Elementary librarians are always on the hunt for, not only, new books to read-aloud, but for those activities that will extend those new books! Well, look no further. Here are some of my favorite December books with a few ideas of activities to pair with them.
A Great Book for After Thanksgiving
This may seem like an unusual book to recommend for the month of December, but Fry Bread by Kevin Maillard is PERFECT for beginning discussions on traditions, and what better month to do that? The vibrant illustrations complement the narrative, depicting scenes of families coming together, sharing meals, and passing down the tradition of making fry bread through generations. The book not only highlights the joy and deliciousness of fry bread but also touches on the complex history and cultural diversity of Native American peoples.
Have the students think about their favorite Thanksgiving food. Did they make it with someone in the family? Ask them to think about the month of December and what traditional foods that they are looking forward to. Have them draw a picture of their favorite.
A Truly Beautiful Holiday Story
Dasher by Matt Tavares is beautiful, both in its illustrations and narration. Dasher is a young reindeer who is forced to spend her days in a traveling circus. However, she dreams of a new life, one with snow all around her and the North Star directly overhead. One day, a gate is left open and Dasher takes the opportunity to follow her dreams. She is off on an adventure! When deep in the forest, she meets a man in a red suit , her entire world is changed forever. And so is the legendary story of St. Nicholas.
Candlewick’s Activities … Don’t you LOVE when a publisher provides free printable activities for one of your favorite books!! Click HERE to download a Dasher Activity Kit, with a printable puzzle, maze, and word search.
Honor Those Soldier's Who Have Fallen
On Christmas Eve in 1914, soldiers in the midst of the First World War put down their weapons and declared a temporary truce. In “Shooting at the Stars,” John Hendrix captures this historic event. The story follows a young soldier named Charlie as he experiences the magic of the Christmas Truce. The soldiers, entrenched in the harsh reality of war, decide to lay down their arms for a brief period. Enemies become friends as they share food, exchange gifts, and even engage in a friendly game of soccer in no-man’s-land.
