Imagine Your Story: Mermaids

Mabel: A Mermaid Fable by Rowboat Watkins

A picture book about a mermaid named Mabel, who unlike the rest of her family does not have a moustache, and the seven-armed octopus who becomes her friend and helps her see that she is just right the way she is.

Mermaid and Me written and illustrated by Soosh

A girl and a mermaid become best friends as they figure out how to enjoy their favorite things together, but when the shore becomes unsafe Mermaid must leave, promising to return.

Pearl written and illustrated by Molly Schaar Idle

When young Pearl, a mermaid, becomes caretaker of a single grain of sand, she discovers that performing even the smallest task well can transform the world.

Julián is a Mermaid written and illustrated by Jessica Love

While riding the subway home from the pool with his abuela one day, Julián notices three women spectacularly dressed up. Their hair billows in brilliant hues, their dresses end in fishtails, and their joy fills the train car. When Julián gets home, daydreaming of the magic he’s seen, all he can think about is dressing up just like the ladies in his own fabulous mermaid costume: a butter-yellow curtain for his tail, the fronds of a potted fern for his headdress. But what will Abuela think about the mess he makes — and even more importantly, what will she think about how Julián sees himself?

The Mermaid written and illustrated by Jan Brett

Set in the ocean off Japan, this retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears stars Kiniro, a mermaid, who finds a baby octopus’s breakfast, chair, and bed just right.

The Mermaid and the Shoe by K.G. Campbell

Each of King Neptune’s 50 mermaid daughters boasts a special talent, except for little Minnow, who seems to be good only at asking questions. When she finds a strange object, Minnow follows her questions to a wondrous place and finds answers, including the answer to the most important question of all: Who am I? A gorgeously illustrated story about finding one’s purpose.

Wordless book

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.

Nonfiction:

Mermaids by Charlotte Guillain

Introduces mermaids and the legends told about them in different countries around the world.

Mermaid Tail sensory bottle: https://rhythmsofplay.com/glittering-mermaid-tail-sensory-bottle/

Paper Plate Mermaid Twirler: https://www.redtedart.com/paper-plate-mermaid-twirler/

Mermaid Ice Excavation: https://mamapapabubba.com/2016/07/06/mermaid-ice-excavation/

Swimming Mermaid Craft – Printable Curl Animation: https://kidscraftroom.com/swimming-mermaid-craft-printable-curl-animation/

DIY Mermaid Sensory Writing Tray: https://lemonlimeadventures.com/diy-mermaid-sensory-writing-tray/

How to Make a Mermaid Tail Using Household Items: https://www.momtrends.com/kids/how-to-make-a-mermaid-tail-using-household-items

Imagine Your Story: Kings and Queens

The Cook and the King by Donaldson, Julia.

A hungry but finicky king wants Wobbly Bob as his new cook, but must pitch in to do everything the cook is afraid to do, from fishing to frying.

The King of Kindergarten by Barnes, Derrick

Instilled with confidence by his parents, a young boy has a great first day of kindergarten.

Once Upon a Goat by Dan Richards

When a proper king and queen ask their fairy godmother for a child, they find themselves gifted instead with a baby goat.

Queen on Wednesday written and illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska

When Thelma is bored, she decides to become a queen but the responsibilities are so great that she soon has a royal headache.

How the Queen Found the Perfect Cup of Tea by Kate Hosford

A pampered queen sets out in a hot air balloon with her butler, James, in search of the perfect cup of tea and after stopping in Japan, India, and England, she returns home knowing exactly what she has been missing.

Mr. Squirrel and the King of the Forest written and illustrated by Sebastian Meschenmoser

Mr. Squirrel is back in another hilarious tale. Mr. Squirrel can’t believe his eyes–an unknown, mysterious creature is under his tree. It must be the legendary King of the Forest. Will the king share his wisdom to Mr. Squirrel and the other animals and help them have a better life, as legend has it? In fact, the king tells the animals his only and most important rule of life. But as it turns out, it’s anything but royal…

In a Small Kingdom by Tomie DePaola

This folkloric picture book tells the story of a magical robe that goes missing, and the kingdom that hangs in the balance

King Alice written and illustrated by Matthew Cordell

A young girl wakes her father by informing him that she is King Alice, then draws him and other family members into her imaginative activities, from writing a book to a sleepover with fairies.

I Want my Dad! Written and illustrated by Tony Ross

When the Little Princess discovers that her dad, the King, is not as adventurous as the other dads, she decides to give some fun activities a try without him and realizes she is more like her father than she thought.

Kings of the Castle by Victoria Turnbull

George wants to build a sand castle that would turn any monster green, but when he meets the strangest creature he has ever seen, the night takes an unexpected turn.

His Royal Highness, King Baby: a terrible true story by Sally Lloyd-Jones

On one horrible day, a new ruler is born into a young princess’s family: a ruler she dubs His Royal Highness, King Baby. This small interloper is so smelly. He is so noisy. And all the talk in the Land is about him (Such a nice burp! Oh, what a lovely poo-poo!), nonstop, ALL THE TIME! Has there ever been such an era of wicked rule?

Buoyancy and density science for kids: King Arthur’s sword: http://www.theusualmayhem.com/2016/01/buoyancy-and-density-science-for-kids-king-arthurs-sword/

Castle lap book: http://littlewhiteschoolhouse.blogspot.com/2008/11/castle-lap-book.html?m=1

Imagine Your Story: Knights!

The Evil Princess vs. the Brave Knight by Jennifer L. Holm

Meet the Evil Princess and the Brave Knight. She casts terrible spells, while he fights dragons. He rescues cats in distress, while she makes mischief. No wonder there isn’t much peace in this kingdom! But is the Evil Princess really so evil? And is the Brave Knight truly as chivalrous as he seems?

The Knight Who Said “No!” by Lucy Rowland

Ned the knight always does exactly what he is told, but when a dragon swoops into town, he decides for the first time to say “no.”

The Wall in the Middle of the Book written and illustrated by Jon Agee

A knight who feels secure on his side of the wall that divides his book discovers that his side is not as safe as he thought, and the other side is not as threatening.

Prince & Knight by Daniel Haack

A prince and a knight in shining armor find true love in each other’s embrace after fighting a dragon together.

Brianna Bright, Ballerina Knight written by Pam Calvert and illustrated by Liana Hee

When Princess Brianna Bright’s dreams of becoming a ballerina seem doomed, she knows it’s time to find out exactly what it is she’s destined to do. Discovering her true talent won’t be easy–but Brianna won’t give up, especially not with her trusty dog, Pixie, at her side!

The Sword in the Stove written and illustrated by Frank W. Dormer

A quirky picture book in the spirit of Monty Python about two bumbling knights who keep finding objects in a stove (a sword, a shield, a helmet) … objects that ominously belong to their missing friend Harold.

The Storybook Knight by Helen Docherty

Ordered by his parents to tame a dragon, a gentle knight who prefers reading to fighting arms himself with a book.

Sleepless Knight by James Sturm

The Knight can’t wait for her first camping trip. She and her horse Edward pack everything they need–including her beloved Teddy–and head out into the woods. But when it’s time for bed, Teddy is nowhere to be found. Instructions for drawing the Knight, horse, rabbit, and bear on lining papers and pages after/before them.

Ogres Awake! By James Sturm

The knight and her horse, Edward, have made a startling discovery: there are three huge ogres asleep at her doorstep! When they wake up, the kingdom is in big trouble! The knight, Edward, and some garden gnomes fight back, not with swords and shields, but with potato peelers and spoons. It turns out that ogres are pretty friendly when they have full stomachs! The endpapers provide quick drawing lessons for the knight, Edward, the gnomes, and the ogres.

The Making of a Knight: how Sir James earned his armor by Patrick O’Brien

Traces James’s journey during the Middle Ages in England from inexperienced page at the age of seven to knighthood at the age of twenty-one.

The Knight and the Dragon by Tomie DePaola

What happens when a sheepish knight and a not-so-fierce dragon fight for the very first time? Well, it’s no ordinary battle since the knight has to go to the castle library to learn about dragon-fighting and the dragon must dig through his ancestor’s things to find out how to fight a knight!

Nonfiction

Knights and Castles by Rupert Matthews

From armor to jousting, Knights and Castles covers everything there is to know about knights and medieval castles.

Knights and Castles takes an up-close look at the history of knights, their chivalrous code, the battles they fought, and more. Learn about the heroic actions of famous knights, including El Cid and Sir John Hawkwood, and the monks who took up arms to protect pilgrims.

International Heraldry & Heralds – shield shapes and information: http://www.internationalheraldry.com/

Stick bow and arrow craft for Kids: https://artsycraftsymom.com/stick-bow-and-arrow/

Cardboard swords: http://www.ikatbag.com/2010/11/we-have-weapons.html

Popsicle stick catapult: http://www.sylvanlearning.com/blog/index.php/critical-thinking-with-a-catapult/

Exploring Nature

Mae the Mayfly by Denise Brennan-Nelson

Soon after Mae the mayfly hatches she is nearly eaten by a trout, sending her into hiding, but knowing she has only one day to enjoy the world gives her courage to venture out again.

Nesting by Henry Cole

Two robins build a nest together and raise their chicks, navigating a year of changing seasons and serpentine predators.

Green on Green by Dianne White

Illustrations and simple, rhyming text highlight the animals, fruits, feelings, and colors that characterize each season of the year.

Outside In by Deborah Underwood

Illustrations and easy-to-read text reveal ways nature affects our everyday lives, such as providing food and clothing, and showing when to go to bed and when to get up.

Southwest Sunrise by Nikki Grimes

Jayden expects to see nothing but brown his first morning in New Mexico, but after being surprised by colorful rocks, flowers, birds, and animals, he wonders if this place could become home.

In Paris, Lenny has trouble starting to compose his symphony until he discovers that there is music all around him in everyday life.

On My Mountain by François Aubineau

Both the shepherd and the wolf live on the mountain. They love their home and want to feel safe there. This book tells the same story, in identical words, from both the wolf’s perspective and that of the shepherd. Read the wolf’s story then flip it over and read the shepherd’s story and see the landscape that each of them sees. A good reminder of how humans should behave in the wild and on this earth that we share.

A Stone Sat Still written and illustrated by Brendan Wenzel

Told in rhyming verse, a stone is considered from a variety of environmental and emotional perspectives, as it sits where it is, surrounded by grass, dirt, and water, an unchanging certainty in the world.

The Hike written and illustrated by Alison Farrell

Three friends set out on a day hike to explore their local forest, intending to climb to the top of the hill, where they will plant a flag, read a poem, and release feathers into the wind.

At The Pond written and illustrated by Geraldo Valério

On a dull gray day, a boy puts his dog on a leash and they walk to a shimmering pond where snowy white swans swim freely. One of the swans invites the boy and dog for a ride. They climb on its back and sail into a stunningly beautiful landscape, dotted with wildflowers, spoonbills and ibises. Foxes, rabbits and deer appear in this paradise, then butterflies and even bigger, more beautiful flowers. Geraldo Valério, a master of wordless picture books, explores the nature of true friendship and love in his newest creation.

My Mindful Walk with Grandma by Sheri Mabry

When a girl walks through the woods with her Grandma, she is so excited about their destination that she misses out on what is around her, but with Grandma’s help, she learns how to breathe, be peaceful, and find herself in nature.

Nature Scavenger Hunt: https://www.mrsmerry.com/free-nature-scavenger-hunt-printable/

Nature I Spy tray https://busytoddler.com/2016/05/nature-i-spy-with-toddlers/

Outdoor Sticky Nature Mural: https://www.icanteachmychild.com/outdoor-sticky-mural-for-toddlers/