Category: Educational Activities

Educational Activities: Climb On! by Baptiste Paul

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Climb On!
Authors: Baptiste Paul
Illustrator: Jacqueline Alcántara
8 March 2022
NorthSouth Books
32 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “When a young child reminds her dad about the hike they planned, her father is hesitant —To the tippy top? It’s a great day to watch futbol (soccer). But as the two climb on, her enthusiasm is contagious. Filled with setbacks, surprises, and stunning views, this warm and humorous story highlights in vivid colors the bonding power of a shared experience. A list of creatures at the end prompts a second look for keen-​eyed readers to make discoveries of their own.

Baptiste Paul and Jacqueline Alcántara (co-​creators of The Field) have teamed up again! Baptiste’s humorous and tender text, with a sprinkling of Creole words straight from the Pitons, and Jacqueline Alcántara’s vibrant and evocative illustrations capture the wonder and emotions experienced on the trail and the special relationship between a parent and a child.”

Need some reviews of Climb On!?

As a bonus, please enjoy this short interview about the book with author Baptiste Paul.

Educational Activities inspired by Baptiste Paul’s Climb On!:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • Where and when do you think this story takes place?
    • What do you think this story will be about?
    • What is the child doing on the front cover?
    • What emotion is the child on the cover feeling?
    • Who is the other person behind that child?
    • From looking at this cover, what other books does this remind you of?
    • What do the images on the back cover make you think about?
    • How do you think this story will end?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • What did you think would happen with the child wanted to got for a walk and Daddy said it was a “great day for watching futbol”?
    • If you were going on a long hike, would you have taken anything beyond what they put in their backpacks?
    • How easy was it to figure out what the Creole words meant? (They were always in italics.)
    • What creatures were causing trouble when you read “Buzz, buzz, buzz. Smack, smack, smack!”? Would you have turned back then?
    • What other animals and creatures did you see in this story?
    • What would you have done if you got to the top of the summit and realized you’d forgotten a camera? What did you think of their solution?
  • Writing–Think about a time you took a walk with a loved one. Or, if you prefer, imagine a walk you might one day take with a friend or family member. Write that story. Think about scenery, weather, plants, animals, and nature. If you want, create accompanying pictures with crayons, colored pencils, or markers. Stories are best when shared, so consider sharing yours with a friend or family member.
  • Planning–It’s always a good idea to plan before starting any journey. Answer the following about a future hike:
    • I’d like to hike to/​at _______________.
    • Someone I’d like to hike with me is _______________.
    • The three most important things to bring with me on the hike are _​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​, _​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​, and _____________.
    • Something I expect to see on my hike is _____________.
    • The best part about hiking is  _____________.
  • Activities–There are a lot of things to do while taking a hike. Here are a few of our favorites: 
  • Further Reading–Enjoy more picture books about taking a hike. 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: Loujain Dreams of Sunflowers by Lina Alhathloul & Uma Mishra-Newbery

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Loujain Dreams of Sunflowers: A Story Inspired by Loujain Alhathloul
Authors: Lina Alhathloul & Uma Mishra-​Newbery
Illustrator: Rebecca Green
1 March 2022
mineditionUS
40 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “Loujain watches her beloved baba attach his feather wings and fly each morning, but her own dreams of flying face a big obstacle: only boys, not girls, are allowed to fly in her country. Yet despite the taunts of her classmates, she is determined that some day, she too will learn to do it–especially because Loujain loves colors, and only by flying will she be able to see the color-​filled field of sunflowers her baba has told her about. Eventually, he agrees to teach her, and Loujain’s impossible dream becomes reality–inspiring other girls to dare to learn to fly. Inspired by co-​author Lina al-​Hathloul’s sister, formerly imprisoned Saudi women’s rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Loujain al-​Hathloul, who led the successful campaign to lift Saudi Arabia’s ban on women driving. This gorgeously illustrated story is lyrical and moving.”

Need some reviews of Loujain Dreams of Sunflowers?

As a bonus, please enjoy a Sneak Peek of this book:

Educational Activities inspired by Lina Alhathloul & Uma Mishra-Newberry’s Loujain Dreams of Sunflowers:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • Where and when do you think this story takes place?
    • What do you think this story will be about?
    • What emotion is the child on the cover feeling?
    • What do sunflowers make you think of?
    • What is the child on the back cover up to?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • How did you react to the initial question: Do you believe you can fly?
    • Why wasn’t Loujain allowed to fly?
    • How did you feel when the kids at school heard about Loujain’s dream of flying?
    • What was “the carpet of million sunflowers”?
    • What else might the idea of flying represent?
    • How did you react to the story’s final question: Do you believe you can fly?
  • Writing–Now that Loujain has achieved her dream, what do you imagine she’ll do next? Write that story. If you want, create accompanying pictures with crayons, colored pencils, or markers. Stories are best when shared, so consider sharing yours with a friend or family member.
  • Dreaming–Since this story is about Loujain following her dream, answer the following about YOU and your own dreams:
    • Something I do that makes me feel good about myself is _______________.
    • Something I do that makes others feel good is ____________.
    • Something I’ve always wanted to do is________________.
    • My BIGGEST dream is to _____________.
  • Crafting–Sunflowers play a key role in this story, so let’s create some of our own! Get an adult to help, just to be on the safe side: 
  • Further Reading–Enjoy more picture books about following your dreams. Which of these have you already read? Which do you want to read first? (Click on any book cover for more information on these titles!)

Educational Activities: The Year We Learned to Fly by Jacqueline Woodson

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The Year We Learned to Fly
Author: Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrator: Rafael López
4 January 2022
Nancy Paulsen Books
32 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “On a dreary, stuck-​inside kind of day, a brother and sister heed their grandmother’s advice: ‘Use those beautiful and brilliant minds of yours. Lift your arms, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and believe in a thing. Somebody somewhere at some point was just as bored you are now.’ And before they know it, their imaginations lift them up and out of their boredom. Then, on a day full of quarrels, it’s time for a trip outside their minds again, and they are able to leave their anger behind. This precious skill, their grandmother tells them, hearkens back to the days long before they were born, when their ancestors showed the world the strength and resilience of their beautiful and brilliant minds. Jacqueline Woodson’s lyrical text and Rafael López’s dazzling art celebrate the extraordinary ability to lift ourselves up and imagine a better world.”

Need some reviews of The Year We Learned to Fly?

Educational Activities inspired by Jacqueline Woodson’s The Year We Learned to Fly:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • Where and when do you think this story takes place?
    • What do you think this story will be about?
    • What emotion is the child on the cover feeling?
    • Why do you think there are butterflies on the back cover?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • Have you ever been as bored as the kids were at the start of the story? 
      • How did it feel?
      • What did YOU do about it?
    • Why weren’t the kids stuck in the apartment anymore once they closed their eyes?
    • How did you react to the kids fighting, frowning, and promising never to speak to each other again?
    • What is grandmother talking about when she says “cuffed in iron”?
    • Why does learning to fly come to mean here?
    • How did these two teach other kids to fly?
  • History–Grandmother mentions the perseverance of “the people who came before,” meaning Africans who were enslaved and brought to America. Here’s a short classroom-​friendly video to provide some context.
  • Imagining–Since the kids in this book learned to use their imagination, use YOUR imagination to fill in the blanks here:
    • A question I’d like to ask the illustrator is________________.
    • If I were a character in this book, I’d be_________________.
    • If this book had a sequel, I’d expect to see ________________.
  • Crafting–Since The Year We Learned to Fly is about kids who overcome boredom with creativity and imagination, let’s try some fun creative crafts to engage your creativity and imagination! Get an adult to help, just to be on the safe side: 
  • Further Reading–Enjoy more picture books about the power of the imagination. Which of these have you already read? Which do you want to read first? (Click on any book cover for more information on these titles!)

Educational Activities: Aaron Slater, Illustrator by Andrea Beaty

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Aaron Slater, Illustrator
Author: Andrea Beaty
Illustrator: David Roberts
2 November 2021
Abrams Books for Young Readers
40 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “An uplifting story about the power of art, finding your voice, and telling your story even when you’re out of step with your peers from the #1 bestselling creators of Sofia Valdez, Future Prez and Ada Twist, Scientist!

Aaron Slater loves listening to stories and dreams of one day writing them himself. But when it comes to reading, the letters just look like squiggles to him, and it soon becomes clear he struggles more than his peers. When his teacher asks each child in the class to write a story, Aaron can’t get a single word down. He is sure his dream of being a storyteller is out of reach … until inspiration strikes, and Aaron finds a way to spin a tale in a way that is uniquely his.”

Need some reviews of Aaron Slater, Illustrator?

Educational Activities inspired by Andrea Beaty’s Aaron Slater, Illustrator:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • Where and when do you think this story takes place?
    • What do you already know about illustrators (or illustrating)?
    • What do you think this story will be about?
    • What emotion is being felt by the boy on the cover?
    • Have you read any of the other books in the Questioneers series?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • What did you think when Aaron’s writing made words that were “just squiggles”?
    • Try as he might, Aaron couldn’t make progress with writing. Have you ever struggled to learn something, too? How did that feel? What did you do?
    • Why did Aaron try so hard just to blend in?
    • What “tangle of feelings” did he have inside?
    • What did YOU feel when Miss Greer knelt beside Aaron and said “Thank you!” for sharing his creative story?
    • What do you think about this book using a typeface specially designed for people with dyslexia?
  • Imagining–Use your imagination to fill in the blanks of the following three sentences:
    • A question I’d like to ask the author is______________.
    • One thing I’d change about this story is _____________.
    • In a sequel to this book, Aaron Slater would be doing __________.
  • Drawing–Since Aaron Slater drew his own story, let’s do the same. Using crayons, colored pencils, or paint, create your own “true story” about anything you want. Like Aaron, use visuals versus words to tell the story. When you’re finished, consider sharing it with a friend or family member.
  • Crafting–Since Aaron Slater, Illustrator is all about making art, let’s look at some options to make fun artsy crafts! Try your hand at one or more of the following projects (use recyclable materials when you can). Get an adult to help, just to be on the safe side: 
  • Further Reading–Want more picture books about art and art-​making? Here you go! Which have you already read? (Click on any book cover for more information on these titles!)

Educational Activities: Saguaro’s Gifts by Kurt Cyrus

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Saguaro’s Gifts
Author: Kurt Cyrus
Illustrator: Andy Atkins
15 August 2021
Sleeping Bear Press
32 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “Celebrating a birthday is always a happy occasion but never more so in this desert community then when it’s a centenary for a grand Saguaro cactus! For one hundred years, the majestic cactus has anchored this vibrant neighborhood, providing food, shelter, and shade to the local wildlife inhabitants. In beautiful rhyming text, the creatures that depend on Saguaro’s gifts come to pay homage, including the tiny bat that sips nectar from the plant’s flower, the finches looking for a place to build their nest, and the grateful tortoise that enjoys its fruit. Magnificent artwork brings the desert landscape and creatures to life, showing the interdependence between plants and animals. Readers young and old will appreciate this timely message of how essential even an old cactus is to our environment and the world we all share. Back matter includes information on the interdependence of the desert community.”

Need some reviews of Saguaro’s Gifts?

Educational Activities inspired by Kurt Cyrus’ Saguaro’s Gifts:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • Where and when do you think this story takes place?
    • What does the word “saguaro” mean to you?
    • What type of wildlife do you see?
    • What is your eye most drawn to?
    • What else do you notice about the cover?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • What is so special about this particular birthday for the saguaro cactus?
    • Many creatures rely on the saguaro for food, shelter, or shade. Which creature were you most surprised to see?
    • The saguaro needs those creatures, too. Why?
    • How did you react when the bobcat appeared?
    • What was your favorite moment in the book? Why?
    • What was your favorite picture in the book? Why?
    • Nonfiction picture books often teach readers something since they’re based in facts. What’s the most surprising thing you learned?
  • Drawing–As you’ve seen in the pages of Saguaro’s Gifts, the desert is an amazing place. Watch the following videos that show how to draw a desert step by step. Use whatever crayons, colored pencils, or paints you want. Consider sharing your art with friends or family members.

  • Writing–This story is told from the point of view of all the creatures that value the saguaro. Write a new version of this story from the saguaro’s point of view. What does the saguaro think, feel, say, or do? Consider sharing your version with family members or friends.
  • Crafting–The desert is a beautiful place. Let’s make some beautiful things ourselves with these fun crafts: 
  • Further Reading–Which of these other picture books about the desert have you read? (Click on any book cover for more information on these titles!)

 

 

Educational Activities: Isabel and her Colores Go to School by Alexandra Alessandri

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Isabel and her Colores Go to School
Author: Alexandra Alessandri
Illustrator: Courtney Dawson
15 July 2021
Sleeping Bear Press
40 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “English, with its blustery blues and whites, just feels wrong to Isabel. She prefers the warm oranges and pinks of Spanish. As she prepares for class at a new school, she knows she’s going to have to learn–and she would rather not! Her first day is uncomfortable, until she discovers there’s more than one way to communicate with friends. This is a universal story about feeling new and making new friends.”

Need some reviews of Isabel and her Colores Go to School?

As a bonus, enjoy here’s the trailer for this picture book.

Educational Activities inspired by Alexandra Alessandri’s Isabel and her Colores Go to School:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • Where and when do you think this story takes place?
    • Why do you think Isabel is bringing “her colores” to school?
    • What kinds of things do YOU bring to school?
    • What emotion does Isabel appear to be feeling?
    • The front and back covers include lots of flowers. Why do you think they’re there? How might they play into the story?
    • What else do you notice about the cover?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • Why was Isabel so nervous about going to her first day of school?
    • The story uses both English and Spanish words. What Spanish words were you able to figure out through context clues or the accompanying pictures? 
      • Did you check your ideas with the Spanish definitions in the Back Matter?
    • What does the phrase “To bad times, a good face” mean to you?
    • Throughout the story, language and words are described as having colors such as “night-​sky blue” and “sunrise-​orange.” Which of the author’s many descriptions appeals to you the most?
    • What was your favorite moment in the story? Why?
    • What was your favorite picture in the story? Why?
    • Ultimately, was this a happy story, a sad story, or something in between? Explain your thoughts.
  • Drawing–Sarah and Isabel became friends when Isabel “drew and colored and painted” a picture of the two of them and they both decided they were amigas/​friends. Using whatever colors you choose, create a picture of you and one of your friends. Be as realistic or imaginative as you want. Consider sharing it with them to let them know how much you appreciate their friendship.
  • Writing–After making friends with Sarah and having Miss Page share Isabel’s drawing with the rest of the class, the book ends with this line: “Maybe school wouldn’t be so bad after all.” Write the story of what you think happens on day two of school for Isabel. Does she make even more friends? Does íngles now sound different to her (or is it described in different colors)? Consider sharing this story with family members or friends.
  • Crafting–Since Isabel was so interested in drawing and colors, try your own hand at one or more of these crayon-​themed crafts. Most of these will definitely require the help of an adult, though: 
    • Chunky Crayons–Recycle those stubs and nubs with an oven, a muffin tin, and cooking spray.
    • Crayon Monogram–A perfect gift for a teacher or loved one.
    • Crayon Play Dough–Whether it’s National Play Dough Day (Sept 16) or not, this craft is sure to please.
    • Sandpaper Printed T‑Shirt–A quick trip to a dollar store can keep this one affordable. (I made the whole thing for $2.)
    • Wax Paper Lantern–This one needs an iron, so adults are are must here!
  • Further Reading–Which of these other first-​day-​of-​school picture books have you read? (Click on any book cover for more information on these titles!)