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  This year's Read, Discuss, Do Summer Challenge: WILD SUMMER officially kicks off on June 2 and goes until August 11! This is a free reading challenge that pairs books with summer fun! Find all the information you need plus a bonus book list in this post , or sign up via this form . Also, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter so you don't miss any of the weekly emails.  Week One: Bears  - Our special guest Bear shares some of his beary favorite books and activity ideas to help you have a beary great bookish (and bearish) summer. Week Two: Elephants - Our big guest shares some of her favorite books and ideas to help you make a big splash this summer.
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Picture Book Pair for a Fun Fall Story Time

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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 them similar to these two?
Do: Try one or more of these leafy activities!
  • Make leaf prints. Head outside and find some fallen leaves. Make sure they are still flexible, not dry and crinkly. Then get out some paint, such as tempera paints or craft paints. You will also need a wide paint brush and some paper. You may want to wear an old shirt so that you don't get paint on your good clothes. Use the brush to paint one side of the leaf, then carefully press the leaf onto the paper. Lift the leaf off the page and you'll have a lovely leaf print. Let it dry and hang it somewhere for all to see!
This leaf print was made with radish greens
  • Make leaf rubbings. Find fall leaves like you would for a leaf print. You'll need paper and crayons too. Set a leaf under a sheet of paper, and "rub" a crayon over it. It is easier if you remove the crayon wrapper and color with the side of the crayon.
  • Jump in leaf piles.
  • Make a leaf garland, like this one! 
  • Go for a fall leaf walk. What colors do you see? Collect one leaf of every color, then arrange them like a rainbow and take a picture.
  • Draw pictures of colorful fall leaves.
Looking for more fall fun? Check out this list of ten story time activities to pair with fall books! 

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