Are you ready to read this week? With the snow falling, you may just see some interesting tracks in the snow. Who made them?
We’re starting our new year off by cuddling up with some books during our Winter Reading Challenge. Our theme this year is “Books Like Us” and you can learn how to join by going to handleyregional.org/youthwinterreading.
This week we have some great books on some winter animals so type into the search bar above, #woodlandanimals to find some great books, such as:
Baby Bear by Kadir Nelson - As Baby Bear tries to find his way home through the forest, he asks many different woodland creatures for help and finds that much of their advice is more comforting than helpful.
Forest Tracks by Dee Dee Duffy - In this simple introduction to animals' tracks, each animal is introduced first by sound and by footprint, and then shown in full on the following spread.
Who's in the Forest by Phyllis Gershator - Pictures and rhyming text describe the birds and animals that fill a forest with noise and fun. Holes in die-cut board pages provide the reader clues as a question is asked on one page and answered on the next.
Winter Dance by Marion Dane Bauer - A fox wonders how he should prepare for the coming winter, but what other animals advise will not work for him until another fox comes to his aid.
Over in the Forest by Marianne Berkes - A counting book in rhyme presents various forest animals and their offspring, from a mother beaver and her "little kit one" to a father red fox and his "little kits ten." Includes related facts and activities.
Tracks in the Snow by Wong Herbert Yee - A little girl investigates tracks in the snow, trying to determine what could have made them.
The Bravest of the Brave by Shutta Crum - A fearless little skunk sets off through the woods alone at night encountering scary creatures, which the reader can correctly identify as various forest animals.
Our songs this week takes us on an imaginary trip into the forest to search for some animals. Download your coloring page to go with the first one and sing it to the tune, "Have You Ever Seen a Lassie."
If You're Ever in the Forest
If you're ever in the forest,
The forest, the forest,
If you're ever in the forest,
You might see a squirrel.
He scampers up trees,
As fast as can be.
If you're ever in the forest.
You might see a squirrel.
If you're ever in the forest,
The forest, the forest,
If you're ever in the forest,
You might see a rabbit.
She hops all around,
With big leaps and bounds.
If you're ever in the forest.
You might see a rabbit.
If you're ever in the forest,
The forest, the forest,
If you're ever in the forest,
You might see a fox.
She's crafty and quick,
And might play a trick.
If you're ever in the forest.
You might see a fox.
If you're ever in the forest,
The forest, the forest,
If you're ever in the forest,
You might see a skunk!
Please do not yell,
Or you won't like the smell.
If you're ever in the forest.
You might see a skunk!
Raccoon
Sung To: "Kookaburra"
Raccoon sleeps in a hollow tree
While the sun shines on you and me.
Sleep, raccoon.
Sleep, raccoon,
Warm and cozily.
In the darkest part of night
Raccoon has the best eyesight.
Look raccoon,
Look, raccoon,
My, your eyes are bright.
Raccoon hardly makes a sound
When he prowls all around.
Hunt raccoon,
Hunt raccoon,
Find food on the ground.
Sleepy Bear
(Tune: Thumbkin)
Where is Bear? Where is Bear?
Here I am. Here I am.
How are you this winter?
Very tired, thank you.
Go to sleep. Go to sleep.
Little Skunk’s Hole
Sung to: “Dixie”
Oh, I stuck my head in the little skunk’s hole,
And the little skunk said,
“Well, bless my soul!
Take it out! Take it out! Take it out!
Remove it!”
Oh, I didn’t take it out,
And the little skunk said,
“If you don’t take it out, you’ll wish you had.
Take it out! Take it out! Take it out!”
Pheew! I remove it!
Enjoy all of our great activities online this week and make sure you head over to join our reading challenge. We’ll see you next week for a new theme!