Curious George: Parade Day

Introduce the youngest of children to the celebrations surrounding Independence Day with Curious George: Parade Day!

Perez, Monica & Cynthia Platt.
Curious George: Parade Day.
May 2011.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

Curious George: Parade Day introduces children to the iconic symbols of America and Independence Day. It doesn't get more American than the classic apple pie... or does it? From apple pie to the traditional 4th of July fireworks, families across America will participate in a variety of traditions this Independence Day. The text in Curious George: Parade Day is simplistic and in some cases rhyming... each symbol representative of America's independence has it's own page and significance in the story, making it perfect as a stand alone read (each page a different day) or as a book in it's entirety.

This is definitely a book you'll want to use if you have a little one who is old enough to begin recognizing July 4th as an American holiday! It's simple and fun to read with a much-loved character returning to introduce American traditions and for this $7.99 board book edition, how could you go wrong? It'll last for years to come!

Learning/Reading Activities:

• Work together to bake an apple pie.
• Pack a picnic.
• Head to a local parade.
• Enjoy a picnic in the park, and turn it into a "counting picnic" as Curious George does, counting all of the fun things around you... kites, hats, trees, dogs, etc.
• Spend some time at a local playground, playing as a family.
• Create your own "Lady Liberty" costumes or make patriotic parade wear!
• Put on some "jammies" and head out to the local fireworks display!
  

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Earth Day

Murphy, Stuart J.
Earth Day - Hooray!
2004.
HarperCollins Publishers.

The students in Mrs. Watson's Save-the-Planet Club are planning an Earth Day Celebration that will take place at Gilroy Park. However, the park is in no condition for a celebration and the students must clean up the park and get it ready. Once they begin working on cleaning up the trash and recyclables, they decide the park needs some sprucing up. They come up with the idea of collecting cans that can be redeemed for money and spending the money on flowers to plant in the park. The adventure takes readers on the journey of the Save-the-Planet Club members while introducing/reinforcing the concept of place value.

Place value, from the experience I've had with it, is one of the hardest math subjects to teach... at any grade level! This book really does a great job showing the concept through the use of different sized garbage bags. I could definitely see myself using this in the classroom on Earth Day as a math activity (even if the place value unit has already been completed, there's always room for review and more practice)!

Lesson Plans/Reading Activities:

• Recycle City
• Earth Day - Hooray: Activity Ideas

Perez, Monica.
Curious George Plants a Tree.
2009.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Although it was released in March, I've been holding off on a review, as it seemed perfect for my Earth Day post... and it is! Someday, when I have one, I will be using this book as read aloud on Earth Day. The 20 tips for living green that are provided on the last page will definitely open up the door for discussion and allow students to start thinking about themselves living green!

It's been a while since I've read Curious George! And while this book wasn't written by Margret & H.A. Rey, Monica Perez did a wonderful job writing the same style! There's lots to be learned in this book as Curious George sets about participating in the museum's Earth Day Rally.

George and the man head out to the museum for a day of exploring and to check out the new special exhibit. When they get there, George naturally heads to his favorite exhibits first: the rocket room, the mirror maze and the butterfly space. Then they move on to the special exhibit... How YOU can take care of our Planet. The illustration for this section of the book really have the capabilities of allowing children to almost imagine they are there, seeing the exhibit first hand. And the facts to be gained? Wonderful!

Lesson Plans/Reading Activities:

• PBS Kids blooms for Earth Day

King, Stephen Michael.
Leaf.
2009.
Roaring Brook Press.

As I initially started reading the book, I was like, what? It made no sense to me... but, I stuck it out, and I'm so glad I did, because the ending is where it all happens! This is definitely a cute book for kids!

Mom's broken out the scissors and a little boy is now expecting a haircut. Knowing what's in store, he dashes away from his mother and hides in the bushes. While he's hiding, a bird plants a seed atop his head, which soon begins to spout. Eventually the boy can no longer hide from his mother and her plans for a haircut. When she cuts off his hair, he takes the sprout and plants it into the ground. As time passes, we see the sprout as it grows, aging with the little boy who turns into a teenager. Years later, as he has a family of his own, he returns to the tree he sprouted and shares his story with his own family.

This really was a darling story... it's not really something I could share in a classroom, as the book is somewhat small for sharing just the pictures as a whole-group deal. However, I think it'd make for great sharing as a family - you could discuss the changes that occur over time in a family... or look at the Earth Day possibility... how will planting a seedling have an impact on the Earth years from now?

Earth Day Lesson Plans/Worksheets

• Earth Day Wordsearch
• Earth Day Color-by-Number
• Earth Day

If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com.