Acorns and Oak Trees

The Little Guys written and illustrated by Vera Brosgol

The Little Guys might be small, but they aim to be mighty. As they head off to find breakfast, they can conquer anything through teamwork—cross deep waters, dig through obstacles, and climb the tallest trees. Nothing can stop them! But as they begin to amass more than they need, the creatures in the forest ponder—what happens when no one can stop the Little Guys?

Because of an Acorn by Lola M. Schaefer

This enchanting and informative picture book explores the vital connections between the layers of an ecosystem, relating how every tree, flower, plant, and animal connect to one another in spiraling circles of life.

Hector the Collector by Emily Beeny

Hector begins collecting acorns of different sizes and shapes and is teased about it when his classmates find out, until their teacher explains about collections and asks who else has one. Includes author’s note about various kinds of collections.

Acorns everywhere! By Kevin Sherry

An energetic squirrel hoards acorns but forgets where he hid them after being distracted by a berry-gathering bear.

As an Oak Tree Grows by Brian G. Karas

This inventive picture book relays the events of two hundred years from the unique perspective of a magnificent oak tree, showing how much the world can transform from a single vantage point. From 1775 to the present day, this fascinating framing device lets readers watch as human and animal populations shift and the landscape transitions from country to city.

Dot & Jabber and the Great Acorn Mystery by Ellen Stoll Walsh

Two mice try to figure out how a little acorn turns into a huge oak tree.

A Friend for All Seasons by Julia Hubery

Robbie the Raccoon and his friends love Father Oak and worry that he is sick when his leaves begin to turn color and fall off, but Robbie’s mother explains what the change means and helps him plant some acorns as a sign of hope for spring.

Simple ideas for fall learning activities using real acorns:https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/acorn-fine-motor-fall-sensory-activities-math-science/

How to dry acorns:https://www.wikihow.com/Dry-Acorns-for-Crafts

Shapes

Tangled: A Story about Shapes by Anne Miranda

An unruly gang of sixteen geometric shapes gets tangled in the neighborhood jungle gym until their friend comes to their rescue and order is restored.

Circle by Mac Barnett

When Triangle breaks the rule about not hiding behind the waterfall while playing hide-and-seek with Circle and Square, Circle must rescue him.

Square by Mac Barnett

When his friend Circle asks him to do her portrait after praising him as a sculptor and genius, Square struggles to carve her likeness from a stone block.

Triangle by Mac Barnett

After Triangle plays a trick on Square, Square plans to reciprocate but runs into trouble when he tries to enter the triangular doorway of Triangle’s home.

Sweet Shapes: A Forest of Tasty Shapes written and illustrated by Juana Medina

Introduces different shapes, depicting a forest full of animals created out of tasty confections and pastries.

Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets: A Muslim Book of Shapes by Hena Khan

In simple rhyming text a young Muslim girl guides the reader through the traditions and shapes of Islam.

Round by Joyce Sidman

Newbery-Honor winning poet Joyce Sidman invites readers to search their worlds for round objects in nature. Illustrated with warm, intimate art by two-time New York Times Best Illustrated artist Taeeun Yoo, this fresh celebration shows why we love this shape best.

Friendshape by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Friends shape who we are. They make us laugh. They fill us with fun. They stand by us during life’s up and downs. And even when we disagree with our friends, if they’re tried-and-true, they don’t stay bent out of shape for long. That’s the beauty of a good buddy. This joyous book rejoices in the simple beauties of friendship, and reminds readers of all ages that it’s good to have a group of pals.

Wild about Shapes by Jérémie Fischer

Acetate inserts printed with abstract shapes transform abstract screen prints into animals, while simultaneously introducing basic color theory.

Walter’s Wonderful Web written and illustrated by Tim Hopgood

A young spider named Walter tries to weave a very sturdy web. Can you pick out the different shapes that are formed while he is working?

All Year Round by Susan B. Katz

Illustrations and short verses introduce shapes associated with each month of the year, such as circles that make up a January snowman, and triangular treats enjoyed in November.

Apples and Robins by Lucie Félix

Using die-cut pages the story explores the shapes and colors of an apple tree through the passing of the seasons.

Go, shapes, go! By Denise Fleming

Circles, rectangles, ovals, arcs, and more have fun moving about, along with a mischievous mouse that wants to play, too.

Circle, square, Moose by Kelly L. Bingham

When Zebra and his enthusiastic friend Moose are asked to exit a book about shapes, Moose has other plans.

Pick a Circle, Gather Squares: A Fall Harvest of Shapes by Felicia Sanzari Chernesky

Fall is here, with all its wonderful visual delights–not just colors, but shapes! This clever concept book follows a family on a trip to a pumpkin patch and invites children to pick out shapes from the seasonal scenery–apple bushel circles, square hay bales, diamond kites in the autumn sky! Felicia Sanzari Chernesky’s sweet verses are perfectly complemented by Susan Swan’s gorgeous collage-inspired art.

Shape activities: https://www.prekinders.com/pre-k-shapes/

Snails and Slugs

Marigold & Daisy by Andrea Zuill

Although Marigold is excited to meet her new snail sister, Daisy, she becomes envious of the attention everyone gives her, but when Marigold reaches her breaking point and decides to run away, she discovers that Daisy may come in handy after all.

Escargot by Dashka Slater

Escargot is a beautiful French snail who only wants to be your favorite animal and get to the delicious salad at the end of the book, even if he has to try a carrot, which he hates.

Waiting for Goliath written and illustrated by Antje Damm

Bear has been sitting and waiting since dawn. “I’m waiting for Goliath,” he tells everyone. “Goliath is coming! He’s my best friend.” At last the bus pulls up. But no one gets out. Yet bear is sure: “He’ll definitely show up. You’ll see!

Norman, the Slug with the Silly Shell written and illustrated by Sue Hendra

Norman is a slug who wants to be a snail, but only if he finds the perfect shell. After trying out some possibilities, he stumbles upon a doughnut.

Snail has Lunch by Mary Peterson

When Snail’s bucket home is turned over, a ladybug takes him on a journey through the vegetable garden, discovering delicious new foods while encountering new animals.

The story of Fish & Snail by Deborah Freedman

Every day, Snail waits for Fish to return and tell him a story but their friendship is tested when Fish asks Snail to take a leap out of their book to actually see a new pirate book in the library.

Snippet the Early Riser by Bethanie Deeney Murguia

A little snail who likes to get up early in the morning has trouble waking up his sleepy family.

The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson

Wanting to sail beyond its rock, a tiny snail hitches a ride on a big humpback whale and then is able to help the whale when it gets stuck in the sand.

Clementine by Sebastian Loth

Story of a snail who loved round things and had great determination as well as dreams.

Rainy Day Slug by Mary Palenick Colburn

One rainy day, a slug goes for a walk in the wide, wide world, going scrass, scrass, scrass through the tall, green grass, scuddle, scuddle, scuddle in a deep rain puddle, and scrape, scrape, scrape down a long, pink drape.

Slugs in Love by Susan Pearson

Marylou and Herbie, two garden slugs, write love poems in slime to one another but have trouble actually meeting.

Super Slug of Doom : a Super Happy Magic Forest story written and illustrated by Matty Long

When Blossom the Unicorn accidentally releases Zorgoth the slug from captivity, the reluctant heroes of the Super Happy Magic Forest must find a way stop him from drinking the potion of power which will give him the ability to destroy the forest.

Snail-Snaily-Snails by Bonnie Bader

Introduces the world of snails, sharing key characteristics while explaining how they are regarded as both a pest and a delicacy.

Nonfiction

Snails are Just My Speed! By Kevin McCloskey

Did you know snails build roads like engineers and go undercover in camouflage like spies? Did you know they can be smaller than a seed or bigger than a grown-ups hand?

Live Snail Activities:

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/lessonplans/animals/snails.html

Make a snail habitat:

http://preschoolpowolpackets.blogspot.com/2014/04/make-snail-habitat-snail-anatomy.html