Fabulous Fish!

I Am Not a Fish! Written and illustrated by Peter Raymundo

Edgar the jellyfish joins a self-help group of starfish and learns to embrace what makes him unique.

Save Your Friends written and illustrated by Hyewon Kyung

A variety of friendly fish and other sea creatures enlist the reader’s help in escaping a shark.

Sea Bones by Bob Barner

Did you know that Jellies (not Jelly Fish–because they aren’t actually fish) have no bones and no brains? Or that the largest animal on Earth is the blue whale? Join author-illustrator Bob Barner as he makes waves with this lush picture book about the sea featuring his signature rhyming text and colorful illustrations.

The Only Fish in the Sea by Philip Christian Stead 

Sadie and Sherman set out to rescue little Ellsworth, the goldfish Amy Scott received for her birthday and threw right into the ocean.

Henny, Penny, Lenny, Denny, and Mike by Cynthia Rylant

Five guppies love their life in a little girl’s fish tank until some new additions shake things up.

Longing for friends and hungry for delicious treats, a fish who lives near the bottom of the ocean invites everyone to a party, with unexpected results.

Wordless books

Aquarium written and illustrated by Cynthia Alonso

In this wordless picture book, a little girl learns about love, nature, and the transformative power of letting go when a little fish leaps into her life.

Friends written and illustrated by Geraldo Valério

When a girl and a frog go to the beach to fish, they are frustrated to find that the fish aren’t biting. Instead, they stare into the water and make faces at their reflections. Then, something spectacular happens. The reflections take on lives of their own, transforming into a mermaid with her own pet frog. Surprise gives way to delight as they invite the girl and the frog to enter a stunning underwater world. The new friends swim and play amongst colorful sea creatures until they discover a pair of glowing pearls and turn them into matching necklaces.

The Fish and the Cat by Marianne Dubuc

A playful cat, a courageous fish… Where will their adventures take them?

Rain Fish written and illustrated by Lois Ehlert

Through rhyme and mixed-media collage illustrations, ‘rain fish’–the varied, colorful, and unique little collections of materials that float along on streams of rain water during storms–come to life.

Nonfiction:

The Big Book of the Blue written and illustrated by Yuval Zommer

Alongside everything the young oceanographer needs to know, Zommer’s charming illustrations bring to life some of the slipperiest, scaliest, strangest, and most monstrous underwater animals.

Fish in a bottle craft: https://mercercountylibrary.blogspot.com/2013/07/ocean-in-bottle-craft-for-kids.html?m=1

Ocean scene paper plate craft https://daisycottagedesigns.net/preschool-at-home-week-2/

Fish facts: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/outreach-and-education/fun-facts-about-fascinating-fish

Wolves are Wild!

I am So Clever written and illustrated by Mario Ramos

One glorious day the wolf meets Red Riding Hood strolling through the woods. She looks a clever girl, but the wolf knows who is the cleverest. He has a plan to outwit her. But this little girl is not so easily duped. And the wolf finds unexpected hazards in wearing a frilly petticoat in the deep dark woods.

Moon by Alison Oliver

Throughout her busy days, Moon wonders what it would be like to be wild and free until the day she meets a wolf and learns his “wolfy ways”.

The Three Horrid Little Pigs written and illustrated by Liz Pichon

When their mother sends them packing, three pigs find despicable ways to find new accommodations, but when the big, friendly wolf tries to show them the error of their ways, the pigs respond by huffing and puffing.

Bear and Wolf written and illustrated by Daniel Salmieri

Bear and Wolf become unlikely companions one winter’s evening when they discover each other out walking in the falling snow.

Red written and illustrated by Jed Alexander

Red is on her way through the woods to visit Grandmother when she meets the Big Bad Wolf. What are that Wolf and all of those woodland creatures up to? This version of the classic folktale ends a bit differently.

Little Wolf’s First Howling by Laura McGee Kvasnosky

Little Wolf can hardly wait. Tonight he will howl at the moon to the top of the sky. First, Big Wolf demonstrates traditional howling form: AAAAAAAAAAOOOOOooooooooo. Then it’s Little Wolf’s turn. He’s sure he is ready, but when the big moment comes, something happens.

When a Wolf is Hungry by Christine Naumann-Villemin

When Edmond Bigsnout, a lone wolf, sets out to satisfy his craving for a city rabbit, his efforts are foiled by apartment dwellers who think he is a new neighbor.

The wolf who Fell out of a Book by Thierry Robberecht

In this illustrated fractured fairy tale for kids, a book falls to the floor and a wolf tumbles out. The wolf needs to get back to his story, but a hungry cat has other ideas. Jumping from book to book, this wolf is on a journey to find a new home (and to avoid becoming dinner). His sharp, pointy teeth don’t help him fit in with the dinosaurs, and his shiny black fur doesn’t get him into the ball. But a little girl in a red hood is waiting for someone just like him to arrive.

The Wolf-Birds written and illustrated by Willow Dawson

In a story set deep in the wild winter wood, two hungry ravens fly in search of their next meal. A pack of wolves is on the hunt, too. Food is scarce, but, if they team up, the ravens and wolves just might be able to help each other. The ravens follow a pack of starving wolves on the hunt. The wolves come up empty handed and even lose one of their own in the chase but the ravens have better luck.

The Girl and the Wolf by Katherena Vermette

A young girl becomes lost in the woods after wandering too far away from her mother. Scared because she is lost, she encounters a large wolf who reminds her of her own ability to survive and find her mother again.

Nonfiction

I Wish I was a Wolf by Jennifer Bové

Introduces wolves, describing their physical features, what they eat, where they live, and how they care for their young.

Gray Wolves by Grace Hansen

Offers an illustrated introduction to gray wolves, looking at their habitats, characteristics, diet, behavior, and young.

Printable wolf mask: https://www.itsybitsyfun.com/printable-wolf-mask.html

Wolf Science: exploring the sense of smell: https://kidminds.org/wolf-science-exploring-sense-of-smell/

Cut-and-Paste Wolf Craft for Kids: http://keepinglifecreative.com/creative-projects/all-about-wolves

Snow Many Books!

Little Mole’s Wish written and illustrated by Sang-gŭn Kim

Little Mole has no friends since moving to a new home so he molds a snowball into a bear, wishing that it will come to life.

Snow Globe Wishes by Erin Dealey

After the worst snowstorm of the year, a young girl wishes on a snow globe that everyone will come out to play and share a dream of peace.

Peep and Ducky: It’s Snowing! By David Martin

What could be a more perfect toddler adventure? When the snow starts to fall, Peep and Ducky climb into their sleds for a race, landing happily on each other after hitting a bump. Then they’re on to building a snowman. But when the top half crashes, someone kicks snow and both friends get mad . . . until they crack each other up.

Good-bye, Winter! Hello, Spring! Written and illustrated by Kauo Iwamura

While out exploring Mick, Mack, and Molly take a ride on a fallen log and learn how the snow melts and ends up in the rivers and lakes and eventually in the sky.

Croc & Turtle: Snow Fun! Written and illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka

Best friends Croc and Turtle want to play together, but Croc only wants to do exciting things outside in the cold and Turtle wants to stay safe and warm inside.

The Snowy Nap by Jan Brett

After hearing about winter from his friends, Hedgie the hedgehog tries to stay awake to experience its wonders.

Snow sisters! By Kerri Kokias

Two sisters enjoy a snow day in their own unique ways, apart and then together.

Captain’s Log: Snowbound by Erin Dionne

Excited to give his report on explorer Ernest Shackleton in school, and frustrated by a monstrous snowstorm that has left his family and city snowbound, a boy imagines himself on a voyage where he and his crew (his family) are trapped by the ice, just like his favorite explorer and the ship Endurance.

Little Owl’s Snow written and illustrated by Divya Srinivasan

Little Owl looks forward to his first snowfall.

All Right Already!: a Snowy Story by Jory John

SNOW DAY! Duck is super excited and can’t wait to play in the snow with his best friend, Bear. Bear isn’t excited about playing with Duck, or going out in the snow. As always, he’d rather stay inside, where it’s warm and cozy. But can Bear resist his persistent friend? If so, who will play in the snow with poor Duck?!

Pablo in the Snow by Teri Sloat

The heartwarming tale of one little lamb’s first snowy adventure.

Snow Scene by Richard Jackson

A playful guessing game set in a snowy landscape.

Best in Snow by April Pulley Sayre

A photographic picture book about the wonder of snowfall and the winter water cycle.

Make frost on a can experiment: https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/how-to-make-frost-can-winter-science/

Frozen oobleck: https://inspirationlaboratories.com/frozen-oobleck/

Experiment with fake snow recipes: https://thehomeschoolscientist.com/fake-snow-stem-experiment/

Making ice grow: https://teachpreschool.org/2014/07/18/fun-with-frozen-making-ice-grow/

 

Australian Tales

D is for Down Under: An Australia Alphabet by Devin Scillian

Learn something about Australia for each letter of the alphabet.

Noni the Pony rescues a Joey written and illustrated by Alison Lester

Noni and her friends help a lost wallaby joey find his family.

Eee-Moo! By Annika Dunklee

Mistakenly believing himself to be an emu, a newly-hatched platypus sets out on a long journey, using various forms of transportation and aided by new friends, to reach Australia.

Welcome to Country: a Traditional Aboriginal Ceremony by Joy Murphy Wandin

Welcome to the lands of the Wurundjeri people. The people are part of the land, and the land is part of them. Aboriginal communities across Australia have boundaries that are defined by mountain ranges and waterways. Traditionally, to cross these boundaries, permission is required. Each community has its own way of greeting, but the practice shares a common name: a Welcome to Country. Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin, the senior Aboriginal elder of the Wurundjeri people, channels her passion for storytelling into a remarkable and utterly unique picture book that invites readers to discover some of the history and traditions of her people.

I’m an Immigrant too! By Mem Fox

Illustrations and simple, rhyming text reveal how all of our lives are enriched by the vibrant cultural diversity immigrants bring to their new communities.

Edwina the Emu by Sheena Knowles

When Edwina lays 10 eggs, her husband, Edward, is aghast. Edwina, however, decides to let Edward stay home while she looks for a job to raise the money for her big family.

Over in Australia: Amazing Animals Down Under by Marianne Berkes

A counting book in rhyme presents various Australian animals and their offspring, from a mother crocodile and her “little hatchling one” to a huge father emu and his “little chicks ten.” Includes related facts and activities.

Kersplatypus by Susan K. Mitchell

When a strange little creature appears out of nowhere after the big rains, Australian animals wonder what in the world he could possibly be…

Ready to Dream by Donna Jo Napoli

While drawing pictures of the animals she sees on her trip to Australia, a young girl named Ally meets Pauline, an aborigine woman and fellow artist, from whom Ally learns that art is not always created with just paper and paints, and that mistakes are actually happy accidents.

Ernie Dances to the Didgeridoo: for the Children of Gunbalanya by Alison Lester

When Ernie leaves the city and goes to live in the Aboriginal reserve of Arnhem Land, he sends letters to his old classmates describing the activities of his new friends.

Sun Mother Wakes the World: an Australian Creation Story by Diane Wolkstein

An Aboriginal creation story in which the Sun slowly brings life to the Earth.

Imaginative Play: Australian Outback: https://www.pinayhomeschooler.com/2016/01/imaginative-play-australian-outback.html

Australia Activities For Kids: https://www.danyabanya.com/australia/

Talking Soup!

Freedom Soup by Tami Charles

Every year, Haitians all over the world ring in the new year by eating a special soup, a tradition dating back to the Haitian Revolution. This year, Ti Gran is teaching Belle how to make the soup — Freedom Soup — just like she was taught when she was a little girl. Together, they dance and clap as they prepare the holiday feast, and Ti Gran tells Belle about the history of the soup, the history of Belle’s family, and the history of Haiti, where Belle’s family is from.

Every Color Soup written and illustrated by Jorey Hurley

Purple, yellow, orange, and red. Just the right mix of colored vegetables make a delicious soup in this tasty introduction to colors, counting, and veggies.

The Princess of Borscht by Leda Schubert

Ruthie’s grandmother, who is in the hospital with pneumonia, says she needs homemade borscht by five o’clock and young Ruthie, with the help of her neighbors, tries to make some even without the secret recipe.

Perfect Soup by Lisa Moser

Murray the mouse goes into town for the carrot he needs to make Perfect Soup, and soon finds himself with a chain of favors that will work only if a friendly snowman can help him gets things started.

Soup Day by Melissa Iwai

A mother and child spend a snowy day together buying and preparing vegetables, assembling ingredients, and playing while their big pot of soup bubbles on the stove. Includes a recipe for “Snowy Day Vegetable Soup”.

Surprise Soup by Mary Ann Rodman

When Kevie’s mother has a baby, Kevie, his older brother, and their father make soup for when the new baby comes home.

Nail Soup by Eric Maddern

A traveler stopping at a lonely cottage pulls a rusty nail from his pocket and starts to make nail soup for a grumpy old woman–proving that a merry heart and generous soul produce far better results than whines and demands.

10 Hungry Rabbits: Counting and Color concepts by Anita Lobel

Ten rabbits are hungry for supper but Mama Rabbit has nothing to put in her soup pot, so Papa sends the little ones to the garden where they discover increasing numbers of foods in many different colors.

Is That Wise, Pig? By Jan Thomas

Mouse and Cow are making soup, but Pig keeps trying to add strange ingredients.

Stone soup activity: https://booksandgiggles.com/stone-soup-science-activity/

Magnetic Letter Alphabet Soup: https://www.pre-kpages.com/magnetic-letter-alphabet-soup-activity/

Positively Polar Bears!

Sea Bear: a Journey for Survival written and illustrated by Lindsay Moore

A polar bear waits patiently for spring when the ice breaks up, but after months of hunting, paddling, and resting on ice floes, summer ends and the bear must swim very far to find land. Includes facts about polar bears and the effect of climate change on their environment.

Roly Poly by Mem Fox

Roly Poly the polar bear never wanted a brother, but then little Monty arrives and Roly Poly has to adjust to his new sibling.

Caspian Finds a Friend by Jacqueline Véissid

Caspian lives alone in a lighthouse surrounded by the cold gray-blue sea, longing for a friend; so one day he puts a message in a bottle and floats it away in the sea–but the friend who finds it is someone completely unexpected.

What if …? Then We: Short, Very Short, Shorter-Than-Ever Possibilities by Rebecca Kai Dotlich

Two polar bear friends have a thrilling adventure as they imagine solutions to a variety of possible situations; their story will show readers how to create their own tales in response to the question “What if…?

You’re Snug With Me by Chitra Sounder

A mother polar bear answers the questions of her two curious cubs about what lies beyond their cozy winter den as they wait for spring to arrive.

Leaf written and illustrated by Sandra Dieckmann

When a polar bear arrives unexpectedly in the woods, the animals fear and avoid him, suspecting him to be dangerous – and his habit of collecting leaves only adds to their distrust. Then one day, they watch as he attempts to fly over the water with wings made of colorful leaves … just trying to go home. Maybe he needs some help?

Welcome written and illustrated by Barroux

After the ice they’re living on breaks, three polar bears drift away and must find a new home.

Pup and Bear by Kate Banks

A stranded wolf cub is rescued and raised by a loving polar bear, and years later when he is grown into a wolf and on his own, he comes upon a lost polar bear cub, and the cycle begins again.

The Bear Report written and illustrated by Thyra Heder

Sophie is uninterested in writing a research report on polar bears until a polar bear named Olafur swoops her away to the Arctic, where she learns all about the playful bear’s habits and habitat, from glacier mice to Northern Lights.

Polar Bear Morning by Laura Thompson

A little polar bear cub ventures out of her den for the first time and meets a new friend.

Nanuk the Ice Bear written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter

At the top of the world, a polar bear hunts, swims, courts, raises cubs, and worries as they go off on their own.

Ice Bear and Little Fox by Jonathan London

Describes how a polar bear and the little fox that follows it survive over the course of a year in the Arctic. Includes afterword with facts about Arctic animals and Inuit peoples.

Ice Bear: in the Steps of the Polar Bear by Nicola Davies

Huge, magnificent, and solitary, a polar bear moves through the frozen Arctic. Powerful hunter, tireless swimmer, tender mother, gentle playmate — she is superbly adapted for surviving, even thriving, in this harsh and icy climate. Written in poetic language interspersed with fascinating facts, Nicola Davies’ breathtaking tale of this massive, stark white animal is brought to life in striking paintings by Gary Blythe.

Polar Bear Science Experiment: http://preschoolpowolpackets.blogspot.com/2016/01/polar-bear-science-experiment-stem.html

Polar Bear Paw Print Art Project: https://thecraftyclassroom.com/crafts/arctic-art-projects-for-kids/polar-bear-paw-print-art-project/

Polar Bear Paper bag craft: https://www.craftsonsea.co.uk/paper-bag-polar-bear-craft/

Polar bear masks: https://minnesotaminiaturesmarket.com/2017/12/egg-carton-masonry/