Tails and Tales: Alligators!

AAAlligator! Written by Judith Henderson

When a boy encounters and alligator while hiking in the woods, he immediately jumps back and cries, “AAAlligator!”. But he soon realizes the alligator needs his help, so he bravely steps up, even though he is afraid. His good deed done, he heads home, thinking that was the end of that. But later that evening, he hears a rustling outside his window — the alligator! Waiting … but not in a hungry way. Over time, the boy and the alligator become friends — and one day, they venture into town. “AAAlligator! AAAlligator!” the townspeople cry. Everyone is very upset — especially the mayor, who makes an official proclamation: “NO ALLIGATORS, blah, blah, blah.”

Nobody’s Duck written by Mary Sullivan

When a duck mysteriously arrives on an alligator’s lawn, they set off to discover just who the duck belongs to. From the library to skydiving, from exasperation to laughter, the two make an unexpected discovery about friendship.

Dance is for Everyone written and illustrated by Andrea Zuill

An alligator dancing ballet? When the reptile takes her place at the barre, Mrs. Iraina and her dancers are very surprised. But since they can’t communicate with the alligator–and she is able to follow along–they just decide to name her Tanya and let her stay. (Would YOU say no to a 450-pound alligator?) Mrs. Iraina even creates a special ballet to showcase Tanya’s larger-than-life talents…and super-swishy tail. Then, without warning, Tanya disappears. Funny and irreverent, Dance Is for Everyone shows that, with just a little understanding, anyone can fit in–even a dancing alligator.

Snappsy the Alligator and his Best Friend Forever (probably) written by Julie Falatko

Snappsy the alligator wants to spend a quiet evening reading, but a pesky chicken who insists he is Snappsy’s best friend will not leave him alone.

Snappsy the Alligator (did not ask to be in this book!) written by Julie Falatko

Snappsy’s ordinary day is interrupted by a meddling narrator.

Gator Dad written and illustrated by Brian Lies

From seemingly mundane tasks such as grocery shopping to more active pursuits like a romp at the park and fort-building, a loving and playful father alligator shows his gator kids that the simplest pleasures done together can make for an incredibly fun day.

Hurry up, Alfie! Written by Anna Walker

It’s time to get dressed and go the park, but Alfie is still in his pajamas. Putting on clothes seems like the least appealing thing to do for this energetic and curious little alligator, especially when there are so many amusing distractions.

Non fiction

Alligators and Crocodiles written by Ellis M. Reed

Explores the similarities between alligators and crocodiles, and how to tell them apart. Discover how traits like teeth, snout shape, and habitat can be used to identify these fearsome reptiles. Additional features include a side-by-side comparison of the animals, an activity encouraging readers to demonstrate their knowledge, a phonetic glossary, sources for further reading, an introduction to the author, and an index.

Alligators by Stephanie Fitzgerald

Did you know that alligators are the largest reptiles in North America or that they survived the mass-extinction that wiped out most animals on the planet 65 million years ago? Learn fascinating facts like these and more all in the pages of this book!

Alligator activities:http://: https://jackofalltrades-leslie.blogspot.com/2019/05/preschool-exploring-alligators.html

Alligator clothespin craft:: http://thinkcrafts.com/blog/2017/02/16/clothespin-crocodile/

Tails and Tales: Elephants

The Elephants’ Guide to Hide-and-Seek written by Kjersten Hayes

The Elephant Hobby and Sport League provides tips for elephants who love their human friends but are tired and frustrated by their own inability to hide and not be found.

Elmer’s Birthday written and illustrated by David McKee

The elephants decide it’s their turn to play a trick on Elmer: all of the animals must pretend to forget his birthday tomorrow! But when the day comes the trick doesn’t quite go according to plan. The elephants should have listened to Elmer’s friends … A new tale to celebrate Elmer the Patchwork Elephant’s 30th birthday from master-storyteller David McKee, this is the twenty-seventh Elmer storybook!

The Goose Egg written and illustrated by Liz Wong

Henrietta the elephant’s serene life is disrupted when a baby goose comes to stay, but after Goose finally leaves, Henrietta no longer enjoys the quiet.

Meet Miss Fancy written by Irene Latham

Ten-year-old African American boy wants to welcome the circus elephant named Miss Fancy to her new home in a nearby park, but he is disappointed to see a sign – No Colored Allowed.

A Parade of Elephants written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes

Illustrations and easy-to-read text introduce such basic concepts as adjectives, adverbs, daytime, and nighttime as they follow five elephants marching from dawn to dusk.

Let’s Go! written and illustrated by Sarah Williamson

Beep! beep! colors and sounds collide as Tuski the elephant gets ready for adventure. And there’s room for everyone in Tuski’s red taxi.

That Fruit is Mine! Written and illustrated by Anuska Allepuz

When five fruit-loving elephants spot a scrumptious hard-to-reach fruit high up in a tree, it’s a race to see who can claim it first! But after one too many fumbles, the elephants begin to lose their cool, and the highly coveted fruit is whisked away by the teeny-tiniest of all jungle creatures–mice! The elephants soon realize they have a lot to learn from this cooperative little bunch.

Can Somebody Please Scratch My Back? Written by John Jory

Elephant has a massive itch that no one can scratch, so Elephant is forced to help himself–or so he thinks.

Nonfiction

Baby Elephant Joins the Herd

 Written by the American Museum of Natural History

A baby elephant is born in the African savannah. She joins a group of elephants, called a herd. Follow along as the calf experiences eating, playing, and using her trunk during her first years of life. Baby Elephant Joins the Herd is filled with facts that will engage young readers in a fun way. Follow along as one baby elephant explores the world around her.

The Elephant written and illustrated by Jenni Desmond

Elephants have roamed the Earth for millions of years, but only two species remain in the world today: the African elephant and the Asian elephant. Though African and Asian elephants are noticeably different, these enormous, intelligent animals have many similarities, too. Their trunks are powerful enough to pick up even the smallest of berries. With their amazing memories, they find watering holes they haven’t visited in years. Their cushioned feet can detect the powerful footfalls of other elephants from six miles away. And, just as humans are right-handed or left-handed, elephants can be right-tusked or left-tusked!

Elephant facts: https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/animals/general-animals/elephant-facts/

Parts of an elephant printable: https://www.homeschoolingmykinetickids.com/2016/06/parts-of-elephant-booklet.html

Sponge Painted Elmer craft: https://buggyandbuddy.com/sponge-painting-elmer-elephant/

Tails and Tales: Myths and Fables

Cyclops of Central Park by Madelyn Rosenberg

Cyclops knows the world is a scary place: the grass is too sharp, the carousels are too twirly, and not all restaurants serve spaghetti. If the world isn’t safe for a cyclops, it certainly isn’t a safe place for a missing sheep! And so he sets off to face the many “dangers” lurking in New York City to bring Eugene home. To do so, he will have to face his fears and call for some reinforcements–his other fluffy sheep friends back at the cave. Together, they just might find Eugene and have a fun time in the city. Which goes to show, there is no place like home, but sometimes new experiences make our world a bigger and brighter place.

Feathered Serpent and the Five Suns: A Mesoamerican Creation Myth written by Duncan Tonatiuh

This pre-Columbian creation myth tells the story of Quetzalcoatl, one of the most important deities in ancient Mesoamerica, and his quest to create humankind. The gods tried to make humans during each sun, or age, but each time failed. So when they grew tired, only one did not give up: Quetzalcoatl, also called the Feathered Serpent. Determined, the Feathered Serpent embarks on a dangerous journey full of fearsome foes and harsh elements, facing each trial with wisdom, bravery, and resourcefulness before confronting his final challenge at Mictlan, the underworld.

The Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two volcanoes written and illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh

Award-winning author Duncan Tonatiuh reimagines one of Mexico’s cherished legends. Princess Izta had many wealthy suitors but dismissed them all. When a mere warrior, Popoca, promised to be true to her and stay always by her side, Izta fell in love. The emperor promised Popoca if he could defeat their enemy Jaguar Claw, then Popoca and Izta could wed. When Popoca was near to defeating Jaguar Claw, his opponent sent a messenger to Izta saying Popoca was dead. Izta fell into a deep sleep and, upon his return, even Popoca could not wake her. As promised Popoca stayed by her side.

Ganesha’s Sweet Tooth written by Sanjay Patel

An original story based on Hindu mythology, this book tells the story about how Ganesha’s love of sweets led to a broken tusk and the writing of the epic poem, the Mahābhārata.

Mabe: a Mermaid Fable written 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.

Lion and Mouse written by Jairo Buitrago

A modern update on the classic fable of the lion and the mouse shares the relationship between two unlikely friends.

Under the Great Plum Tree written by Sufiya Ahmed

An unlikely friendship between Miss Bandari and Mr. Magarmach forms when the pair meet under the great plum tree, deep in the heart of India. Mr. Magarmach is old and his hunting days are over but Miss Bandari loves hearing his stories as they munch plums together. One day their friendship is tested but with courage, trust and forgiveness they discover that living happily together tastes just as sweet as Miss Bandari’s golden plums. The story of the monkey and the crocodile is a fable from the Panchatantra, an ancient Indian collection of animal fables dated to 300 BCE. But it’s a tale from around the world and versions can be found in Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, China, Japan and the Caribbean.

The Fate of Fausto: A Painted Fable written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

A selfish man sets out to prove that he is the boss of everything he surveys.

Eduardo Guadardo, Elite Sheep written by Anthony Pearson

Eduardo Guadardo may look fluffy. He may look cute. But he’s no little lamb. He’s about to graduate from the FBI–that’s the Fairytale Bureau of Investigations–as an Elite Sheep. He knows five forms of kung fu, and he can outfox the foxiest of foxes. In fact, he’s so good they put him on his own case: to keep the farmer’s daughter, Mary, safe from Wolf, Troll, and Witch. It’s a job for somebody baaaaaaad–someone like a soon-to-be Elite Sheep. The thing is, protecting Mary isn’t quite as easy as Eduardo expected.

Lion and Mouse Fable activities: https://www.thingstoshareandremember.com/fun-lion-the-mouse-fable-activities/

Mythical playscapes: https://www.kcedventures.com/blog/create-your-own-playscape?epik=dj0yJnU9YkFBNzZ0d0sxNy1zYS1TYnI4RmlFTEFfeUhQN0R0eXomcD0wJm49RUw0NjVCZWk5WDhNWnQ2VVVLdDlEUSZ0PUFBQUFBR0FZa1lZ