Mud and Muddy Fun!

Alphonse, There’s Mud on the Ceiling! Written and illustrated by Daisy Hirst

Natalie and Alphonse mostly like living in a flat on the seventh floor. They love playing drive the double-decker bed and doing roly-polies in the hall. But when the two monster siblings invent a game of wriggly worms in the jungle…oh dear! “OW!” SHFLWUMP! That is not a good game for indoors! Will this adorably rambunctious pair ever manage to create a magical, wild camping experience in their little apartment? From the award-winning Daisy Hirst comes a story sure to inspire families to explore the great outdoors before finding the perfect balance again back home.

Roy Digs Dirt written and illustrated by David Shannon

Roy is a West Highland terrier who loves to dig in the dirt and mud; sometimes he buries things, and sometimes he finds things, but mostly he just likes to dig–even though he does not like the bath that may follow the digging.

Rot, the Bravest in the World! Written and illustrated by Ben Clanton, Ben, 1988- author, illustrator

Rot the mutant potato must find a way to face his fear after his big brother, Snot, tells him there may be a dangerous Squirm in the magnificent mud pit he found.

How do you Take a Bath? Written by Kate McMullan

A whimsical rhyming picture book reveals the way familiar animals, from elephants and pigs to monkeys and hippos, take baths, and how human children do not take baths by sinking in mud, thrashing about in dust or licking themselves clean.

Mudkin written by Stephen Gammell

While playing outside on a rainy day, a little girl peers into a puddle and sees Mudkin, who invites her to become his queen.

Rain School written by James Rumford

The children arrive on the first day of school and build a mud structure to be their classroom for the next nine months until the rainy season comes and washes it all away.

Mud activities: https://runwildmychild.com/ways-to-have-fun-with-mud/

International Mud Day Activities for Preschoolers

Fun in the Forest!

Beneath written and illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld

Finn is in a bad mood, so his grandfather takes him on a walk in the forest, and tells him about all the things that are beneath the surface of plants and animals–and even people.

On the Other Side of the Forest written by Nadine Robert

What’s on the other side of the forest? A young rabbit and his father are determined to find out in this modern picture book that feels like a classic, calling to mind the tender work of Beatrix Potter. Some say that wolves, ogres, and giant badgers live in the forest beside Arthur’s house. That’s why no one ever goes in there, to see what’s on the other side. But one day, Arthur’s dad has an idea–a magnificent idea! Build a tower to look over the treetops! But a magnificent idea takes a lot of work. Will the villagers join and help them? And when the tower takes shape, what will they see on the other side?

The Thingity-jig written by Kathleen Doherty

Under the light of a silvery moon, Bear wanders into people town and discovers a springy thing, a bouncy thing–a sit-on-it, jump-on-it thing! This Thingity-Jig is too heavy to carry home by himself, so Bear runs back to the woods and asks for help. Too bad for Bear, his friends are sleepy and shoo him away. So Bear invents a Rolly-Rumpity to wheel the Thingity-Jig home, but then it all gets stuck in the mud! How will Bear tackle this bump in the road?

Full Moon written and illustrated by Camilla Pintonato

As the sun sets, the little gray rabbits are busy in their secret workshop, but what could they be making? Follow along as the rabbits prepare for the big event, inviting all of their forest friends to the celebration. The mice, foxes, porcupines, and other forest creatures gather as the full moon rises, and finally the big surprise is revealed.

Hugo and the Impossible Thing written by Renée Felice Smith

All the forest animals know it is impossible to make it through the Impossible Thing, but a small dog named Hugo is determined to try, inspiring hope in his friends.

The Belonging Tree written by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

A young squirrel disagrees with his parents who want to exclude such newcomers as the blue jays, chipmunks, and beavers from the squirrels’ woodland neighborhood.

Nonfiction

Let’s Play Outdoors!: exploring nature for children written by Cath Ard

A book that encourages children to go and play outside and discover what nature has to offer. Leave the house and roam into the nature: It is a fascinating place, waiting to be conquered by little ones with curious minds. Whether in the garden, park, or a nearby forest, a closer look at nature will draw out budding architects, their first constructions built from stones, branches, and leaves; a thorough investigation of trees will reveal all kinds of insects; and listening to the animals around will teach their sounds.

Nature sensory board: https://www.funathomewithkids.com/2013/02/nature-sensory-board-it-was-nice-day.html

Forest animal puppets:https://teaching2and3yearolds.com/forest-animals-puppets/

Forest animals, trees and leaves activities: https://www.prekinders.com/forest-theme/

Tales of Snails!

The Snail With the Right Heart: a true story written by Maria Popova

This is the real-life story of Jeremy, a rare garden snail found in 2015 by a retired London scientist. Jeremy’s shell spiraled to the left, indicating reversed internal anatomy–including a heart positioned on the right. As a result, a similarly rare mate was needed in order to procreate.

Snail Crossing written and illustrated by Corey R. Tabor

Determined to make his way to a plump, crisp cabbage across the road, Snail risks speeding cars and hungry crows during a long and slow journey, before getting lost while helping a crew of ants escape a rainstorm.

A Book for Escargot written by Dashka Slater

Bored with eating salad, our French snail hero peruses the library stacks, looking for a cookbook.

The Someone New written by Jill Twiss

What do you do when Someone New comes knocking on your door? Do you turn them away? Or do you let them in? Jitterbug the chipmunk likes when things stay the same. So when Someone New comes into her woods one day, Jitterbug worries that everything will be different. With the help of her friends, can Jitterbug learn to welcome the Someone New?

Marigold & Daisy written and illustrated 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.

On a Magical Do-nothing Day written by Béatrice Alemagna

Sent outside by their mother on a rainy day, a child is dismayed when their handheld game falls into the pond before they encounter giant snails, wet mushrooms, and other elements that awaken them to the sensory aspects of nature.

Snail Finds a Home written and illustrated by Mary Peterson

Snail is a merry little mollusk in his rusty bucket filled with strawberries. Strawberries are his favorite treat, but when he eats himself sick, his best friend Ladybug tells him he has to move away from the yummy red fruit. She takes him looking for a forever home, but Snail roams away from his friend and runs into a hungry Chicken. Rut-roh! Will he make it to his new home or be a tasty treat for this famished, feathered fiend?

Nonfiction

Snails are Just My Speed! Written and illustrated 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-up’s hand? This book mixes snail science, art, and hilarity to answer these questions.

Paper snail craft: https://kindergartennation.com/snail-craft/

Snail coloring sheet: https://www.woojr.com/spring-preschool-worksheets-shapes-trace/cute-snail-hidden-objects/

Snail activities: http://www.rubberbootsandelfshoes.com/2017/08/snails.html

Bears, Bears, Everywhere!

Will We Always Hold Hands? Written by Christopher Cheng

There are some things that only a best friend can do–hold your hand when reading a scary story, carry you safely across a river, bandage your hurts, say it is okay if you are grouchy, and best of all, forever hold you in their heart.

The Bears Shared written and illustrated by Kim Norman

A den of hibernating bears and a family of birds find warmth and shelter during a storm by sharing what they have.

Bear With Me written and illustrated by Noemi Vola

What do you do with a bear who won’t leave? When a bear comes to stay, no one expects him to stay too long! But his arrival changes everything, from sleeping to shopping to hanging out with friends. If even dinosaurs and math problems can’t drive him away, what are you supposed to do? Featuring quirky, energetic illustrations, this amusing tale suggests we can learn to live with even the most unbearable company.

Letters from Bear written by David Gauthier

Bear sends updates on her adventures as she travels to visit Bird, who has migrated south for the winter.

The More the Merrier written by David Martin

Stepping high, galumphing low, leaping fast, wiggling slow. “I like your moves. But I’m not like you. So I’ll just do what I can do.” Some like to kick their feet and bend their knees to the music. Others prefer to slip and slide . . . or swoop down . . . or skip high and low! Whatever their style, children will be drawn by David Martin’s buoyant rhymes and Raissa Figueroa’s vibrant illustrations as Bear, Moose, Snake, and other forest animals dance to their own groove in a rhythmic celebration of individuality.

The Bear and the Moon written by Matthew Burgess

When the gift of a balloon floats into Bear’s life, the two companions embark on a journey of discovery as small as a clearing in the forest . . . and as deep as the sky.

The Moon Keeper written by Zosienka

Emile has a new job as moon keeper. He spends his evenings making sure the moon has everything it needs to shine its light over the night creatures. Night after night he keeps watch over the moon–clearing away the clouds and telling the fruit bats to move along when they play too close. Emile finds the moon nice to talk to in the stillness of the night. But what happens when the moon starts to change and slowly disappears?

There are No Bears in this Bakery written by Julia Sarcone-Roach

A tough gumshoe of a cat–the name’s Muffin–protects his territory: The Little Bear Bakery. But there are no bears here. Not on Muffin’s watch.

One night, Muffin hears a suspicious noise. Mouse? Raccoon? Bat? Nope, not the usual suspects. But Muffin hears . . . growling. Could it be? Yup. A bear. Just a cub. Whose stomach is definitely growling. Muffin’s got this case solved–clearly this bear needs some donuts.

Nonfiction

All about Bears written by Jennifer Szymanski

Introduces bears, describing the different types of bears, where they live, what they eat, and how they care for their young.

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Map & Binoculars craft: https://buggyandbuddy.com/going-bear-hunt-map-activity/

Cardboard Tube Bear Craft: https://creativefamilyfun.net/cardboard-tube-bear/

Hibernating puppet pals: https://www.lovetoteach.org/by-subject/science/hibernating-animal-puppets.html

Feed the Bear Alphabet Activity: https://funlearningforkids.com/feed-the-bear-alphabet-activity/