Princess in Black

Princess in Black by Shannon and Dean Hale is an awesome chapter book that’s fun to read and carries a few great messages as well.

Start your day with some hot chocolate and scones, (We recommend these) and simply talk about all the things that come to mind when you hear the word princess.

Where do these ideas come from?  What do you like about them, and what don’t you like?

May we suggest two lovely props for reading this story?

Make a tiara, 

And a mask.

 

Have your child wear each depending on which costume the Princess Magnolia is wearing.

Spend some time comparing the two versions of Princess Magnolia- what is the same, and what is different?

Now go back to your discussion about princesses and see what comes up.

How did the different people in the story treat her? Were there people who just wanted to be able to find mean things to say about her? Were there other people who saw the best in her no matter who she chose to be and wanted to help her?

And most importantly, would you rather be a princess, a super hero or a goat boy? Why?

It’s also worth reading the author interview and trivia found on the official Princess in Black website. 

Ready to take things to the next level?  On our Pinterest page we offer tutorials on how to make your own glitter ring, cape, and ninja staff.  Go Princess Magnolia! 

More to read:

Franny K Stein by Jim Benton

Kung Pow Chicken by Cindy Marko

Dragon Breath Attack of the Ninja Frogs by Ursula Vernon

Princess Pink and the Land of Fakebelieve by Noah Z. Jones

Princess Posey by Stephanie Greene

The Chicken Squad by Doreen Cronin

Captain Awesome to the Rescue by Stan Kirby

Lunch Walks Among Us

Do you have a child who sometimes worries about fitting in?  Perhaps it would help to introduce them to Franny K. Stein in Lunch Walks Among Us by Jim Benton.

The possibilities are almost endless with this fun book.

Here are some of our favorite tie-ins:

Talk about what makes a good friend and how to be a friend.

Work some free printable worksheets. 

Work on grammar with a Noun Chomping Monster 

Check out a few Monster math games.

Then, take a break and have a sandwich for lunch.  Don’t forget an extra slice or two of lunch meat for making monsters out of.

Make your own toxic industrial waste.

Play a build your own monster game.

Make a bat or two 

And learn to draw Franny 

Have Crab Ravioli in Pumpkin Sauce for dinner.

And, play a little baseball before bed.

Hooked on little girl mad scientists? Never fear! Franny’s next adventure is:

Attack of the 50-Ft Cupid

Want more books like Franny K. Stein? Try these!

Iggy Loomis, Superkid in Training by Jennifer Allison

The Adventures of Ali Baba Bernstein by Johanna Hurwitz

The Curse of the Bologna Sandwich by Greg Trine

Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

My Weird School by Dan Gutman

Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo

And always remember:

 

Roscoe Riley Rules #1

(AR level 2.9)

Roscoe Riley is learning about bees and other important things in his first rule book: Roscoe Rile Rules #1: Never Glue Your Friends toChairs by Katherine Applegate.

Here’s some ways your child can learn about bees too.

First things, first. A pair of bee bobbles for the day is a must!

Then, watch a couple of videos-

Roscoe is in charge of bringing goo sticks, scissors and paper to school, what is your favorite craft to make with these supplies? Use these items to create your own bees and honeycomb.

Have a lunch of peanut butter and honey sandwiches, bananas (with no yucky spots) and fishy crackers.

Introduce your child to rhythm using any form of sticks that are convenient for you, and play along with 4 Square. 

Talk about rules and consider making a simple rule reminder with bee prompts. 

Talk about emotions and facial expressions. Use a pair of stick-on eyebrows (or strips of black felt with tape) and a mirror for the child to practice different expressions, including the epic eyebrow raise.

Finish the day with a juice box war and a slice of mom’s banana-avocado-raisin cream pie. Just kidding.

Work together to make giant chocolate cupcake with lots of gooey icing with sprinkles.

Remember, you can always check out our Pinterest board for even more fun and book spark ideas.

 

Ready for Roscoe’s 2^nd rule?  Check out Never Swipe a Bully’s Bear

Also consider these similar titles:

Magic School Bus Inside a Beehive by Joanna Cole

Super Burp! By Nancy Krulik

Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look

Bees by Sue Barraclough

Rules for School by Alec Greven

Tony Baloney School Rules by Pam Munoz Ryan 

And don’t forget: