discover who the dreamer really is?
    • Which page made you slow down and look closely at the illustrations? What did you notice?
    • Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
  • Dream Inside an Animal’s World: Choose one animal from the book. Imagine you’re dreaming as that animal.

    *What would the world feel like?
    *Would it be quiet or noisy?
    *Slow or fast?
    *Bright or dark?

    Draw a picture of your dream and write two or three sentences describing what the animal experiences.

  • Three Animals, Three Dreams: In the story, the dreamer becomes many different animals. Think of three animals you would like to dream about. For each one, finish this sentence:

    In my dream I was a _​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​ and the world felt _​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​.

    Try to describe the world the way the book does (through movement, sound, and feeling).

  • Step into an Animal’s Senses: Animals notice parts of the world that humans often miss. Choose one animal from the book and imagine how it experiences its surroundings. What sounds, textures, smells, and movements might stand out to that creature?

    Write or draw three things that animal might notice that a person might overlook. Think carefully about how your chosen animal senses the world, then record your observations.

  • Map a Nighttime Habitat: Many animals in the book sleep in very different environments such as forests, oceans, trees, or underground burrows. Choose one animal from the story and draw a simple nighttime habitat map showing where that animal rests. Include details that help the animal feel safe and comfortable while sleeping, such as trees, water, rocks, moonlight, or other creatures that live nearby.
  • Books, Books, and More Books!: Check out these picture books that explore dreams, imagination, and nighttime worlds:

Dream Animals by Emily Winfield Martin
A nighttime adventure where animals carry sleeping children through magical skies.

Little Owl’s Night by Divya Srinivasan
A young owl explores the forest while the rest of the world sleeps.

 

The Night Walk by Marie Dorléans
An early-morning walk through a sleeping town filled with lovely nighttime details.

Sweet DreamersSweet Dreamers by Isabelle Simler
A lyrical bedtime picture book that explores how different animals settle in for sleep, from bats hanging upside down to whales drifting through the ocean.

While You Are Sleeping by Mariana Ruiz Johnson
As a child sleeps, the world continues its quiet nighttime rhythms outside.

Reading Activities: A Walk in the Words by Hudson Talbott

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A Walk in the Words
Author: Hudson Talbott
Illustrator: Hudson Talbott
14 September 2021
Nancy Paulsen Books
32 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “When Hudson Talbott was a little boy, he loved drawing, and it came naturally to him. But reading? No way! One at a time, words weren’t a problem, but long sentences were a struggle. As his friends moved on to thicker books, he kept his slow reading a secret. But that got harder every year. He felt alone, lost, and afraid in a world of too many words.

Fortunately, his love of stories wouldn’t let him give up. He started giving himself permission to read at his own pace, using the words he knew as stepping-​stones to help draw him into a story. And he found he wasn’t so alone–in fact, lots of brilliant people were slow readers, too. Learning to accept the fact that everyone does things in their own unique way, and that was okay, freed him up and ultimately helped Hudson thrive and become the fabulous storyteller he is today.”

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Reading Activities inspired by A Walk in the Words:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front cover: 
    • What are you most curious about before opening the book?
    • Why do you think there are so many words on the tree branches?
    • What might it mean to “walk” in words instead of read them?
    • The character looks small compared to the words. How does that size difference make you feel?
    • This book is written and illustrated by the same person. What might that tell you about the story you’re about to hear?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • At the beginning, what feels safe for the narrator, and what feels threatening?
    • When the narrator feels stuck, what specific choice helps him move forward?
    • The book uses pictures to show feelings like fear and feeling overwhelmed. Which image stayed with you the most, and why?
    • Where do you see the shift from fear to curiosity? What changes right before that moment?
    • What does this book suggest about reading slowly—or doing anything at your own pace?
    • Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
  • Wall of Words Snapshot:
    In the story, a full page of text feels like a wall keeping him out. Draw your own “wall of words” on one side of a page. On the other side, draw what helps you get through a hard moment: a person, a tool, a habit, a thought. Add labels if you want!
  • Break a Big Word:
    The narrator takes “overwhelm” and makes it smaller by breaking it apart. Let’s do something similar! Choose one big feeling word and play with it. 
    • Write your word in BIG letters across the page.
    • Circle a part you know.
    • Underline the part that makes the word feel intimidating or too big.
    • Rewrite the word in a way that feels more your size.
    • Then write one sentence that begins: “I can handle this by…”
  • Stepping-​Stone Reading:
    Pick a short paragraph from any book. On a separate sheet of paper, write down the words you recognize instantly as you read. Those are your stepping stones. 
    • Read just those words in order to see what you can understand about the paragraph.
    • Then read the full paragraph at your own pace.
    • What felt different the second time? What helped you move forward?
  • Fear vs. Curiosity Tug-​of-​War:
    Draw a line down the middle of a page. Title one side Fear and the other Curiosity. 
    • On the Fear side, list what fear says about reading or learning.
    • On the Curiosity side, list what curiosity says.
    • Circle the one curiosity thought that feels strongest. Keep it as a “bookmark sentence” you can return to.
  • Paint with Words:
    The narrator says learning words is like finding new colors for art. Choose one scene you love (a storm, a birthday, a soccer game, a quiet night). Write two versions:
    Version 1 uses only simple words.
    Version 2 adds five “new colors,” more specific words, stronger verbs, sharper sensory details.
    Compare the two. Which version feels more alive to you, and why?
  • Books, Books, and More Books!: Check out these picture books about learning differences, self-​trust, and finding your way with words:

Aaron Slater, Illustrator by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
Aaron struggles with reading, but drawing is where his ideas come alive.

I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott, illustrated by Sydney Smith
A boy describes what it feels like to stutter, using metaphor instead of explanation.

Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor, illustrated by Rafael López
Kids speak directly about their bodies, brains, and needs in a relatable way.

Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
A girl carries deep shame about reading until one teacher finally sees what’s going on.

The Word Collector by Peter H. Reynolds
Jerome loves gathering words and noticing how they sound and feel.