15 Fun Extension Activities for The Adventures of Beekle

Welcome back to my series of posts highlighting some of my very favorite, favorite picture books and the supplementary games, songs, and activities you could use with them. This could be useful for library programs, the classroom, homeschooling, or (of course) to just have fun with your kids! You can see all my book activity ideas here. But today, I'll share ideas for...

Not only one of my favorites, but also a Caldecott winner! The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat is an awesome story with even awesome-er illustrations. It's colorful, it's bright, it inspires me...to share lots of awesome activities. These are targetted at the book's target age group of about 4 to 7 years old. Check them out below!

1. Draw your own imaginary friend -- This one pretty much goes without saying, but this book does provide the most excellent of opportunities to exercise one's imagination. So draw a portrait of your buddy, whether he/she comes purely from your mind's eye or whether you draw some inspiration from Beekle's end pages. Giant sketchbook and pen are not necessary (but could be fun!)

Dan Santat at work, from The Horn Book

15 Fun Activities for Kids when reading Radiant Child by Javaka Steptoe

Welcome back to my new series of posts highlighting some of my very favorite, favorite books and the supplementary games, songs, and activities you could use with them. This could be useful for library programs, the classroom, homeschooling, or (of course) to just have fun with your kids! Previously, I've created fun activity lists for books like I Want My Hat Back and Mother Bruce. Now I'll share ideas for...

Yep, this year's Caldecott Medal winner, Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, which truly deserves the honor. Now, with this being a book about an artist written by an artist who won the Caldecott (oh, and the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award!), a lot of these activities are art based. Woo! But there's still some science, games, music, and food thrown in, too. Whichever of the activities you choose, they'll be perfect for the book's target age of school-age kids, or roughly 6 - 10 years old.

1. DIY spray painting—Jean-Michel Basquiat started out his career with a lot of graffiti. Have kids try it out (in a safer, more washable way) with washable paint put in spray bottles (see this instructable for more info and photo cred). Make a game of it by trying to shoot different targets with your paint.

15 Extension Activities for The Thing About Yetis

Welcome back to my new series of posts highlighting some of my very favorite, favorite books and the supplementary games, songs, and activities you could use with them. This could be useful for library programs, the classroom, homeschooling, or (of course) to just have fun with your kids! Previously, I've created fun activity lists for books like I Want My Hat Back and Mother Bruce. Now I'll share ideas for...

The utterly adorable Yeti. He loves winter so much! But sometimes, on the coldest, wettest, windiest of winter days...he misses summer. The Think About Yetis is the perfect book about seasons, emotions, and fluffy little yetis. And it's the perfect time of year to do some book activities because—HELLO—we're in the middle of winter and it's flippin' cold outside. But even if you're not where there's snow, there's still lots of fun to be had! Check out these activities that are perfect for the book's target audience of 3 - 7 years.

1. Make your own yeti—The fluffy, adorable star of the book can also be a fun craft activity! In fact, Arty Crafty Kids had the same idea and made this paper plate yeti in honor of the book. With some cotton balls and glue, kids will have a super fun time making their own yetis. 

15 Extension Activities for I Want My Hat Back

Welcome back to my new series of posts highlighting some of my very favorite, favorite books and the supplementary games, songs, and activities you could use with them. This could be useful for library programs, the classroom, home schooling, or (of course) to just have fun with your kids! Previously, I've created fun activity lists for books like If You Plant a Seed and Mother Bruce. Now I'll share ideas for...

Oh, the irreverent humor of Jon Klassen in I Want My Hat Back. This is practically a classic by now, it's just so great. It's short, it's to the point, and man, does it have the best ending. So what sort of activities can go along with this book? Well, here are some ideas that will appeal to its target audience of kids aged 4 - 8 years.

1. Make your own pointy hat—Playing by the Book knows just what to do after enjoying this book: make and decorate your own beloved headwear! Her instructions (and my source for the photo) can be found here.

15 Extension Activities for If You Plant a Seed

Welcome back to my new series of posts highlighting some of my very favorite, favorite books and the supplementary games, songs, and activities you could use with them. This could be useful for library programs, home schooling, or (of course) to just have fun with your kids! The first book I did was What This Story Needs is a Pig in a Wig, and then Mother Bruce. Now I'll share ideas for...

First and foremost, Kadir Nelson's If You Plant a Seed is a shining example of gorgeous, realistic illustrations. The art in this book is my favorite favorite. And then on top of all that, it has a really important message about selflessness and working together. The harvest and gratitude themes make it a really great read for November. Really, it's a genius book and definitely one of my favorites (see my original review back here). Here are some activities that will appeal to its target audience of about 4 - 7 years. 

1. Plant a seed—I know. Big surprise here. It really almost goes without saying. Here's a great resource to get you started: planting a bean in a cup (from Peep and the Big Wide World). (photo from marajane)

15 Extension Activities for Mother Bruce

Welcome back to my new series of posts highlighting some of my very favorite, favorite books and the supplementary games, songs, and activities you could use with them. This could be useful for library programs, home schooling, or (of course) to just have fun with your kids! The first book I did was What This Story Needs is a Pig in a Wig, and now I'll share ideas for...

I adore Ryan T. Higgins' book, Mother Bruce. You can see my original review back here. Basically, I love it because of the humor. So. Funny. But really, it's also the illustrations, the great story, and the ever lovable grumpy bear named Bruce. Also of note, the sequel, Hotel Bruce just came out this week! And I'm doing a giveaway for the book, so head on over to this post if you want a chance to win. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Here are some activities that will appeal to the books target audience, kids aged 3 - 7 or there's about.

1.  Hibernation craft—What does "hibernate" mean? Bruce would much prefer to sleep. Do some research as to why, and try out this adorable hibernation craft (from Courtney Ward's Lesson Plans).

15 Extension Activities for What This Story Needs Is a Pig in a Wig

I'm going to try out a new series of posts highlighting some of my very favorite, favorite books and the supplementary games, songs, and activities you could use with them. This could be useful for library programs, home schooling, or (of course) to just have fun with your kids! So, without further ado...

I adore Emma Virjan's book, What This Story Needs Is a Pig in a Wig. You can see my original review for it back here, but basically, the humor is spot on and the text is perfect for beginning readers. Aimed at kids from preschool to about first or second grade, these activities will help make the book that much more fun to read!

How to Help a Child Select Books On Their Own (Ready to R.E.A.D.!)

When a child comes into a library, it can be pretty overwhelming. There's a LOT of books! Sometimes, kids will pull books randomly. Sometimes they find a title simply because someone recommended it. But what I want to make sure is that children know how to find a book successfully—selecting something they can enjoy so as to build a love of reading.

So I came up with a way to help them remember (and you, as an adult—parent, librarian, teacher) how to find a book to read. Or perhaps I should say R.E.A.D. (yep, dorky acronym time!).

5 Ways to Encourage a Baby's Love for Books (and a Sweepstakes!)

Start 'em young. No joke, people.

Of course you can encourage a love for literature at any time or age! But why not start right away? I must admit after having a baby that my job as a children's librarian became that much more exciting. It's so much cuter to have a picture book reading buddy.

So here are some ways that parents can help their newest additions and librarians can help their youngest patrons build a love for reading.

7 Ways to Get Kids To Read This Summer

Ah, summer. The sweet release from the dreaded school year. Swim parties and beach trips. Ice cream and popsicles dribbling down your face... Of course summer vacation is awesome!

But while these thoughts are running through kids' minds, many educators and parents may have this thought: how can I ensure my kids don't experience learning loss over the summer? Don't worry! There are ways you can help keep your kids' brains working and developing! And here's a little post to get you started: seven ways to get your kids to read this summer.

Favorite Apps for Early Readers

Whether you're a parent looking to further your child's literacy skills or a librarian looking to add some educational variety to a program, apps can be a really useful resource. If, that is, you know what to look for!

10 Tips for Reading Aloud to Children

Got an advice-ful post today! Parents, librarians, and teachers alike will all have a chance to read aloud to children at some point. Usually, it's pretty often (as it should be!). Each person has their own style and approach, but I thought I'd put out my two cents on some good ways to showcase a book.

Why Picture Books Are Important

As part of National Picture Book Month, picturebookmonth.com asks a different author/illustrator each day to explain why picture books are important. Today, for instance, is Anna Dewdney, of Llama Llama fame, and she focused on the human-interaction of it. Really though, all of the explanations this month are varied, from the humorous to the serious and personal to educational.

So with that in mind, I thought I'd answer the question. Why are picture books important? Seeing as I have based my entire career on sharing picture books, I feel rather invested in the answer. But seeing as I simply love picture books, the answer will not be completely professional. No, this will be a nice blend of completely biased opinion and some fact-based evidence.

Why You Should Go to Storytime

I may be a bit biased, but there are some really good reasons for young children to go to storytime. Here are just a few of them...

How to Get a Reluctant Reader Reading

As a librarian, I pretty much think reading is the greatest thing ever. Ever ever. A lot can be learned from reading, plus it gives a huge boost to the imagination. I’m an advocate for early literacy and getting children started on books as soon as possible. Why? Because reading is necessary. As a student, in a job, whatever it may be, reading is important. Well, what happens when it doesn’t come easy? Or it just plain is no fun? How can you—a parent, librarian, teacher, whoever—help kids pick up a book? I’m not an expert, but I have been studying this for a while, and here’s some quick suggestions that I have.