#130 - My Mommy Hung the Moon by Jamie Lee Curtis

Summary:  My Mommy Hung the Moon celebrates the unconditional love between mother and child. The little narrator declares,"My Mommy's good at everything!" When it comes to stealing bases, untangling kites, baking cookies, and carpooling she's the champ. 

Suggested Activity:  Caring Ropes

For this activity use a 20 inch rug-yarn length or leather strip for each student. Ask students to keep track of their caring deeds towards others. Each time they perform a deed, invite them to tie a knot in the rope. Keep the ropes in an accessible place, such as a cubby. You Mom's "caring rope" sure would have a lot of knots!

Curriculum Area:  Prosocial Behavior (plays well with other children, recognizes the feelings of others and responds appropriately)

Appropriate Age Group: 5 and up

#129 - Before You Were Mine by Maribeth Booth

Summary: A little boy wonders what life was like for his new dog before he adopted him from a shelter. Maybe he was kept on a chain, with a dusty bowl and lonely sounds all around. In the end, the boy realizes that it doesn't matter what happened because now his dog is home.

Suggested Activity:  Animal Shelter Visit

Your local animal shelter is a great field trip destination for children. There is usually no cost to visit these facilities, and the staff can help teach youngsters the importance of caring for animals properly as well as the right way to play with their pets so they won't be scared or harmed. 

Curriculum Area: Prosocial Behavior (recognizes the feelings of others and acts appropriately, shares and respects the rights of others)
 
Appropriate Age Group: 4 and up

#128 - The Hello, Goodbye Window by Norton Juster

Summary: The window in Nanna and Poppy's kitchen is no ordinary window–it is the place where love and magic happens. It's where the girl and her doting grandparents watch stars, play games, and, most importantly, say hello and goodbye.  

Suggested Activity: Many Languages

Ask children if they know any other ways of saying "hello," in English. Discuss phrases such as "howdy" and "what's up?" Explain that people in other parts of the world use other words that have the same meaning. Teach preschool students how to say hello in other languages such as "ciao," "bonjour," "buenos dias," "konichiwa" and "shalom."

 

Curriculum Area: Prosocial Behavior (shares and respects the rights of others)

Appropriate Age Group: 4 and up

#128 - Spoon by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Summary: Meet Spoon. He’s always been a happy little utensil.  But lately, he feels like life as a spoon just isn’t cutting it.  He thinks Fork, Knife, and The Chopsticks all have it so much better than him. As it turns out, the other culinary implements think Spoon is the one who has it made—who else gets to bang on pots, dive into a bowl of ice cream, or relax in hot cup of tea?
 
Suggested Activity:  Silverware Set

Provide a silverware set. The children can sort the pieces according to sizes, shapes, and/or use.

Curriculum Area: Logical Thinking (classifies objects)

Appropriate Age Group: 4 and up

#127 - A Blue's Clues Chanukah by Jessica Lissy

Summary: Blue and her friends have been invited to a Chanukah party at Orange Kitten's house! From lighting the menorah and eating special foods to playing dreidel and singing songs, you can join in the celebration too!

Suggested Activity:  Menorah Craft

Glue eight wooden or styrofoam spools of equal size to a piece of wood, leaving a space in the middle. Glue a larger spool in the middle, thus making four smaller spools on each side. The menorah can be lit during the eight days of Hanukkah during group time. Explain the meaning of a menorah to the group as well.

Curriculum Area: Prosocial Behavior (shares and respects the rights of others)

Appropriate Age Group: 4 and up

#126 - Wash Your Hands by Tony Ross

Summary: The Little Princess learns that if she doesn't wash her hands, the germs and nasties "can get into your food, and then into your tummy ... and then they make you ill." The little princess cheerfully accepts the reasoning behind hand-washing and does just that before eating a big slice of cake. 

Suggested Activity:  Hand-Washing Check

Have children wash their hands. Then take small pieces of cotton dipped in rubbing alcohol. Rub the back of each child's hand with the moistened cotton. Look at the dirt on the cotton and discuss what it means. 

Even when we think we've washed our hands thoroughly, there may still be dirt present. Remind children to sing "Happy Birthday" two times (10-15 seconds) to kill germs.

Curriculum Area: Sense of Self (takes responsibility for own well-being)

Appropriate Age Group: 4 and up

#125 - Lilly's Purple Purse by Kevin Henkes

Summary: Lily loves everything about school. She loves the sharp pencils, squeaky chalk and Mr. Slinger, who is the coolest teacher in the world. But when Lilly brings her purple plastic purse, three jingly quarters, and movie star sunglasses to school and can't wait until sharing time, Mr. Slinger confiscates her prized possessions. 

Outside of school she finds a note in her returned purse that reads, “Today was a difficult day. Tomorrow will be better.” Mr. Slinger is truly the best!

Suggested Activity: Guess the Emotion

One child chooses an emotion and acts out that feeling. The other children playing the game try to guess the emotion. The child who guesses correctly becomes the next actor. 

Curriculum Area: Prosocial Behavior (recognizes the feelings of others and responds appropriately)

Appropriate Age Group: 4 and up

#124 - The Easter Egg by Jan Brett

Summary: If Hoppi can make the best Easter egg, he will get to help the Easter Rabbit deliver the eggs on Easter morning. But it is not so easy. Discouraged, he goes into the woods to think when a blue robin’s egg tumbles out of its nest. Hoppi keeps it safe and warm until the baby bird hatches, and when the Easter Rabbit arrives, he chooses the empty blue eggshell to reward Hoppi for his kindness.

Suggested Activity: Sharing Baskets

Decorate eggs or baskets to give to a home for the elderly. Take a field trip and let the children deliver them.

Curriculum Area: Prosocial Behavior (recognizes the feelings of others and responds appropriately)

Appropriate Age Group: 4 and up

#123 - A Color of his Own by Leo Leoni

Summary: The chameleon is forlorn that he doesn't have a color of his own.  He is purple like the heather, yellow like a lemon, and even black and orange striped like a tiger! When another chameleon suggests they travel together, he learns that companionship is more important than what color you are. No matter where he goes with his new friend, they will always be alike.

Suggested Activity: The Feel of Color

This activity can be introduced at large group time. Begin by collecting colored construction paper. Individually hold each color up and ask the children how that particular color makes them feel. Adjectives that may be used include: hot, cold cheerful, warm, sad, tired, happy, clean, etc.

Curriculum Area: Sense of Self (recognizes own feelings and manages them appropriately)

Appropriate Age Group: 4 and up

#122 - Raisin and Grape by Tom Amico

Summary: A young grape is lucky enough to spend the whole day with his grandpa raisin. Grape thinks Grandpa’s wrinkles are awesome. Grandpa says you couldn’t pay him to be a grape again. Both of them agree, however, that together they make a great team.

Suggested Activity:  Purple Bubble Print

In a small plastic bowl or cup, mix one tablespoon purple liquid tempera paint with two tablespoons liquid dishwashing detergent and gently stir in a small amount of water. One child at a time can put a straw in the paint mixture and blow until bubbles rise above the rim of the bowl or cup. Remove straw and lay a piece of white paper on top of the bubbles. As the bubbles pop, they will leave prints on the paper.

Curriculum Area: Learning and Problem Solving (observes objects and events with curiosity, explores cause and effect)

Appropriate Age Group: 4 and up

#122 - The Red Book by Barbara Lehman

Summary: This book is about a book. A magical red book without any words. When you turn the pages you’ll experience a new kind of adventure through the power of story. The Red Book crosses oceans and continents to deliver one girl into a new world of possibility, where a friend she’s never met is waiting. And as with the best of books, at the conclusion of the story, the journey is not over.

Suggested Activity: Sugar Cube Science

 
Mix a few drops of red food coloring into water and then pour it onto a plate. Add a stack of sugar cubes and observe what happens. The colored water should move up the stack of sugar cubes and eventually make them collapse.

Curriculum Area: Learning and Problem Solving (observes objects and events with curiosity, explores cause and effect)

Appropriate Age Group: 4 and up

#121 - I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie by Allison Jackson

Summary: I know an old lady who swallowed a pie, a Thanksgiving pie, which was really too dry. And with that the feast begins! After the pie the old lady swallows a whole squash, all of the salad, and the entire turkey!

Suggested Activity: Rubber Wishbone

Bring in a wishbone from a turkey and place it in a jar. Pour some vinegar into the jar to cover the wishbone. Leave the wishbone in the bottle for 3 days. Remove it and feel it. It will feel and bend like rubber.

Curriculum Area: Learning and Problem Solving (observes objects and events with curiosity, explores cause and effect)

Appropriate Age Group: 4 and up

#120 - Shapes, Shapes, Shapes by Tana Hoban

Summary: Whenever you are -- inside or outside -- there are shapes to discover. And with Tana Hoban's help you will begin to see them. Look around. How many circles, squares, stars, triangles, hearts, and rectangles can you see?

Suggested Activity: Shape Feely Box

Cut many shapes out of different materials such as felt, cardboard, wallpaper, carpet, etc. Place the shapes into a feely box. The children can be encouraged to reach in and identify the shape by feeling it before removing it from the box.

Curriculum Area: Learning and Problem Solving (observes objects and events with curiosity, explores cause and effect)

Appropriate Age Group: 4 and up

#119 - The Little Mouse, The Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Dan and Audrey Wood

mouse

Summary: The Little Mouse will do all he can to save his strawberry from the Big, Hungry Bear, even if it means sharing it with the reader.

Suggested Activity: Color Cards

Construct color cards that start with white and gradually become cherry red. The children can sequence the cards from white to red and from red to white. Discontinued paint sample color cards could be obtained from the paint store.

Curriculum Area: Logical Thinking (arranges objects in a series)

Appropriate Age Group: 4 and up

#118 - Snowbear's Christmas Countdown by Theresa Smythe

Summary: The month of December is full of joyful anticipation for Snowbear—there are just so many things to do before Christmas arrives. For starters, Snowbear must put up decorations, buy gifts for his friends, make hot chocolate and cookies, and—let’s not forget—play in the snow and ride his sleigh! So count along with Snowbear as the days pass and the excitement builds to Christmas Day.


Suggested Activity: Number Chain

Cut enough strips of paper to make a number chain for the days of the month. During group time each day, add a link to represent the passage of time. Another option is to use the chain as a countdown by removing a link per day until a special day. 

Curriculum Area: Logical Thinking (uses numbers and counting)

Appropriate Age Group: 4 and up

#117 - To be a Drum by Evelyn Coleman

Summary: Daddy Wes helps his children hear the rhythm of the earth. And with the rhythm begins a story of the "drum," the pulse which has moved through the African people and through time and place.

Suggested Activity: Drum Beats

Arrange children in a circle and ask them to close their eyes. Have them listen for the number of of times you beat the drum. (If it is too difficult for them to count in their heads, count out loud as you beat the drum). Whoever names the correct number gets to beat the drum next.

Curriculum Area: Logical Thinking (recognizes patterns and can repeat them, uses numbers and counting)

Appropriate Age Group: 4 and up

#116 - I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen

Summary: The bear's hat is gone, and he wants it back. Patiently and politely, he asks the animals he comes across, one by one, whether they have seen it. Each animal says no, some more elaborately than others. But just as the bear begins to despond, a deer comes by and asks a simple question that sparks the bear s memory and renews his search with a vengeance.

Suggested Activity: "Weather" or Not to Wear a Hat

Discuss the different types of hats that are worn in cold weather. Ask questions such as,"What parts of our body does a hat keep warn?" "What kinds of hats do we wear when it is warm outside?" "How does a hat help to keep us cool?"

Curriculum Area: Sense of Self (recognizes own feelings and manages them appropriately)

Appropriate Age Group: 4 and up

#115 - The Sun is My Favorite Star by Frank Asch

Summary: There are many stars in the galaxy. But only the sun wakes us in the morning, helps us grow, plays hide-and-seek behind the clouds, and paints pretty pictures in the evening sky.

Suggested Activity: Sunlight Power

 

Fill two glasses half-full of warm water. Stir some flour into one glass. In the other, dissolve a little yeast in the water, then add flour. Now set them both in a warm place for an hour and watch the results.

Curriculum Area: Learning and Problem Solving (observes objects and events with curiosity, explores cause and effect)

Appropriate Age Group: 4 and up

#114 - The Curious Garden by Peter Brown

Summary: While out exploring one day, a little boy named Liam discovers a struggling garden and decides to take care of it. As time passes, the garden spreads throughout the dark, gray city, transforming it into a lush, green world.

Suggested Activity: Fruit Dehydration

Provide plastic knives and a variety of fruit for the children to slice. Place the sliced fruit in the dehydrator and dry overnight. The next day, invite the children to discuss the differences in how the fruit looks, feels, and tastes. Introduce the concept of dehydration (taking the liquid out). Strawberries, bananas, pineapples, apples, and grapes usually have significant changes after dehydration. 

Curriculum Area: Learning and Problem Solving (observes objects and events with curiosity, explores cause and effect)

Appropriate Age Group: 5 and up