Category: Reading Activities

Educational Activities: Watch Out for the Lion! by Brooke Hartman

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Watch Out for the Lion!
Author: Brooke Hartman
Illustrator: Anna Süßbauer
7 February 2023
Page Street Kids
32 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “Readers beware—there’s a ferocious lion in this book! The book warns that it has seen the lion already. First its bristly tail, then clashing claws, twitchy ears, fearsome fangs… and it’s lying in wait to turn any unsuspecting passerby into a child cheeseburger or rugrat ravioli.

But does a brushy tail always belong to a lion? When you touch the curvy claws, will they be attached to a paw? You never really know what might be lurking around the corner in this surprising story that challenges readers to face their darkest fears, and maybe even laugh about them.”

Educational Activities inspired by Watch Out for the Lion!:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • What do you think this book will be about?
    • Where and when is this story taking place?
    • How do you think this story is going to end?
    • Who do you think the main character is? What do you think they might be like?
    • What are you looking forward to learning or discovering in the book?
    • Have you read any other books by the same author or illustrator? If so, what did you like about them?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • Despite all the warnings about the lion, did you ever feel as if you should stop reading? Why/​why not?
    • Which of the creatures that wasn’t a lion were you most surprised to find in this book?
    • What did you think of the book’s ending?
    • What do you think is the message of the story?
    • Which picture did you like the most? Why?
    • Did you enjoy this book? Why/​why not?
  • Drawing–Much of the fun of this book comes from seeing how part of an animal looks like it could be part of a lion. What other animals could be mistaken for a lion because of their teeth, fur, claws, or other features? (Maybe a snake, elephant, eagle, or hippo?) Use colored pencils, crayons, or markers to show how one or more of these animals might just look like a lion. Consider sharing your work with a friend or family member.
  • Crafting–Lions are awesome, so let’s create some of our own by crafting. Get an adult to help! 
  • Further Reading–Lions are pretty cool, so let’s check out other picture books about these mighty, ferocious animals. Which of these have you already read? Which of the others would you want to read first? (Click on any book cover for more information on these titles!)

Educational Activities: A Good Deed Can Grow by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

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A Good Deed Can Grow
Author: Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
Illustrator: Holly Hatam
7 February 2023
Christy Ottaviano Books
32 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “Discover the ripple effects of doing a good deed in this interactive picture book about the importance of kindness. 

A good deed can grow like a seed.… 

Join a loving community as they work to create a better world. Whether planting a garden or visiting a sick friend, picking up litter or playing music at the senior center, kind actions—no matter how big or small—can spread like a ripple, impacting the lives of others for the better.

Jennifer Chambliss Bertman’s inspiring text and Holly Hatam’s joyful illustrations celebrate how anyone, young or old, can make a difference. It all starts with a good deed.”

Educational Activities inspired by A Good Deed Can Grow:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • What does the phrase “good deeds” make you think of?
    • How might a good deed grow?
    • What do you notice about the children on the front cover? On the back cover?
    • What questions would you like to ask the author before you read the book?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • Which idea pleased you most–that a good deed could be a seed, a ripple, a sunbeam, or a smile?
    • Have you ever felt too small to help a problem that seems so big? What could you do about that problem?
    • How did reading the book change you (or your viewpoint)?
    • What did you think of the book’s ending?
    • Which picture did you like the most? Why?
    • Did you enjoy this book? Why/​why not?
  • Taking Action–Since good deeds can have a positive effect in the lives of others, let’s look at what YOU might do. Consider doing any of the following (with an adult partner): 
    • planting a garden
    • visiting a sick friend
    • picking up litter
    • playing music or singing at a senior center
  • Crafting–I really like the community garden in this book–isn’t the art terrific? With that in mind, let’s enjoy making our own fun crafts about gardens! 
  • Further Reading–Learn more about by good deeds and kindness from these related books. Which of these have you already read? Which of the others would you want to read first? (Click on any book cover for more information on these titles!)

 

Educational Activities: Giant Island by Jane Yolen

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Giant Island
Author: Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Doug Keith
1 August 2022
Flashlight Press
32 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “Two children and a dog explore the coves and caves of a tiny island. Under the watchful eye of Grandpa, the kids are thrilled to discover a huge surprise: the craggy rocks, tufted grass, and wind-​swept trees on Giant Island are much more than they seem.

Visit Giant Island, where fantastical adventures await.”

Need some reviews on Giant Island?

As a bonus, enjoy this interview at Tara Lazar’s website with author Jane Yolen about Giant Island.

Educational Activities inspired by Giant Island:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • What do you think of when you think about the giants? About islands?
    • Where and when does this story seem to take place?
    • What kind of animals lived on and around Giant Island?
    • What questions would you like to ask the author before you read the book?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • Were you surprised by the size of the island?
    • What other secrets and surprises did the island hold for Ava and Cooper?
    • Why did Grandpa call the island “old friend”?
    • What did you think of the book’s ending?
    • Which picture did you like the most? Why?
    • Did you like this book? Why/​why not?
  • Drawing–Since an island might be an island, what else might be a giant, too? A cloud? A hill? A tree? Use colored pencils, crayons, or markers to create your own giant something. Consider sharing your work with a friend or family member.
  • Crafting–Since the island plays such a big role in this story, let’s enjoy some crafts based on islands as well as the things/​creatures on and around them! 
  • Further Reading–Learn more about by giants these related books. Which of these have you already read? Which of the others would you want to read first? (Click on any book cover for more information on these titles!)

 

 

Educational Activities: Mending the Moon by Emma Pearl

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Mending the Moon
Author: Emma Pearl
Illustrator: Sara Ugolotti
1 November 2022
Page Street Publishing
32 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “One fateful night, the moon shines so big and so bright that it is too heavy to hold itself up in the sky. When it tumbles down and breaks into many glimmering pieces, Luna sees the whole thing. Her grandfather Poppa warns that without the moon in the sky, the oceans will stop moving and the earth will start to wobble. Luna and Poppa must mend it, but they may not be able to do it all on their own.

The mountain is alive with creatures big and small whose watchful eyes also saw the moon fall. Together, can they find all the shards, stick them together, and get the moon safely back into the sky?

In this enchanting tale with a timeless, folklore feel, a girl, her grandfather, and all the animals of the mountain hold the power to set the world right and forever leave their mark on the moon.”

Need some reviews on Mending the Moon?

Educational Activities inspired by Mending the Moon:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • What do you think of when you think about the moon?
    • What’s different about the moon on the front and back cover?
    • Where and when does this story seem to take place?
    • What does it mean to “mend” something?
    • What questions would you like to ask the author before you read the book?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • What do you think caused the moon to shatter?
    • “The moon is more important than you can imagine,” says Poppa. Why?
    • The child’s name is “Luna.” Why might that be an especially appropriate name?
    • What did you think of the book’s ending?
    • Have you ever seen moon smudges before?
    • Which picture did you like the most? Why?
    • Did you like this book? Why/​why not?
  • Drawing–How do you like the illustrations of the moon? Does it look like what YOU think the moon looks like? Use colored pencils, crayons, or markers to create your own moon art for this story or simply to be art all on its own. Is the moon broken or whole in your art? Does it have smudges or not? Consider sharing your work with a friend or family member.
  • Crafting–Since the moon plays such a big role in this story, let’s enjoy some moon crafts! (For those of you who enjoyed last month’s moon-​themed crafts, these are all new ones!) 
  • Further Reading–Learn more about the moon by reading these related books. Which of these have you already read? Which of the others would you want to read first? (Click on any book cover for more information on these titles!)

Educational Activities: Fonchito and the Moon by Mario Vargas Llosa

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Fonchito and the Moon
Author: Mario Vargas Llosa
Illustrator: Marta Chicote Juiz
18 October 2022
Kales Press
32 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “Fonchito falls in love for the very first time and discovers that there is nothing one cannot do for a loved one, even if what they wish for is the moon!”

Need some reviews on Fonchito and the Moon?

Educational Activities inspired by Fonchito and the Moon:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • What do you think of when you think about the moon?
    • What’s happening on the front cover?
    • What’s interesting about the back cover?
    • Where and when does this story seem to take place?
    • What questions would you like to ask the author before you read the book?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • How did you react when Nereida said she’d only let Fonchito kiss her on the cheek if he got the moon and gave it to her?
    • What other ways can you think of that Fonchito could get the moon for her?
    • Do you think Nereida really wanted him to kiss her?
    • Which picture did you like the most? Why?
    • What did you think of the book’s ending?
    • Did you like this book? Why/​why not?
  • Drawing–How do you like the illustrations of the moon? Does it look like what YOU think the moon looks like? Use colored pencils, crayons, or markers to create your own moon art for this story or simply to be art all on its own. Consider sharing your work with a friend or family member.
  • Crafting–Since the moon plays such a big role in this story, let’s enjoy some moon crafts! 
  • Further Reading–Learn more about the moon by reading these related books. Which of these have you already read? Which of the others would you want to read first? (Click on any book cover for more information on these titles!)

Educational Activities: Super Pizza & Kid Kale by Phaea Crede

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Super Pizza & Kid Kale
Author: Phaea Crede
Illustrator: Zach Smith
27 September 2022
Viking Books for Young Readers
40 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “With great flavor, comes great responsibility.

Super Pizza and Kid Kale have been delicious do-​gooders and the best of friends since the day they came aleaf in the oven of the Baker Elementary cafeteria. But as they heroically foil one dastardly deed after another, Super Pizza’s popularity begins to go to their crust, and it leaves their veggie pal feeling rotten. The growing frustration that begins to drive a wedge in their friendship is now threatening to take the students of the school down with them! It’ll be up to Super Pizza and Kid Kale to patch things up so that they can get back to being the heroes that these kids knead.

For fans of Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast comes a hilarious and punny new picture book about navigating the ups and downs of friendship and the unintended consequences that actions can have on others, starring the Batman and Robin of food.”

Educational Activities inspired by Super Pizza & Kid Kale:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • What do you think about pizza?
    • What do you think about kale?
    • Where and when do you think this story takes place?
    • What differences do you see between the two superheroes on the front cover and the back cover?
    • What questions would you like to ask the author before you read the book?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • How did you react when Kid Kale got upset about being ignored and undervalued?
    • Super Pizza & Kid Kale has a graphic novel/​comic illustration style. Why do you think the artist chose this style for this story?
    • Which of the pictures did you enjoy the most?
    • The book is full of puns (jokes that come from possible different meanings of a word, or words that have multiple meanings). Which were your favorites?
    • Did you like this book? Why/​why not?
  • Writing–The origin story of these unusual superheroes is a “freak cafeteria accident” on page one. What other school-​based superheroes might emerge from a different freak accident? Write one of those origin stories, and if you want, write one of their adventures, too. Use colored pencils, crayons, or markers to create your own story art, whether it’s comic-​style like Super Pizza & Kid Kale or something else entirely. Consider sharing your school superhero story with a friend or family member.
  • Crafting–Who knew there were so many kid crafts about pizza! OPB did, and here are a few of our favorites: 
  • Further Reading–Which of these books about pizza have you already read? Which of the others would you want to read first? (Click on any book cover for more information on these titles!)