Picture Book Pair for a Fun Fall Story Time

by Rebecca J. Gomez Pairing two or more picture books with similar themes can open up a world of discussion possibilities, and those discussions are great ways to connect with your children or students. It can be fascinating to see how different authors and illustrators approach different topics and themes. Pairing books with similar themes during story time will help children learn that everyone sees the world a little differently, and it's good to see other people's perspectives. Read : Leaves by David Ezra Stein and The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming, illustrated by Nicola Slater Discuss :  What is the main theme in each of these stories? How are these two books different? How are they similar? What were Bear and Squirrel both confused about?  Have you ever been confused or curious about something in nature? Talk about it! What is fall like where you live? Do you see leaves changing, then falling from the trees?  What other books about fall or leaves have you read? Are any of

Review and Activity: RIBBIT! THE TRUTH ABOUT FROGS

by Rebecca  

Ribbit! The Truth about Frogs by Annette Whipple is a feast for frog-loving eyes. The illustrations--a combination of photography and drawings--are enough to draw any curious viewer in with their vibrant, colorful detail. But there is more to love about this book than the pictures. This book is full of engaging, easy-to-digest, fascinating facts about frogs! Each spread of the book begins with a question to pique the reader's interest, like "Who's hopping?" and "What's the difference between frogs and toads?" (Hint: Toads are frogs!). This book's concise text and visually engaging layout makes it a good choice for all kinds of learners and readers, particularly those with an interest in frogs or animals in general (and it's part of a series of other equally engaging books about critters). It even includes instructions on how to build a toad house in your garden! In short, this book is a "hopping" good time!

Read: Ribbit! The Truth about Frogs by Annette Whipple

Discuss

  • What new fact or facts did you learn about frogs?
  • Were you surprised to learn that toads ARE frogs?
  • Have you ever seen a frog near your house? What about at a park or a lake?
  • What kind of frog is your favorite? If you're not sure, flip through the book again.
  • Have you read any other books about frogs? 
Do: Follow the instructions in the back of the book to turn a clay pot into a frog home for your yard or garden. You can decorate the pot with acrylic paint first or leave it plain. Here is a picture of the frog home I set up in my garden. I wonder how long it will be before a frog discovers it!


Other frog books you might enjoy: 
  • Teeny Tiny Toady by Jill Esbaum, illustrated by Keika Yamaguchi
  • A Hippy-Hoppy Toad by Peggy Archer, illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf
  • I Don't Want to Be a Frog by Dev Petty, illustrated by Mike Boldt
For more Ribbit! The Truth About Frogs fun, check out the Frog Educator Guide from the author, Annette Whipple. 




Comments

Annette Whipple said…
Thanks so much for featuring Ribbit! The Truth About Frogs here at Read, Discuss, Do! I really appreciate it!
Mindy Baker said…
Awesome book and activity idea! I want to make a frog house!