With all of the other headlines lately, I forgot to mention this. Both Pup 681 and Truman are finalists for the Colorado Book Award. Colorado Humanities and Center for the Book will announce the winners today at this virtual ceremony right here on Facebook Live.
https://www.facebook.com/events/261107828598260/
Lucy Ruth Cummins, Ashley Crowley, and I couldn’t be more honored.
I hope you’ll join the celebration!
Nearing the end of my book, Pup 681: A Sea Otter Rescue Story, our little pup draws comfort from the rhythmic rocking provided by her caregiver. Why? Because the rocking reminded her of the rhythm of the ocean waves. Young readers can easily learn the relationship between rhythms and patterns by exploring ocean rhythms and music rhythms with the exercise below.
While you don’t need my book Pup 681: A Sea Otter Rescue Story in front of you to do this activity, it’s always a bonus if you do. You can buy it right here. And if you’d like to support your local independent bookstore, buy it here.
For more activities, explore all of my FREE and fun Curriculum and Storytime Guides linked to learning standards at https://jeanreidy.com/schoolslibraries/
And for a complete list of all of my at-home learning activities so far, click on the #kidlitquarantine category. I’ll be posting projects regularly.
Have fun. Stay safe. And stay well.
Jean
When you change your point of view, your world grows. And that’s a beautiful thing.
The following activity shows young readers what it might mean to walk in someone else’s shoes – or see from their glasses if you will – changing their perspective or point of view. It’s based on my book, Truman.
And while you don’t need the book in front of you to do this activity, it’s always a bonus if you do. So, you can buy it right here. Or if you’d like to support your local independent bookstore, buy it here.
For more activities, explore all of my FREE and fun Curriculum and Storytime Guides linked to learning standards at https://jeanreidy.com/schoolslibraries/
And for a complete list of all of my at-home learning activities so far, click on the #kidlitquarantine category. I’ll be posting projects regularly.
Have fun. Stay safe. And stay well.
Jean
In my book Light Up the Night, a child ventures all through his universe – all the way from his galaxy to his bedroom. And his beloved red and white blanket becomes his rocket, his spaceship, his truck, his train, his plane, etc. as he travels. What a wonderful dream for any child.
Well, let’s take a little time to play off that dream. Where and how would your young readers want to travel on their own imaginary trip (to New York, to the equator, to Mars)? Then create their licenses and postcards below to document their travels.
And while you don’t need my book Light Up the Night in front of you to do this activity, it’s a bonus if you do. You can buy it right here.
For more activities, explore all of my FREE and fun Curriculum and Storytime Guides linked to learning standards at https://jeanreidy.com/schoolslibraries/
And for a complete list of all of my at-home learning activities so far, click on the #kidlitquarantine category. I’ll be posting projects regularly.
Have fun. Stay safe. And stay well.
Jean
If you think about it, there are dozens – if not hundreds – of ways to interact with a picture book. Exploring, discussing, and comparing details in the art are some of those ways.
The art of illustrator Leo Timmers is loaded with discoverable details. Just flip through a copy of my books All Through My Town and Busy Builders, Busy Week! to see what I mean.
Here’s one way to turn those details into a fun math and science activity.
And while you don’t need my book Busy Builders, Busy Week! in front of you to do this activity, it’s always a bonus if you do. You can buy it right here.
Or if you’d like to support your local independent bookstore, you can buy it here.
For more activities, explore all of my FREE and fun Curriculum and Storytime Guides linked to learning standards at https://jeanreidy.com/schoolslibraries/
And for a complete list of all of my at-home learning activities so far, click on the #kidlitquarantine category. I’ll be posting projects regularly.
Have fun. Stay safe. And stay well.
Jean
Photo courtesy of Climate Kids Nasa.
“April showers bring May flowers.” How many times have we heard that? Interestingly, the rain stick project below is based on my book When the Snow Is Deeper Than My Boots Are Tall. And here in Colorado, we’ve got as much chance of April snow as we have April showers. But we’ve got the entire month – and probably then some – to enjoy life-giving, spring rain. Below you’ll find a lively music/science/rain activity to celebrate.
While you don’t need When the Snow is Deeper Than My Boots Are Tall in front of you to do this activity, it’s always a bonus if you do. You can buy it right here. And if you’d like to support your local Indie bookstore, buy it here. 
For more activities, explore all of my FREE and fun Curriculum and Storytime Guides linked to learning standards at https://jeanreidy.com/schoolslibraries/
And for a complete list of all of my at-home learning activities so far, click on the #kidlitquarantine category. I’ll be posting projects regularly.
Have fun. Stay safe. And stay well.
Jean
When sea otter Pup 681, Luna, was found, she was so young and so tiny, the Shedd Aquarium staff had to teach her how to act like an otter – it was almost like going to school.
During my launch parties and book festivals for Pup 681: A Sea Otter Rescue Story, I invited young readers and listeners to attend “Sea Otter School” with me. So, with crepe paper kelp, beach balls, and shells for hiding, we learned so much about sea otter behaviors, that we earned our Sea Otter School diplomas and had a “wild” good time.
Now, it’s your turn to go to sea otter school. Learn and imitate how sea otters eat, swim, dive, glide, cry, wrap themselves in sea kelp, hide “treasures” in their under-arm pockets, and make a raft. Then, design your own diplomas and hold a graduation ceremony. Send me photos and I’ll post them to my blog.
All the sea otter behaviors can be found in my book Pup 681. You can buy it right here. And if you’d like to support your local independent bookstore, buy it here.
For more activities, explore all of my FREE and fun Curriculum and Storytime Guides linked to learning standards at: https://jeanreidy.com/schoolslibraries/
And for a complete list of all of my at-home learning activities so far, click on the #kidlitquarantine category. I’ll be posting projects regularly.
Have fun. Stay safe. And stay well.
Jean
What kid doesn’t love dinosaurs? And so do most adults. But while kids are often ready with names and facts, there are some dino details that remain a mystery. Adapted from my book Time Out for Monsters!, this creativity project combines paleontology and art – perfect for all ages.
You don’t need Time Out for Monsters! in front of you to do this activity, but it’s always a bonus if you do. You can buy it right here. And if you’d like to support your local, Indie bookstore, buy it here.
For more activities, explore all of my FREE and fun Curriculum and Storytime Guides linked to learning standards at: https://jeanreidy.com/schoolslibraries/
And for a complete list of all of my at-home learning activities so far, click on the #kidlitquarantine category. I’ll be posting projects regularly.
Have fun. Stay safe. And stay well.
Jean
Don’t we all love the amazing, free and fun programming offered by bookstores and public libraries? What a gift. But I know that with these community mainstays closed, families with little ones are missing their storytimes.
Well, here’s a fun, storytime, finger-play activity (below) to practice with your young readers and listeners. It’s based on my book Truman. And while you don’t need the book in front of you to do this activity, it’s always a bonus if you do. So, you can buy it right here. Or if you’d like to support your local independent bookstore, buy it here.
For more storytime activities, explore all of my FREE and fun Curriculum and Storytime Guides linked to learning standards at https://jeanreidy.com/schoolslibraries/
And for a complete list of all of my at-home learning activities so far, click on the #kidlitquarantine category. I’ll be posting projects regularly.
Have fun. Stay safe. And stay well.
Jean
Luna Photo Courtesy of the Chicago Tribune and Brenna Hernandez/Shedd Aquarium/EPA.
Luna, the sea otter pup at the center of my story Pup 681 became a true celebrity when the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago teamed up with Good Morning America to hold a contest for her naming. But until she was named, she was referred to as “Pup 681” – the 681st otter to enter the otter rescue program at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, where she started her journey. I love the name Luna and how that name reflects the place where she was found – Half Moon Bay in California. But I also love that young sea otters are called “pups.”
Baby animal names can often be so surprising. I think you and your young readers will have fun identifying those names below. While you don’t need my book Pup 681: A Sea Otter Rescue Story in front of you to do this activity, it’s always a bonus if you do. And you can buy it right here.
For more activities, explore all of my FREE and fun Curriculum and Storytime Guides linked to learning standards at https://jeanreidy.com/schoolslibraries/
And for a complete list of all of my at-home learning activities so far, click on the #kidlitquarantine category. I’ll be posting projects regularly.
Have fun. Stay safe. And stay well.
Jean
