The Very Hungry Caterpillar (1969)
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a cute book that teaches students about the life cycle of a butterfly through our very hungry friend. My favorite part of the book is the when the caterpillar gets to turn into a butterfly.
Lesson Idea: Students can do a butterfly life cycle activity that has them label each stage
Author Website: eric-carle.com / Instagram
YouTube: Read Aloud
Where the Wild Things Are (1963)
Growing up, this was one of my favorite books. I remember creating my own secret land with my own wild things. It's definitely a book that can help stimulate imagination in young children.
Lesson Idea: Students can create their own “wild thing” and describe it with adjectives.
Author Website: mauricesendak.com
YouTube: Read aloud
The Snowy Day (1962)
I like it's just a simple book about a little boy who experiences a snow day. I remember reading it as a kid and feeling a connection to the story, even though I'd never experienced snow, since the characters looked like me.
Lesson Idea: Students can write and illustrate their favorite season
Author Website: https://www.ezra-jack-keats.org
YouTube: Read Aloud
Corduroy (1968)
Growing up, I really like the story Corduroy. Following the journey of a bear who is trying to find his lost button so that he can appear to be perfect for his forever home was such a cute story. I liked the part of the story where, despite Corduroy appearing "worn" and "not new", the little girl still decided to buy him because he was perfect to her.
Lesson Idea: Students bring in their favorite stuffed animals for a show and tell, and share how they came to be with their cuddly friend
Author Website: https://www.donfreeman.info
YouTube: Read Aloud
Madeline (1939)
I remember the first time Madeline was read to me was is Pre-school right before I had to have a surgery. The story talks a little girl who lives in a boarding school and has to be rushed to the hospital for a surgery. She's scared, of course, but with encouragement, she faces her fears and learns to be brave for her surgery. Afterwards her friends visit her and Madeline shows off her scar. I like how the story shows how Madeline is scared, and it's okay, but it's more important to get over our fears
Lesson Idea: Students write about a time where they had to overcome their fears
Author Website:
YouTube: Read Aloud
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