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Educational Services
READ ALOUD RESOURCES
This page is a resource hub for educators from preschool to grade two. We understand how busy and hectic the school year can get, so let us make your planning easier! Below is a curation of resources to support "Read Alouds." We've done all the research and activity building for you!
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This page, and our Instagram, is updated weekly with new book recommendations so be sure to check-in often. We've got your back this school year!
Winter Is Coming
Tony Johnston, Jim LaMarche
"Day after day, a girl goes to her favorite place in the woods and quietly watches from her tree house as the chipmunks, the doe, the rabbits prepare for the winter. As the temperature drops, sunset comes earlier and a new season begins. Silently she observes the world around her as it reveals its secrets. It takes time and patience to see the changes as, slowly but surely, winter comes." Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
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Ages 3-7 yrs Literacy, Seasons, Environment,
The Wishing Leaf
Kallie George, Paola Zakimi
"As the seasons change from fall to winter, Bear eagerly waits for the last leaf to fall so that he can make a wish. A story of patience, friendship, and awe, The Wishing Leaf is a picture book full of wonder for the changing seasons, with a perfectly cozy ending. Bear knows that when the last leaf falls in the forest, whatever wish you make is sure to come true! Although it’s almost time to sleep, Mama allows Bear to watch and wait with his friends. But it seems like the leaf is never going to fall, so one by one, the other animals grow impatient and start to head home. Bear, however, finds active ways to wait, all the while wondering what to wish for—until finally, he’s the only one left, and he’s growing tired. Will Bear see the last leaf fall? And if so, what wish will he make?" Abrams Books
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Ages 4-8 yrs Literacy, Well-being,
Sharing one of our favourites from last December
Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter
Kenard Pak
"Join a brother and sister as they explore nature and take a stroll through their twinkling town, greeting all the signs of the coming season. In a series of conversations with everything from the setting sun to curious deer, they say goodbye to autumn and welcome the glorious first snow of winter." Kenard Pak
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Ages 3-7, Nature, Siblings, Seasons (Science/Well-being)
The Giving Flower: The Story of the Poinsettia
by Alda P. Dobbs, Emily Mendoza
"A lyrical picture book about the Poinsettia flower and the holiday traditions it has inspired. First, the flower grew wild―a yellow blossom with bracts that turn brilliant red in winter. The ancient Nahuas cultivated it; then it inspired Mexico's most famous Christmas legend. After the flower caught the eye of Mexico's first US ambassador, it became known as the Poinsettia. Yet it has many more names and traditions―and even more colours!" Sourcebooks
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Ages: 4-7 years old
Themes: Traditions, Christmas, Plants, Art (Creativity)​
Sophie Shares the Stars
Heather Smith, Catherine Petit
"Michael is a good singer, not a great cook (though Sophie likes the "burned-y bits") and he takes care of Sophie when she's sick by giving her crackers and ginger ale. Sophie might have put blue paint in the blender and left the lid off, and drawn pictures on their apartment door...but Michael says she's his universe. When Michael gets sick, square crackers and ginger ale don't help. Sophie gives Michael the Big Dipper for his wall, and that makes him smile. Even though Michael doesn’t look sick, Sophie knows the truth. And just like he's there for her, she'll be there for him no matter what."
Orca Books
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Ages: 4-7 years old
Themes: Emotions, Family, Well-being​​
Crocodiles Everywhere
Estelli Meza
"After a girl’s best friend moves away, she starts seeing two creatures everywhere she goes: a gray crocodile who weeps for hours, and a loud crocodile who breaks things and creates all kinds of chaos. Nobody else seems to see them, though, and when they even follow her to her family’s beach vacation, the girl decides she needs to talk to them. It turns out she has a lot in common with both of these creatures: She has been feeling sad and angry too." Rocky Pond Books
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Ages: 4-7 years old
Themes: Emotions, Friendship, Well-being​​
Lesson Ideas!
Our Ancestors' Kitchen
Willie Poll, Shaikara David
"It’s a special day: the young protagonist in this memorable story is learning her grandfather’s favorite recipe from her grandmother! As each ingredient is prepared for this special dish, readers will be eager to follow along as they are transported back to particular moments gathering, hunting, harvesting, and sharing foods in the traditional ways throughout the seasons. Willie Poll’s poetic voice leads the readers through the seasons and what Mother Earth offers us in this beautiful celebration of the Earth, our foods, our family, and the importance of grieving those we love." Annick Press
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Ages: 4-7 years old
Themes: Environmental Stewardship, Indigenous Voices​​​
Lesson Ideas!
A Bear In War
Stephanie Innes, Harry Endrulat, Brian Deines​
"During World War One, a young girl slips her teddy bear into a care package for her father, a medic posted to the trenches of France. Although her father dies in the battle of Passchendaele, his belongings are shipped back to his family, along with the toy bear, which today sits in the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.
In 1915, 37-year-old Lawrence Browning Rogers enlisted in the Fifth Canadian Mounted Rifles, leaving behind his wife, two children, and their farm in East Farnham, Quebec. Over the next two and a half years, the family exchanged hundreds of letters, and daughter Aileen sent her beloved Teddy overseas to keep her father safe. Teddy returned home safely, but Lieutenant Rogers did not. He was killed in the battle of Passchendaele. Eighty-five years later, Lawrence's granddaughter found Teddy, the letters, and other war memorabilia packed away in a briefcase. And she discovered a moving story of one family's love and sacrifice - a story shared by the families of so many soldiers who have lost their lives in the defense of their country." Pajama Press
Ages 5-10
Theme: Remembrance Day
The Grumpy Ghost Upstairs
Mamiko Shiotani
"A little ghost lives in the attic of a big house. He swoops around all alone, which is just how he likes it, until one day a little girl disturbs his peace and quiet. A wryly funny, beautifully illustrated picture book about adapting to change." Floris Books
​​ We found this story both delightful and insightful, recognizing it as a wonderful opportunity to explore emotions as well as concepts like shadows, light, and texture.
Check out the P&P Art Lesson Ideas!
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Ages: 3-7 years old
Themes: Visual Arts, Literacy, Emotions​​​
Witch and Wombat
"Wilma, a young witch, cannot wait to get her very first cat! But when the pet store is fresh out of kittens, Wilma brings home. . . a wombat?! What a CAT-astrophe! A wombat is nothing like a cat, but maybe if Wilma puts cat ears on the little critter, no one will notice. . . . (Spoiler alert: they do.)This bright and fun picture book teaches young witches that our differences can be our strengths when we have an open mind!" Random House​
Ages: 3-7 years old
Themes: Self-Esteem, Literacy
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Retell Template Activity K-2
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Activities by Ashley Belotte Gr.1-2
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I Hate Everything
Sophy Henn
"A ghost is having a very bad day. He feels like he hates EVERYTHING! Lucky for him, he has a good ghost friend to talk it through with. Because if he doesn’t really hate sweets or flowers or dressing up, and he definitely doesn’t hate his friend, then maybe he doesn’t hate everything after all." Beach Lane Books​
Ages: 3-7 years old
Themes: Emotional Literacy, Well-being
Emotion Timeline Activity
Activity and Lesson Idea
Watch the author read this story online here ​​
The Marvelous Now
Angela DiTerlizzi, Lorena Alvarez Gómez
"Missed the bus? Flubbed a test? Got overwhelmed in a crowd? When you’re feeling big feelings or having a bad day, it can be hard to calm your racing mind and stay present. The Marvelous Now gives kids the tools to see that this is the moment where you need to be!" Little Brown and Company
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Ages: 4-8 years old
Themes: Self-regulation, well-being, emotional literacy​​
One Can Be
by Pat Zietlow Miller, Annie Cron
"Sometimes you need to be alone--to think and breathe. Other times you need to be with friends--those you know and those you've only just met. And sometimes everyone works together to create something wonderful. What can one person do all alone? Quite a lot, actually. Even so, there are times it helps to work with others. With spare, lyrical text, bestselling author Pat Zietlow Miller celebrates the power of being alone--and of coming together with others--centered on the love of reading and creating community around books. This is a book about trusting yourself and your ideas, seeing a need, and connecting with others to meet it." Beaming Books​
Ages: 4-7 years old
Themes: Community, Literacy, Self-Esteem​​
My Brain Is A Racecar
Nell Harris
"Brains are just like cars, they all drive round and round a track, picking up information and then bringing it back. Some brains are Race Cars that like to drive extra fast. Sometimes though, they forget to sop and fully complete a task.'
But driving cars fast all the time and not servicing or maintaining them leads to overheating and burnout.
We can apply that same logic to our brains." Nell Harris
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Ages: 3-10
neurodivergent learner and ADHD
The Wandering Feather
​Lisa Frenette, August Swinson
"When a gust of wind blows a feather off a flying red-tailed hawk, it marks the beginning of that feather’s quest to find a new home. The feather ends up in a squirrel’s nest, a woman’s hat, and atop a sandcastle—but none of these spots feel right.Soon, the feather is picked up by a little girl who lovingly takes it home to join two other feathers as part of a special craft project. When the project is complete, the reader discovers that the feather has found its home in a dreamcatcher." Owl Kids
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Ages: 4-7 years old
Themes: Enviornment Stewardship, Continuing Conversations
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I'm Longer than You!: An Epic Contest of Measurement
by Carolyn Fisher
"When Supersaurus claims to be the longest animal, Blue Whale begs to differ. The two animals debate who is longer until Inchworm (who happens to be exactly one inch long) enters the scene and offers to measure them both. The animals agree and decide the loser will treat the winner to lunch. Will the two ever figure out who won?" Kids Can Press
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Ages: 5-8 years old
Themes: Mathematics, Literacy, CSPAR (see template for more)
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Picture Books by Indigenous Authors
Collaboration Picks
Pebble & Pond is collaborating with PhD candidate Sarah Perry, our local environmental & indigenous historian, to bring you a selection of picture books to support themes of environmental stewardship, belonging and contributing, and beginning conversations about residential schools.
All resources/activities are free to download!
*FOR CLASSROOM USE ONLY. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION OR SALE.
Today Is Orange Shirt Day-September 29
Phyllis Webstad, Natassia Davies
"A first conversation about the importance of Orange Shirt Day - Every Child Matters and what little ones can expect to see and do on Orange Shirt Day - The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation." Medicine Wheel Publishing
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Ages: 2-4 years old
Themes: Orange Shirt Day, Emotional Literacy, Belonging
September 24
Sparking Conversations with
Spirit Bear: Honouring Memories, Planting Dreams
When We Were Alone
"In Spirit Bear: Honouring Memories, Planting Dreams, Spirit Bear continues his work as a Bearrister, learning about injustice and helping to make things right. On his way home from a sacred ceremony, Spirit Bear meets Jake, a friendly dog on his way to help plant a heart garden in honour of the children forced to go to residential schools for the closing ceremony of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) at Rideau Hall. While helping out, Spirit Bear learns more about the harm of residential schools, the work the TRC has been up to, and its 94 Calls to Action – things governments, courts, businesses, schools, and people living in Canada can do to make things right and support First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples in their fight for justice." Spirit Bear
Back To School Resource
LESSON PLANNING MADE EASY
​​Our team has curated a selection of picture books for you to start the school year off right. From building community, to emotional literacy skills, to social emotional strategies we've got you covered! Each of our professionally vetted books are sure to spark discussion in your classroom.Download our guide* today and save time building your lesson plan.
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*FOR CLASSROOM USE ONLY. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION OR SALE.