Category: Educational Activities

Educational Activities: Flibbertigibbety Words by Donna Guthrie

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Flibbertigibbety Words: Young Shakespeare Chases Inspiration
Author: Donna Guthrie
Illustrator: Åsa Gilland
1 September 2020
Page Street Kids
40 pages

I’m a big Shakespeare fan, so when I saw this book, I knew I had to include it in OPB in some way.

Book description from Goodreads: “With quotes and sly references to the famous works of William Shakespeare and the words he invented, this adventurous ode to language will delight readers young and old.

It all starts one morning when words fly into William’s window. He wants to catch them, but they are flibbertigibbety and quick and slip right through his fingers. Soon whole lines of verse are leading him on a wild goose chase as they tumble, dip, flip and skip all through town, past a host of colorful characters the observant reader may find as familiar as the quotes. William remains persistent, and with time and the proper tools he finds a way to keep the words with him.”

Need some reviews of Flibbertigibbety Words?

Educational Activities inspired by Donna Guthrie’s Flibbertigibbety Words:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • What does the word “flibbertigibbety” make you think of?
    • Where and when do you think this story takes place?
    • What do you already know about William Shakespeare?
    • What emotion does the boy on the back cover seem to be feeling?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • What is the main message of this book?
    • Why does young Shakespeare want to chase down and catch  strange words?
    • If you wanted to go outside and catch words, what might you try to do?
    • The book is full of fun new words. What are some of your favorites? Zany? Madcap? Frivolous? Coax?
    • What other story does Flibbertigibbety Words remind you of?
    • What happens–or should happen–after the ending?
    • What feedback would you give to the author?
  • Writing–Shakespeare is known for writing amazing poems. Try your hand at writing a poem of your own. Here are some specific prompts to help you along: 
  • Performing–While you can certainly listen to or read a poem, there are more things you might try as well. Consider singing, dancing, or acting out any of the following poems. Perhaps get a friend or adult to help out? 
  • Further Reading–Which of these other picture books about Shakespeare have you read? (Click on the book cover for more information on any of these titles!)

Educational Activities: Saving Eli’s Library by Ruth Horowitz

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Saving Eli’s Library
Author: Ruth Horowitz
Illustrator: Brittany Jackson
1 October 2020
Albert Whitman & Company
32 pages

As with most writers, I’m a book fan. In fact, some of the stacks of books in my office have now grown taller than me. I suspect Eli would appreciate that fact.

Book description from Goodreads: “Eli loves going to the library for Story Circle, but, one stormy day, the nearby river threatens to flood it. Eli and his dad must brave the storm to help save the books, and, when the storm is over, the whole town must come together to rebuild the library. Inspired by the residents of Lincoln, Vermont, who rebuilt their library on three separate occasions, Saving Eli’s Library showcases one community’s bigheartedness, and the power of water and nature.”

Need some reviews of Saving Eli’s Library?

Educational Activities inspired by Ruth Horowitz’s Saving Eli’s Library:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • What do you think of when you think of libraries?
    • Where and when does this story seem to take place?
    • What’s going on outside the window?
    • Where did Eli just come from?
    • 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 kind of person is Eli?
    • Why did the library need saving?
    • Can you think of another way the library might have been saved?
    • Could this situation really happen?
    • If you marched with Eli in the book parade, would you wear a special costume?
    • Is there something you don’t understand about the story?
    • What other story does Saving Eli’s Library remind you of?
  • Writing–Now that Eli has saved his library, what happens next for him?  Imagine whatever you want, and then write down what you think of in as much detail as you choose. 
    • What new challenge does Eli–or the library–face?
      • Perhaps the library needs a fundraiser to buy new books? Or there’s a book-​eating alien that arrives? Or…
    • How does Eli overcome the challenge?
    • What does Eli see/​smell/​taste/​touch? Details help make a story come to life!
    • Feel free to draw pictures to accompany your continuation of Eli’s story.
    • Perhaps share your results with a friend or adult?
  • Activities–Try some of the following book-​themed crafts. Get a library-​loving adult to help: 
    • The Cat in the Hat Printable Hat–Yep. It’s wearable. Feel free to draw on the stripes versus use strips of craft paper.
    • Class Pancake Book–This requires a few other youngsters to make it work, so invite friends, family, or classmates to help out!
    • Funny Face Flipbook–This will stop the “I’m bored!” complaints. So much fun!
    • Paper Plate Caterpillar–For fans of Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar. This one’s really easy to make, folks!
  • Further Reading–Which of these other picture books about libraries have you read? (Click on the book cover for more information on any of these titles!)

 

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!)