Tag Archives: books

The Best Picture Books about Pets and How to Care for Them

May 1, 2022 katiemerkelwriter

Hello everyone!

If you have children, then you are probably no stranger to being begged for a pet…or multiple pets. As an animal lover who has had dogs, cats, rabbits, and parakeets, I have always been in the category of “the more the merrier” (much to my father’s consternation). Whether you want tons of pets, one pet, or no pets, I hope you will enjoy my pet picture book recommendations.

For your and your animal lover’s reading pleasure, I have listed 15 fabulous fiction picture books that celebrate the fun of having a pet, comedize the struggle of children trying to get their parents to let them get a pet, and/or that point out the work that goes into caring for a pet. I also recommended three non-fiction picture book series that highlight what it takes to be a responsible pet owner for specific animals. Each series is appropriate for a different age level ranging from preschool through 5th grade. Take the animal fun a step farther by checking out the animal crafts (sorted by pet type), pet-related writing assignments, and science experiments you can do with your pets that I included at the end of the post.

Picture Books

Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell is a lift the flap book about the zoo sending animals to the narrator, who asked for a pet, and the narrator sending them back because they are not the right pet.

I Spy Pets by Edward Gibbs introduces each pet with the phrase “I spy”; describes the texture or the animal’s skin, feathers, or fur; and has the animal say what it likes to eat. Then, the reader turns the page and sees what the animal is. The pages have a hole in them for the animals’ eyes and a close up of the animals’ skin, feathers, or fur.

Can I Keep It? by Lisa Jobe is about a boy who keeps catching wild animals and asking his mother if he can keep them. His mother describes what each animal likes to do and asks her son where he would want to live if he were that type of animal. Every time, he does the right thing and lets the animal go until finally, he finds the right type of animal that would want to live with a boy like him.

The Grumpy Pets by Kristine A. Lombardi is about a boy named Billy who is always unhappy. His mom hopes that taking him to the pet store will cheer him up, but all the animals there are just too happy for Billy. Then, Billy discovers the grumpy pets and finds a pet that is just right for him.

Bad Dog by Mike Boldt is about a little girl who wanted a dog for her birthday but got a cat named Rocky instead. However, the girl is convinced that Rocky is a dog and treats her and tries to train her like a dog. Rocky is a bad dog, but in the end, the girl concludes that Rocky would make a great cat.

Can I Be Your Dog by Troy Cummings is a series of letters between Arfy, a stray who wants a home, and the residents of Butternut Street, who don’t want to adopt a dog. The final letter exchange is between the mail carrier, who wants to be Arfy’s person, and Arfy, who is happy to finally have a home.

Some Pets by Angela DiTerlizzi, illustrated by Brendan Wenzel describes different features and skills that pets can have and concludes that regardless a pet can be a friend.

If I Had a Raptor by George O’Connor details how a little girl would care for a raptor if she had one as a pet.

My Pet Wants a Pet by Elise Broach, illustrated by Eric Barclay is about a boy who begged his mother for a puppy until she finally said yes. The boy does such a great job taking care of his puppy that the puppy wants a pet of his own. This continues from pet to pet until the boy’s mother has had enough.

I Won a What? by Audrey Vernick, illustrated by Robert Neubecker is about a boy whose parents won’t let him get a pet with fur, feathers, or that eats live food, but they promise that he can keep anything he wins at the goldfish booth. Only the boy doesn’t win a goldfish. He wins a whale!

I Wanna Iguana by Karen Kaufman Orloff, illustrated by David Catrow is a series of letters between Alex, who is trying to convince his mom to let him adopt his friend’s baby iguana, and his mother, who does not want an iguana and is not convinced that Alex is responsible enough to have a pet.

The Perfect Pet by Margie Palatini, illustrated by Bruce Whatley is about a girl named Elizabeth who desperately wants a pet but whose parents are dead set against having one. Elizabeth tries many different approaches to get them to approve one pet, but they all fail. Then, Elizabeth finds the perfect pet that meets all her parents’ requirements…and makes them wonder whether it would have been better to get a dog.

How to Train a Train by Jason Carter Eaton, illustrated by John Rocco gives instructions for how to catch and train a pet train.

Not Norman: A Goldfish Story by Kelly Bennett, illustrated by Noah Z. Jones is about a boy who gets a goldfish named Norman for a birthday gift. The boy wants to trade Norman in for a different pet; however, as he spends time with Norman, he comes to love the fish.

Fairy Tale Pets by Tracey Corderoy, illustrated by Jorge Martín is about Bob and his dog, Rex. In an effort to earn money, they start a pet sitting service. However, instead of cats, dogs, and small animals, people bring them fairy tale pets. Chaos ensues.

Non-fiction

Family Pet Series by Julie Murray

In the Family Pet Series each book gives an overview of the basic physical characteristics of the featured animal and what is needed to care for that type of pet. At the back is a picture glossary of the pet care items mentioned and the vocabulary terms that were bolded in purple in the text. This series is ideal for children in Preschool-Grade 2.

Do You Really Want a Pet? Series by Bridget Hoes, illustrated by Katya Longhi

In the Do You Really Want a Pet? Series each book gives an overview of the responsibilities associated with owning that specific type of pet and ends with a short quiz. The quiz either helps readers to determine whether or not that animal is the best pet for their lifestyle or which breed or species in that animal category would make the best pet for their lifestyle. This series is ideal for children in Pre-K-Grade 2.

Pet Care Series by Bobbie Kalman (additional author mentioned beside book title), photos by Marc Crabtree, illustrations by Margaret Amy Reiach

Gerbils by Rebecca Sjonger
Goldfish by Kelley MacAulay
Guinea Pigs by Kelley MacAulay
Hamsters by Rebecca Sjonger
Kittens by Niki Walker
Mice by Rebecca Sjonger
Parakeets by Kelley MacAulay
Ponies by Kelley MacAulay
Puppies by Rebecca Sjonger
Rabbits by Kelley MacAulay

In the Pet Care Series each book gives an overview of what the animal is, how to determine whether or not it is the right pet for your lifestyle, and how to properly care for that pet. This series is ideal for children in Grades 2-5.

Crafts

Birds

Popsicle Stick Canary Magnet Craft – The instructions call it a chick, but the craft could also be a canary (Preschool through 2nd grade)
Parrot Paper Plate Craft (Preschool through 2nd grade)
Mexican Bird Rattle Craft – If you do not put the feathers on the head, the rattle looks like a parrot head. (Pre-K through 3rd grade)

Cats

Macaroni Cat Necklace (Preschool through 2nd grade)
Cat Paper Bag Puppet (Preschool through 2nd grade)
Paper Plate Cat Craft (Preschool through 2nd grade depending on amount of adult prep)
Paper Roll Cat Craft (Preschool through 2nd grade)
Cereal Box Cat with Juice Box Kittens (Preschool through 3rd grade)
DIY Super Cute Cat Bookmarks (3rd grade through 6th grade)
Cat Nesting Dolls (3rd grade through 6th grade)

Dogs

Shape Puppies (Preschool through kindergarten)
Secret Life of Pets Max the Dog Craft (Preschool through 2nd grade)
DIY Paper Bag Animal Puppets (Preschool through 2nd grade)
Toilet Paper Roll Dogs (Pre-K through 3rd grade)
Spring Dog (Kindergarten through 4th grade)
Origami Dog (3rd grade through 6th grade)

Fish

Handprint Goldfish (Preschool through Pre-K)
Paper Plate Goldfish (Preschool through 2nd grade)
Egg Carton Goldfish (Pre-K through 3rd grade)
Paper Plate Goldfish Bowl (Kindergarten through 3rd grade)
Goldfish Kite Craft (2nd grade through 4th grade)
Goldfish in a Bag Painting (2nd grade through 5th grade)

Reptiles: Iguanas, Snakes, and Turtles

Hand and Footprint Lizard (Iguana) (Preschool through Pre-K)
Clothespin Iguanas (Pre-K through 3rd grade depending on amount of adult prep)
S is for Snake (Preschool-kindergarten)
Pom Pom Printed Paper Plate Snake (Preschool through 1st Grade)
DIY Pipe Cleaner and Bead Snake (1st grade through 3rd grade)
Finger Knitting Snakes (3rd grade through 6th grade)
Paper Plate Turtle (Preschool through 2nd grade)
Egg Carton Turtle Craft (Preschool through 2nd grade)
Origami Turtle (3rd grade through 6th grade)

Rodents: Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Mice, and Rabbits

Printable Guinea Pig Craft (Preschool through 2nd grade)
Oatmeal Container Hamster (Pre-K through 3rd grade)
Paper Bag Mouse Puppet (Preschool through 2nd grade)
Paper Plate Mouse (Preschool through 2nd grade)
Paper Mouse Cone Craft (1st grade through 4th grade)
Bunny Paper Bag Puppet (Preschool through 2nd grade)
Bunny Handprint Art (Preschool through 2nd grade)
Foam Cup Bunny (Preschool through 2nd grade)
Eraser Stamped Bunnies (Preschool through 4th grade)

English Assignments

Write a paragraph about your pet or the pet you wish you had. Why is that pet the best? (1st grade through 5th grade)
Write a story about your pet or the pet you wish you had. Make sure your story has a beginning, middle, and end. (3rd grade through 5th grade)
Research how to care for and train your pet or the pet you wish you had. Write a five-paragraph essay about why that pet is the best pet and how to care for and train it. (4th grade through 5th grade)

Science Experiments to Do with Your Pet

“Doing Science With Your Cat!” by Dani Trotman
Cat’s Taste Preference Experiment: As a child, I did a taste preference science experiment with my cats. For one week, I laid out four equally filled bowls of water every morning. One bow contained water and salt, one contained water and lemon juice, one contained water and sugar, and the other bowl just contained water. Every morning, I measured how high on a ruler the water in each bowl came and wrote down the numbers for each bowl. Every afternoon, I measured again and recorded the numbers. At the end of the week, I transferred the numbers to a chart. Looking at my chart, I was able to determine which water my cats liked best.
“Are Dogs Colorblind?” by Education.com
“Do dogs have a color preference?” by Eddie Lord (This link is to Eddie Lord’s final project. You can have your child repeat the experiment by following the Procedure portion of the project.)
“What science fair projects can I do with a hamster or a rat?” by Robbi

Happy reading!

Katie

P.S.

For more themed book recommendations and activities, visit my post library.

Book Recommendations

15 Dance Picture Books

April 1, 2022 katiemerkelwriter

Hello everyone!

I love to dance! There is something deeply satisfying about moving in time to the music and expressing the emotion of a song through movement.

These fifteen dance picture books celebrate the joy of dancing, and I hope they inspire you and your young readers to get up and dance. At the end of the post are dance-themed coloring pages, crafts, and YouTube dance tutorials. The dance video sections for ballet, hip-hop, and tap have lessons and/or dances for every age from toddlers through 5th graders. The miscellaneous dance video section contains individual dances or dance routines that are appropriate for specific age groups.

No matter what style of dance you love, free style it and explore a new form. Break it down, hip and hop, tap your feet, clap your hands, and let the books move you to express yourself through dance!

Book Recommendations

Barnyard Dance by Sandra Boynton has a rhyming text that is reminiscent of square-dance calling but with animal dancers and some animal movements.

Rap A Tap Tap: Here’s Bojangles – Think of That! by Leo and Diane Dillon tells about a man who is always tap dancing. It shows him dancing through the streets, past people, and on stage. At the end of the book, the man’s name, Bojangles, is revealed. The final page has an afterward with historical information about Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, who was one of, if not the greatest, tap dancers of all time.

Clap Your Hands by Lorinda Bryan Cauley has a rhyming text that tells the characters in the book to move different ways and make different types of faces and sounds. For added fun, you can have kids follow the directions along with the book’s characters.

Hip-Hop Lollipop by Susan Montanari is about a girl named Lollie who loves to dance hip-hop. Her parents tell her to stop dancing and go to bed, but Lollie keeps dancing. She dances with her sister; she dances while brushing her teeth; and when she’s finally in bed, Lollie dreams of dancing hip-hop.

I Got the Rhythm by Connie Schofield-Morrison, illustrated by Frank Morrison is about having the rhythm. The book starts with the protagonist thinking the rhythm. Then she experiences the rhythm with her senses and starts to express it with different parts of her body. Finally, she is expressing the rhythm with her entire body and full-out dancing. The final line of the book (“I got the rhythm and you can too.”) encourages the reader to move and dance as well.

Kitchen Dance by Maurie J. Manning is about a young girl who hears noises coming from the kitchen and together with her brother discovers that their parents are dancing and singing while cleaning up from dinner. When their parents catch them spying in the doorway, they bring their children into the kitchen, and the entire family sings and dances together. This book is a beautiful reminder that even the most mundane tasks can be used to bond as a family.

How Do You Dance? by Thyra Heder is more or less the dance version of Green Eggs and Ham. The text is a conversation between an unseen voice and the protagonist, who claims that he doesn’t dance. As the unseen voice lists many of the ways that people dance, the illustrations show those movements, and the protagonist’s reaction to a lot of the dancing. The book ends with the protagonist finally revealing how he dances.

Zoogie Boogie Fever!: An Animal Dance Book by Sujean Rim reveals the secret as to why zoo animals always seem to be tired during zoo visiting hours: they spend the whole night dancing! A little red bird is the reader’s guide through a typical night of dancing at the zoo. Enjoy the book, but as the little bird reminds the reader, the dancing is a secret, so “Don’t. Tell. Anyone.”

Hilda Must Be Dancing? by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Suzanne Watts is about a hippopotamus named Hilda who loves to dance, but whose friends dislike her dancing because it is very loud and creates a mess in the jungle. Her friends suggest different hobbies for her to try instead of dancing, but Hilda doesn’t like any of them and keeps dancing. At last, they suggest a hobby that Hilda loves and is able to combine with dancing. The result is a quiet form of dance that does not create a mess, and that both Hilda and her friends can enjoy.

Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae, illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees is about a clumsy giraffe named Gerald. At the annual Jungle Dance, when Gerald steps onto the dance floor, the other animals make fun of him and tell him he can’t dance. When Gerald leaves, a cricket tells him that different people need different types of music and encourages Gerald to listen to the music in nature. Gerald does and finds that he can dance. He learns that everyone can dance if they find the right music.

Rupert Can Dance by Jules Feiffer is about a girl named Mandy and her cat, Rupert. Mandy loves to dance for Rupert during the day, and Rupert loves to dance at night when Mandy is asleep. One night, Mandy wakes up and sees Rupert dancing. She is excited and tries to teach Rupert some of the moves she knows, but Rupert doesn’t want to take lessons and loses all interest in dancing. Mandy comes up with a plan to get Rupert to dance again, and the two of them start dancing together.

Dino-Dancing by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by Barry Gott is about a dance competition between different dinosaur dance groups. Many different styles of dance are featured, and while some acts go smoothly, others don’t go as planned.

Dance With Me by Penny Harrison, illustrated by Gwynneth Jones is about a music box ballerina who loves to dance with the little girl who comes and dances with her every day. But when the little girl gets older and stops dancing with the ballerina, the ballerina leaves her music box in search of a new dance partner. Everyone the ballerina invites to dance with her says no, and the ballerina returns to her music box. For years, the music box is packed away, but one day, a new little girl opens the lid and invites the ballerina to dance with her.

Diana Dances by Luciano Lozano is about a girl named Diana who does not do well in school and who will fail her grade if she does not learn her multiplication tables. When hiring a tutor doesn’t help, Diana’s mother takes her to the doctor, who recommends that Diana see a psychologist. The psychologist determines that Diana is a dancer and tells her mother to enroll her in a dance class. Diana loves dancing and discovers that it is easier for her to focus when she is moving. Through finding her creative outlet in dance, Diana also unlocks her ability to master her multiplication tables.

PAR-TAY!: Dance of the Veggies (And Their Friends) by Eloise Greenfield, illustrated by Don Tate is about a dance party that the vegetables in the refrigerator throw while their humans are out of the house. Different vegetables, fruits, and dance styles are featured. At the back of the book is a section that explains what a vegetable is and that lists the vegetables and fruits that participate in the dance party.

Coloring Pages

Crafts

DIY Ribbon Wands (Preschool through 1st grade)
Popsicle Stick Ballerinas (Preschool through Elementary depending on amount of adult help)
Toilet Paper Roll Hula Dancer (Preschool through Elementary depending on amount of adult help)
Flamenco Dancer Clothespin Doll (Elementary – Children in younger grades might need help)
Snowflake Ballerinas (Elementary – Children in younger grades might need help)

Dance Videos

*You can wear sneakers, dress shoes, or create your own penny tap shoes as an inexpensive way to try out this style of dance.

Miscellaneous Dances

Follow Along Robot Dance with Miss Sam (Toddler through Kindergarten)
The Cha Cha Slide Dance with DJ Raphi (Preschool and up)
YMCA Dance with DJ Raphi (1st grade and up)
Beginner Salsa with CJ and Friends (1st through 5th grade)
Kids Jazz Dance Tutorial with Miss Auti (3rd grade and up)
Total Beginner Contemporary Dance Routine with Miss Auti (4th grade and up)

Happy reading and dancing!

Katie

P.S.

For more themed book recommendations and activities, visit my post library.

Book Recommendations

12 Best Easter Picture Books

March 1, 2022 katiemerkelwriter 3 Comments

Hello everyone!

Happy Easter! Below are a dozen eggcellent Easter picture books. Some tell the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection and others feature the Easter bunny or Easter egg hunts.

After looking at the book recommendations, don’t forget to check out the Easter-themed crafts (some make cute Easter decorations), math activities, and snacks at the end of the post.

Picture Book Recommendations

The Easter Bunny’s Assistant by Jan Thomas is a lesson in how to color Easter eggs given by the Easter Bunny and his assistant, Skunk. Unfortunately, Skunk gets excited easily, which makes the process a smelly affair. Kids will enjoy this humorous lesson in egg dying.

A Very Happy Easter by Tim Thornborough tells the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection while paying special emphasis on how different people felt. In addition to sharing the Good News about Jesus, the book teaches empathy by asking kids to mimic the characters’ facial expressions and to think about how they felt.

The Parable of the Lily by Liz Curtis Higgs, illustrated by Nancy Munger is about a girl named Maggie who receives a box of dirt from her father with a mysterious plant’s bulb in it. She is disappointed with the gift, forgets about it for a while, and then throws the bulb outside. On Easter morning, she discovers that the bulb has grown into a beautiful lily. On most of the pages a Bible verse shows how Maggie’s story mirrors Jesus’ life on Earth and how God the Father must have felt that the precious gift of His Son was undervalued and unappreciated. And just as God forgives us for our sins, the books ends with Maggie’s father forgiving her for not appreciating his gift sooner.

The Story of the Easter Bunny by Katherine Tegen, illustrated by Sally Anne Lambert tells how the Easter Bunny got his start making eggs and delivering Easter baskets on Easter morning.

Happy Easter, God by Elspeth Campbell Murphy, illustrated by Jim Lewis is a series of poems that celebrate what children love about Easter. Each poem is paired with an illustration and a Bible verse.

That’s My Colt: An Easter Tale by Dandi Daley Mackall, illustrated by Chris Ellison tells the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, His death, and His resurrection from the point of view of Matthias, the boy who owned the colt that Jesus rode into Jerusalem.

Turkey’s Eggcellent Easter by Wendi Silvano, illustrated by Lee Harper is about a group of farm animals who want to win an Easter egg hunt prize by finding one of the special eggs, but they can’t participate in the hunt because it is only for children. The animals disguise Turkey different ways so he can find a special Easter egg, but each attempt to get an egg is foiled. The animals’ shenanigans are sure to delight readers of all ages!

God Gave Us Easter by Lisa Tawn Bergren, illustrated by Laura J. Bryant is about a father bear telling his daughter about the meaning of Easter and how God gave us Easter so that we could be with Him forever.

Benjamin’s Box: The Story of the Resurrection Eggs by Melody Carlson, illustrated by Jack Stockman tells the story of Jesus from His triumphal entry into Jerusalem through His resurrection from the point of view of a boy named Benjamin, who has an empty treasure box that he fills up with meaningful objects that he finds or is given during key events. Although this book can stand alone, it is designed to be read while children open resurrection eggs.

Last One in Is a Rotten Egg! by Diane deGroat is about Gilbert, Lola, and their older cousin Wally, who is very competitive. At the Easter egg hunt there are two prizes: one for finding the golden egg and one for finding the most eggs. Wally is so determined to win that he steals the golden egg from Lola despite already having the most eggs. Using Wally’s competitiveness against him, Gilbert tricks Wally into dropping all of his eggs. Gilbert returns the golden egg to Lola and wins the prize for finding the most eggs. When Gilbert gives his prize to Wally because it rightfully belongs to him, Wally learns that how you treat people is more important than winning.

Easter Eggs for Anya: A Ukrainian Celebration of New Life in Christ by Virginia Kroll, illustrated by Sally Wern Comport is about a girl named Anya who is sad because her father is fighting in a war and they do not have any eggs to turn into pysanky eggs for Easter. When a fox kills a wild goose that was defending its nest, Anya takes the eggs home, thankful that God has given her eggs for Easter. On Easter morning, the eggs hatch, and Anya finds that God has given her a better gift than pysanky eggs.

The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross by Carl Laferton, illustrated by Catalina Echeverri tells why Jesus died and rose again. An abridged version of the Garden of Eden, the curtain in the Temple, and Jesus’ life on Earth are given. The book’s focus is that it is good to be with God, but that we are separated from Him by our sin. The book ends with the Good News that because Jesus took our sin away when He died on the cross and rose from the dead, we can be with God again.

Crafts

DIY Resurrection Eggs (Preschool through Elementary)
Popsicle Stick Cross (Preschool)
Tape Resist Easter Cross (Preschool through Elementary)
Easy Cross Bird Feeder (Elementary)
He is Risen! Empty Tomb Craft (Preschool)
He is Risen! Empty Tomb Craft (Elementary)
Handprints Easter Lily Bouquet (Preschool through Elementary depending on amount of adult prep)
Tin Foil Easter Egg (Preschool through Elementary)
Paper Eggs (Elementary)(The English instructions are below the Swedish instructions.)
Easter Bunny Headband (Preschool through Elementary depending on amount of adult prep)
Foam Cup Bunny (Preschool through Elementary depending on amount of adult prep)
Paper Plate Sheep Mask (Preschool)
Bubble Wrap Sheep Craft (Preschool through Elementary)
Mini Popsicle Stick Chicks (Preschool through Elementary)
Spring Chicks Egg Carton Craft (Elementary)

Math Activities

How To Make Learning Fun With Jelly Beans (Pre-K through Elementary)
Hands On Easter Math (Pre-K through Elementary)
Easter Egg Math Activities for Kindergarten {Freebies Included!} (Kindergarten through 1st grade)
16 Spring and Easter Math Ideas (Kindergarten through Elementary)
Easter Basket Math Challenge w/ FREE Printables (Elementary)

Snacks

Happy reading!

Katie

P.S.

For more themed book recommendations and activities, visit my post library.

Book Recommendations

The 10 Best Books Read in 2021

January 20, 2022 katiemerkelwriter

Hello everyone!

In 2021, I read 685 books. At the beginning of 2022, I thought back over all the books I’d read the previous year and realized that there were a few that stood out.

In the video below, I share my top ten books that I read in 2021 and why I loved them.

Top Ten Books

Planet Earth Is Blue by Nicole Panteleakos
The Remember Balloons by Jessie Oliveros, illustrated by Dana Wulfekotte
Fall Is Not Easy by Marty Kelley
One Grain of Rice: A Mathematical Folktale by Demi
While Mama Had a Quick Little Chat by Amy Reichert, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger
Mama Seeton’s Whistle by Jerry Spinelli, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
The Very Last Leaf by Stef Wade, illustrated by Jennifer Davison
If Picasso Painted a Snowman by Amy Newbold, illustrated by Greg Newbold

Happy reading!

Katie

P.S.

For more themed book recommendations and activities, visit my post library.

Book Recommendations

Cinderella around the World

October 1, 2021 katiemerkelwriter

Hello everyone!

If you’re as into fairy tales as I am, then you already know that there are hundreds of Cinderella retellings. Below, I have organized some picture book retellings of Cinderella by continent. So, whether you’re a fairy tale fanatic or have an interest in anthropology, I think you’ll be fascinated by the way that culture influenced the telling of the tale. After reading some of the books, be sure to try one or more of the educational activities at the end of the post.

Africa

Chinye: A West African Folk Tale by Obi Onyefulu, illustrated by Evie Safarewicz

The Egyptian Cinderella by Shirley Climo, illustrated by Ruth Heller

Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale by John Steptoe

Nomi and the Magic Fish: A Story from Africa by Phumla, illustrated by Carole Byard

Americas

Adelaida: A Cuban Cinderella by Ana Monnar, illustrated by Nancy Michaud

Cendrillon: A Caribbean Cinderella by Robert D. San Souci, illustrated by Brian Pinkney

Domitila: A Cinderella Tale from the Mexican Tradition adapted by Jewell Reinhart Coburn, illustrated by Connie McLennan

Estrellita de oro / Little Gold Star: A Cinderella Cuento by Joe Hayes, illustrated by Gloria Osuna Pérez and Lucía Ángela Pérez

Smoky Mountain Rose: An Appalachian Cinderella by Alan Schroeder, illustrated by Brad Sneed

Sootface: An Ojibwa Cinderella Story retold by Robert D. San Souci, illustrated by Daniel San Souci

The Turkey Girl: A Zuni Cinderella Story retold by Penny Pollock, illustrated by Ed Young

Asia

Abadeha: The Philippine Cinderella adapted by Myrna J. de la Paz, illustrated by Youshan Tang

Angkat: The Cambodian Cinderella by Jewell Reinhart Coburn, illustrated by Eddie Flotte

Anklet for a Princess: A Cinderella Story from India by Lila Mehta, adapted by Meredith Brucker, illustrated by Youshan Tang

The Golden Sandal: A Middle Eastern Cinderella Story by Rebecca Hickox, illustrated by Will Hillenbrand

Jouanah: A Hmong Cinderella adapted by Jewell Reinhard Coburn and Tzexa Cherta Lee, illustrated by Anne Sibley O’Brien

The Korean Cinderella by Shirley Climo, illustrated by Ruth Heller

The Persian Cinderella by Shirley Climo, illustrated by Robert Florczak

Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China retold by Ai-Ling Louie, illustrated by Ed Young

Europe

Cinderella retold and illustrated by Ruth Sanderson

Fair, Brown & Trembling: An Irish Cinderella Story by Jude Daly

The Orphan: A Cinderella Story from Greece by Anthony L. Manna & Soula Mitakidou, illustrated by Giselle Potter

Princess Furball by Charlotte Huck, illustrated Anita Lobel

Raisel’s Riddle by Erica Silverman, illustrated by Susan Gaber

Tattercoats: An Old English Tale by Flora Annie Steel, illustrated by Diane Goode

Activities

Read two or more versions of the Cinderella story and compare and contrast the versions. (Preschool Adaptation: Read one version a day. Ask the same questions about each version. After reading a new version, compare the version you just read with the versions that you already read. Question suggestions: “Who did Cinderella live with?” “How many sisters did Cinderella have?” “Where did Cinderella want to go?” “Who helped Cinderella get there?” “Did Cinderella lose something? What?” “How did the Prince find Cinderella?”)
Read multiple versions of the Cinderella story and identify the elements that all the read stories have in common. Then, have students write their own Cinderella stories that incorporate those same elements.
Divide students into groups. Have each group read a different version of Cinderella and act it out for the class.
Divide students into groups. Assign each group a different version of the Cinderella story and have them research the culture it came from. Have them present that culture to the class. (Preschool Adaptation: Choose a few versions of the Cinderella story and talk about the cultures in those stories. Do a craft and/or play a game specific to each culture and/or have a table or corner for each culture filled with items from or that could be found in that culture.)

Happy reading!

Katie

P.S.

For more themed book recommendations and activities, visit my post library.

Book Recommendations

The Best Picture Books and Middle Grade Books about Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias

August 1, 2021 katiemerkelwriter

Disclosure

This blog post contains Amazon affiliate links. This means that as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There is no additional cost for you, and it helps me to keep creating awesome content!

Dear Readers,

Living with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia is a difficult experience for everyone involved. Watching my grandmother suffer from dementia during the last five or so years of her life was very painful. I was blessed that my grandmother was cognitively healthy until I was out of college, but unfortunately, there are children who have to witness the decline of an older loved one, often a grandparent. Reading stories about children who are going through the same thing might help these children to understand what Alzheimer’s disease or dementia will mean for them, their loved one, and the rest of their family. Below are some picture books and middle grade novels that I thought captured the experience well. I also included links to lists of activities that children can do with loved ones who have Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia and listed some activities to help children understand what Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are and ways to process their feelings about those conditions.

If you have a loved one who has Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia, first of all, I am sorry for the pain you are going through. Secondly, you should know that you are not alone. Remember to take care of yourself during this time. Self-care is important, and some people find attending a support group to be helpful. You can find a support group, information about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and resources for talking to kids and teens about them on the Alzheimer’s Association’s website. The Alzheimer’s Association also has a 24/7 Helpline (800-272-3900) that is available 365 days a year. Two other websites that contain information for caregivers are Caregiver Action Network (CAN) and Family Caregiver Alliance.

Picture Books

The Remember Balloons by Jessie Oliveros, illustrated by Dana Wulfekotte uses balloons to represent memories. It presents a good visual for what is happening inside the grandpa’s mind as his memories slip away.

Hugging Grandma: Loving Those with Memory Disorders by Zina Kramer, illustrated by Dave Messing starts by showing the loving relationship between the granddaughter and grandma, progresses to the grandma’s changes in behavior due to Alzheimer’s disease, and ends with the granddaughter finding ways to show love to her grandma.

Newspaper Hats by Phil Cummings, illustrated by Owen Swan is about Georgie’s visit to her grandpa in a nursing home. When she shows him a picture of her wearing a newspaper hat to try to get him to remember her, he says that he loves newspaper hats, and they make some together.

Forget Me Not by Nancy Van Laan, illustrated by Stephanie Graegin starts with Julia explaining what life was like when her grandma was well and then shows the grandma’s memory deterioration until she is moved into a nursing home.

What a Beautiful Morning by Arthur A. Levine, illustrated by Katie Kath is about Noah visiting his grandparents and noticing that his grandpa is behaving differently on this visit. The illustrator depicts the grandpa’s memory lapses by making the grandpa and whatever he is having trouble remembering gray.

Remember, Grandma? by Laura Langston, illustrated by Lindsey Gardiner is about Margaret and her grandma who has dementia and lives with her and her parents. At first, the grandma’s memory lapses are not bad, but as they get worse, Margaret has trouble relating to her grandma. In the end, Margaret realizes that her grandma’s memory is going away, but her grandma’s love for her stays strong, even though it is now expressed differently.

Remembering for Both of Us: A Child Learns About Alzheimer’s by Charlotte Wood, illustrated by Dennis Auth is about Tasha, who loves spending time with her grandparents, but struggles to understand why her grandpa is changing. After helping her grandma drop her grandpa off at adult day care for the first time, her grandma explains Alzheimer’s disease to Tasha. She also gives Tasha some ideas for how to help her grandpa and a way to remember that her grandpa loves her, even though he can no longer show it the way he used to.

Little Mamá Forgets by Robin Cruise, illustrated by Stacey Dressen-McQueen is about Lucy, who is aware that her grandma forgets a lot of things, but who focusses on the things that her grandma still remembers.

Grandpa’s Music: A Story about Alzheimer’s by Alison Acheson, illustrated by Bill Farnsworth is about the relationship between Callie and her grandpa, who has Alzheimer’s disease. The story starts with the grandpa moving in with Callie’s family, shows his memory’s deterioration through him forgetting how to do simple tasks, and ends with him moving into a nursing home. As the grandpa’s memory fades, his fingers never forget how to play the piano, and Callie is able to connect with him through his music.

Still My Grandma by Véronique Van den Abeele, illustrated by Claude K. Dubois is about Camille, who has a lot of special traditions that she does with her grandma. When her grandma gets Alzheimer’s disease and has to move into a nursing home, Camille is sad about the ways that her grandma has changed, but she creates new routines for when she visits her grandma. Even though her grandma is not the same person she used to be, Camille still loves her, and the fact that her grandma still does their special kiss lets Camille know that her grandma still loves her, too.

Always My Grandpa: A Story for Children about Alzheimer’s Disease by Linda Scacco, illustrated by Nicole Wong is about Daniel’s visit to his grandpa’s house after his grandpa has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Even though Daniel’s mom has warned him that his grandpa will be forgetful and that eventually he will not even recognize her and Daniel, Daniel does not believe that his grandpa will be any different. As the summer goes on, grandpa becomes more and more forgetful, and Daniel starts going through the fear and anger that comes with having a loved one who has Alzheimer’s disease. Daniel’s mom does a good job of talking him through what is happening to his grandpa and what he is feeling.

Striped Shirts and Flowered Pants: A Story about Alzheimer’s Disease for Young Children by Barbara Schnurbush, illustrated by Cary Pillo is about Libby and the way her grandma is changing. When the changes first start, Libby worries that her grandma is sick and might die. After her parents explain that her grandma has Alzheimer’s disease, Libby starts to worry that something is wrong with her brain too. Her parents explain that children cannot get Alzheimer’s disease and help Libby understand the different things that they can all do to help her grandma. Together, Libby and her family find a way to be okay even though her grandma has Alzheimer’s disease.

Middle Grade

The Graduation of Jake Moon by Barbara Park is about Jake, whose grandfather helped to raise him. However, now that his grandfather has Alzheimer’s disease, Jake has to help care for his grandfather, and he is struggling with the fact that it is affecting every area of his life. I think that the book accurately captures the strain of caregiving and the complex emotions that come with living with a relative who has Alzheimer’s disease.

Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina is about Merci who, in addition to struggling with the normal 6th-grade drama, can’t understand why her grandfather is behaving strangely and why she suddenly has to be home to care for the twins when her grandfather always used to do that. Merci battles the challenges at school and home until a life or death experience forces her family to tell her that her grandfather has Alzheimer’s disease. This book shows why it is important to talk to children about Alzheimer’s disease and the changes that it will create in family interactions and roles. I also like that the story ends on a hopeful note: life won’t be easy, but there are ways to reclaim some form of normalcy while living with and loving someone who has Alzheimer’s disease.

Just Like Jackie by Lindsey Stoddard is about a girl named Robinson who is being raised by her grandfather, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Warning: This book is raw. Other kids are also going through difficult family situations, and the kids display their stress in socially unacceptable ways including bullying and physical aggression. Both adults and kids swear because those words reflect how they really feel about the situations they are going through. This book is not about how to navigate Alzheimer’s disease and other difficult situations. Instead, it offers hope that despite life’s unfairness, there is a way to be okay.

The Secret Life of Lincoln Jones by Wendelin Van Draanan is about Lincoln and his mom, who have recently escaped from an abusive situation. In their new home, his mom found a job as a caregiver at a retirement home. Since she is a single mom, Lincoln has to spend his afterschool hours and part of his weekend at the retirement home among the residents. The book looks at Alzheimer’s disease and other side effects of aging from a different angle because Lincoln is not related to any of the residents. Other themes found in the book are bullying, domestic abuse, families drifting apart, escapism, and courage.

Roll with It by Jamie Sumner is about Ellie and her mother moving into her grandparents’ trailer to help take care of her grandfather, who has Alzheimer’s disease. Ellie’s struggles are not limited to the way Alzheimer’s disease is affecting her grandfather and the strain it is putting on the relationship between her mother and grandmother. She also has to integrate into a new school as the kid in the wheelchair who lives on the wrong side of town; navigate a complicated relationship with her father, who walked out on her and her mom; and come up with a recipe that will win the town’s pie Bake-Off so she can convince her mom that staying in this town is what’s best for her. The book shows how when life refuses to give you a break, you can keep going and find the good in the hard situations.

Activities for Children to Do with Loved Ones Who Have Alzheimer’s Disease or Another Dementia

Activities to Help Children Understand Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias and Process their Feelings

Explain the human brain to children by making a brain puzzle or a brain hemisphere hat so that you can show your child where in the brain different things work.
Create a memory box or photo album with your child about things that he/she loves about his/her grandparent and/or about favorite memories or activities that they do together.
Develop strategies for how to talk about the emotions that will come up during this difficult journey.
Create a calm down wand. (This is easily made by buying a pinwheel and a fake flower. Attach the flower to the other end of the pinwheel. When the child needs to calm down, have him/her smell the flower and then turn the wand over and blow the pinwheel.)
Create a safe space to hit something and/or scream.

May reading lead to understanding and the knowledge that you are not alone,

Katie

P.S.

This post is in honor of my grandparents: Gerrit and Margaret Betz (Pop-pop and Oma to their grandchildren). Oma and Pop-pop were married for over 50 years and loved each other even after death separated them on March 4, 2019. As Oma’s memory went, Pop-pop was her rock. She forgot his name, but she never forgot that he was her person.

P.P.S.

For more themed book recommendations and activities, visit my post library.

Book Recommendations