Tag: Reading Activities

Educational Activities: Feast of Peas by Kashmira Sheth

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Feast of Peas
Author: Kashmira Sheth
Illustrator: Jeffrey Ebbeler
Peachtree Publishing Company
1 March 2020
32 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “Hard-​working Jiva might not be the only one anticipating a delicious feast of peas from his garden. Every morning, Jiva works in his garden until the sun turns as red as a bride’s sari. He plants peas and beans, potatoes and tomatoes, eggplants and okra in his vegetable patch. When his friend Ruvji admires his plants, Jiva sings,

Plump peas, sweet peas,
Lined- up-​in-​the-​shell peas.
Peas to munch, peas to crunch
A feast of peas for lunch.

But each time Jiva is ready to pick the peas for his feast, they’re already gone. What has happened?”

Need some reviews of Feast of Peas?

Educational Activities inspired by Kashmira Sheth’s Feast of Peas:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • Where does this story seem to take place?
    • What do you think this book will be about?
    • Why are they having a feast?
    • What feast foods do you recognize?
    • What do you think of when you think of peas?
    • If you could ask the author any question before you read the book, what would it be?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the book: 
    • Who was the ghost? Who was the scarecrow? At what point in the story did you figure those things out?
    • Why do you think Ruvji took the peas?
    • How much did you enjoy the repeating song lyrics?
    • Which of the pictures did you appreciate the most? Why?
    • What other story does Feast of Peas remind you of?
  • Writing–The main story of Feast of Peas is the mystery of Jiva’s disappearing peas. Has anything of yours ever disappeared under mysterious circumstances? Write a story about it that offers an explanation–silly, serious, or something else entirely. (If you’ve never had something disappear in this way, make up that part of the story, as well.) Perhaps, too: 
    • Add your own artwork by using crayons, markers, or colored pencils? Or clipping images from a newspaper/​magazine, and gluing those to a printed-​out copy of your story?
    • Enlist friends or family members to act out the events in your story, with each person taking on a single role. Costumes and funny voices might be worth trying, too!
  • Recipes–With an adult’s help, try the following fun-​to-​make and fun-​to-​eat recipes: 
  • Further Reading–Which of these other picture books about food have you read? (Click on the book cover for more information on any of these titles!)

Educational Activities: Papa Brings Me the World by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw

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Papa Brings Me the World
Author: Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw
Illustrator: Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw
5 May 2020
Christy Ottaviano Books
40 pages

With Father’s Day just around the corner, this book about a cool dad (and his equally cool daughter) seemed like an especially good choice to feature in this month’s Education Activities.

Book description from Goodreads: “Most parents drive a car or ride a bus or train to work—but not Lulu’s papa. He navigates mountains, deserts, and oceans, each time returning home with pockets full of treasures. There’s an ancient calculator from China, a musical mbira from Zimbabwe, and a special game from Sumatra. But the best treasures are special stories Papa tells when he comes home—tales of playing peekaboo with rare birds in the Andes and befriending dragons in the Irish Sea.”

Need some reviews of Papa Brings Me the World?

And here’s a cool GIF of the cover from the publisher!

Educational Activities inspired by Jenny Sue Kostecki-​Shaw’s Papa Brings Me the World:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • Where and when does this story seem to take place?
    • How might Papa “bring me the world”?
    • What type of book are they looking at on the front cover?
    • What is the child and her cat making on the back cover?
    • If you could ask the author any one question before you read the book, what would it be?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • What do you see as Lulu’s main problem/​challenge in this story?
    • What were the most important events in the story?
    • What is the main message of this book?
    • What other story does Papa Brings Me the World remind you of?
    • What seems like the most exciting part of Lulu’s Papa’s job (being a photojournalist)?
    • Which of the stories/​things that Papa brings her do you find most interesting? How people of Cameroon once bartered with potato mashers? The musical mbira from Zimbabwe? The ancient calculator from China? Something else?
  • Writing–Now that Lulu has her own travel journal and is exploring the world, where do you imagine she’ll go? And what will she see/​do? Write down a few of her adventures in as much detail as you choose. 
    • What does she see/​smell/​taste/​touch?
    • What are her favorite moments?
    • What treasures will she bring back?
    • Feel free to draw pictures to accompany your story.
    • Perhaps share your results with a friend or adult?
  • Activities–Try some of the following dad-​themed crafts. Any of these would make a terrific Father’s Day gift, whether you ask him or another adult for help making it: 
    • Dipped Golf Tees–Make dad the sportiest dad on the links. Paint + golf tees = great gift idea. Spell out words with them (“Love,” “Dad,” “Thanks,” etc.) for added WOW!
    • Fingerprint “Daddy & Me” Mug–Super simple to make and dads everywhere love this kind of present. (Trust me–I’m a dad, too!)
    • Origami Shirt and Tie–This one’s a bit trickier than some because, well, origami. But look at how awesome the results are! And all you need are two pieces of paper.
    • Paper Bag Dad Puppet–Who knew a brown paper lunch bag could be so much fun?
    • Thumbprint Heard Glass Magnets–Wow, these are great. They can easily become necklaces, keychains, or simple keepsakes.
  • Further Reading–Which of these other picture books about papas have you read? (Click on the book cover for more information on any of these titles!)

Educational Activities: Bo the Brave, by Bethan Woollvin

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Bo the Brave
Author: Bethan Woollvin
Illustrator: Bethan Woollvin
Peachtree Publishing
1 April 2020
32 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “A feisty little girl learns who the real monsters are in this brilliantly funny medieval adventure.

Once, there lived a little girl called Bo. Bo wanted to be just like her brothers and capture a fearsome monster. Bo is small, too small to catch a monster–or so her brothers say. But Bo isn’t one to take no for an answer, so she sets off on a quest to catch a monster of her own. Can she defeat the furious griffin, conquer the hideous kraken, and triumph over the monstrous dragon? Or has Bo got the wrong idea who the real monsters are?

Author-​illustrator Bethan Woollvin, the creator of the New York Times Best Illustrated Little Red, employs her signature style in this original fairy tale with a clever twist. Readers are sure to fall in love with Woollvin’s newest vibrant and sassy protagonist.”

Need some reviews of Bo the Brave?

Educational Activities inspired by Bethan Woollvin’s Bo the Brave:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • Does this seem like our world, or is it about a different time and place?
    • What type of character do you think Bo is?
    • What do you think of when you’re told a character is “brave”?
    • Who/​what do you see sneaking about on the back cover?
    • If you could ask the author any question before you read the book, what would it be?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the book: 
    • Which of the three creatures that Bo encounters on her adventure do you like the most?
    • What does the story teach us about who/​what monsters are?
    • How do you think Bo’s relationship with her brothers will change after this story?
    • At the end of this story, we learn that Bo and her brothers “loved roaming the land and learning about all the amazing she came across.” What type of creature do you think they met next?
    • From time to time, this story rhymed. Were they are moments that really stood out for that reason?
    • What other story does Bo the Brave remind you of?
  • Writing–Bo the Brave has three monsters in it: a griffin, a kraken, and a dragon. Write up your own list of other monsters that Bo might’ve encountered. Consider using the alphabet to guide your choices, such as “B is for Bigfoot” or “N is Nine Naughty Penguins!” Be as scary or silly as you choose! 
    • Feel free to create illustrations if you want.
    • Perhaps you might want to share your results with a sibling or adult?
  • Activities–This climax of this story has a lot to do with a dragon, so let’s celebrate dragons together. With an adult’s help, try the following dragon-​themed crafts: 
    • Dragon Corner Bookmark–Easy to make and useful, too. They’re so cute!
    • Dragon Mask–What better way to have fun with dragons than to become one? With this printable and a little decorating, you’ve got all you need for some dragontastic fun!
    • Make a Dragon Snack–It’s rare to have fully edible crafts in these Educational Activities, but this one sure is! Chocolate chips, raisins, a cashew, and a pear. Yum!
    • Paper Plate Dragon–It’s amazing how a single paper plate can transform into such a cool puppet.
    • Paper Puppet Dragon–Yes, another dragon puppet of sorts, but the results here are far different the paper plate version. What’s terrific is how this one scales up or down in terms of difficulty (for older or younger kids).
  • Further Reading–In addition to being about dragons (and other “monsters,”) this book is about bravery. Which of these other picture books about bravery have you read? (Click on the book cover for more information on any of these titles!)

Educational Activities: Winged Wonders by Meeg Pincus

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Winged Wonders: Solving the Monarch Migration Mystery
Author: Meeg Pincus
Illustrator: Yas Imamura
Sleeping Bear Press
14 March 2020
40 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “For decades, as the monarch butterflies swooped through every year like clockwork, people from Canada to the United States to Mexico wondered, ‘Where do they go?’ In 1976, the world learned the answer: after migrating thousands of miles, the monarchs roost by the millions in an oyamel grove in Central Mexico’s mountains.

But who solved this mystery? Was it the scientist or the American adventurer? The citizen scientists or the teacher or his students? Winged Wonders shows that the mystery could only be solved when they all worked as a team–and reminds readers that there’s another monarch mystery today, one that we all must work together to solve.”

Need some reviews of Winged Wonders?

And here’s the cover reveal and an author Q&A with Meeg Pincus at Celebrate Picture Books.

Educational Activities inspired by Meeg Pincus’ Winged Wonders:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • What do you already know about butterflies?
    • What do you think the monarch migration mystery is?
    • Why might butterflies be called “winged wonders”?
    • If you could ask the author any question before you read the book, what would it be?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the book: 
    • Where did the people–scientists, citizen scientists, and regular folk–discover that the butterflies went?
    • What were the most important things you learned about butterflies?
    • What other story does Winged Wonders remind you of?
    • What is a citizen scientist?
    • How can YOU help the monarch butterflies?
  • Science–While Winged Wonders has lots of information about monarch butterflies within the main story and the back matter, there’s so much more to learn about these amazing creatures! Consider watching the following short informational videos to learn more: 
  • Activities–With an adult’s help, try the following butterfly-​themed crafts: 
  • Further Reading–Which of these other picture books about butterflies have you read? (Click on the book cover for more information on any of these titles!)

 

Educational Activities: Izzy Gizmo and the Invention Convention by Pip Jones

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Izzy Gizmo and the Invention Convention
Author: Pip Jones
Illustrator: Sara Ogilvie
Peachtree Publishing
1 March 2020
32 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “Izzy and Fixer are back for more machine mayhem …

While their fellow contestants at the Invention Convention are intent on making shiny new things using old power, can Izzy and Fixer build a recycling machine fuelled by nature… AND win the coveted Genius Guild badge along the way?

A joyful celebration of the magic of make-​do-​and-​mend from the creators of the much-​loved Izzy Gizm0.”

Need some reviews of Izzy Gizmo and the Invention Convention?

And here’s a bonus Q&A with both Pip Jones and Sara Ogilvie @ Books for Keeps.

Educational Activities inspired by Pip Jones’ Izzy Gizmo and the Invention Convention:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • Where and when does this story seem to take place?
    • What do you already know about inventing and inventions?
    • What expression does Izzy seem to have?
    • Who are the characters on the back cover? What are they up to?
    • If you could ask the author any question before you read the book, what would it be?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • What’s Izzy’s main problem/​challenge in this story?
    • What were the most important events in the story?
    • What is the main message of this book?
    • What other story does Izzy Gizmo and the Invention Convention remind you of?
    • Which of the inventions sound most fun? Bake-​O-​Copter? Automa-​Stretchy? Opti-Logger?
    • If the story had a sequel, what do you think it would be about? What else might Izzy be up to?
  • Writing–Which of the other Genius Guild members do you imagine has the most interesting story of their own? Will Digg? Maximillian Spout? Abi von Lavish? Gillian Din? Write that story as you imagine it. Feel free to draw pictures to go with the story. Consider sharing your finished piece with an adult or friend and ask them what they enjoy best about your work.
  • Activities–With an adult’s help, try some of the following invention-​themed activities, all inspired by one of the greatest inventors of all time–Leonardo Da Vinci: 
  • Further Reading–Which of these other picture books about kid inventors have you read? (Click on the book cover for more information on any of these titles!)

Educational Activities: Space Mice by Lori Haskins Houran

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Space Mice
Author: Lori Haskins Houran
Illustrator: Priscilla Alpaugh
Albert Whitman & Co.
1 March 2020
32 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “When two hungry mice spot a giant yellow ball of cheese in the night sky, they get right to work building a rocket ship so they can take a big bite out of that glowing full moon. After sailing through starry skies, the mice arrive at the feast of their dreams–and soon the moon isn’t so full anymore! Simple, rhythmic text makes this a great read-​aloud for future astronauts.”

Need some reviews of Space Mice?

Educational Activities inspired by Lori Haskins Houran’s Space Mice:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • Where and when does this story seem to take place?
    • What do you already know about astronauts?
    • Why might mice want to travel into space?
    • What emotion do the mice on the cover seem to be feeling?
    • If you could ask the author any question before you read the book, what would it be?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • Is this book fiction or nonfiction? How do you know?
    • What is problem do the mice face in the story?
    • What were the most important events in the story?
    • What is the main message of this book?
    • What other story does this one remind you of?
    • Which of the sound effects did you most like? Grumble grumble, phew phew, or something else?
    • If the story had a sequel, what do you think it would be about? Where else might those hungry mice go?
  • Writing–Clearly these mice are interested in science and technology. Using your own imagination, write about another situation where they use science and/​or technology to solve a different problem than being hungry. Feel free to draw pictures to go with the story. Consider sharing your finished piece with an adult or friend and ask them what they enjoy best about your work.
  • Interview–Sometimes the best way to get to know someone is interviewing them. If you interviewed the space mice with the following questions, how might they respond? Consider inviting an adult or friend to either ask questions (or answer them) as they imagine the mice might. Feel free to add more questions of your own! 
    • What is your favorite cheese?
    • What do you like most about the moon?
    • What was the biggest challenge in building the rocket ship?
    • What’s your favorite sport?
    • What is your earliest memory?
    • What secret do you have?
    • What is your dream job?
    • Where would you most like to live?
  • Craft–With an adult’s help, try some of the following space-​themed crafts: 
  • Further Reading–Space Mice is–as one might reasonably expect–about two mice who build a rocket and travel into space. Which of these other picture books about space travel have you read? (Click on the book cover for more information on any of these titles!)