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Your search topic halloween returned the following articles:
Sunday, October 23rd, 2016
A Very Brave Witch written by Alison McGhee and illustrated by Harry Bliss
Halloween theme picture book published by Simon & Schuster / Paula Wiseman Books
A Very Brave Witch is the tale of a green-skinned, broomstick-flying, costume-loving witch. She thinks she knows all about humans and decides that Halloween night is the perfect opportunity to take a closer look. After a flying mishap, she meets three, costumed human trick-or-treaters including one girl who is dressed up as a witch. Together, the pair manage to shatter stereotypes as they discover friendship and celebrate Halloween together.
Young readers will enjoy investigating a recently-decorated haunted house and collection of costumes. The witches’ fear of humans is good fun.
Well-suited for a group read-aloud, the colorful watercolor illustrations nicely match the tone of the story.
Suitable for preschool and older
Scare Factor = 1
A Very Brave Witch at Amazon.com
A Very Brave Witch at Amazon.ca
A Creepy Countdown written by Charlotte Huck and Jos. A. Smith
Halloween theme picture book published by Harper Trophy
Beautifully-detailed, dark and creepy illustrations are a highlight of this Halloween-theme counting book. Rhyming text includes alliteration and guides readers as they count from one to ten and back down to one).
Five furry bats hanging upside down
Six skinny witches flying through the town
Recommended for children aged 5 and up. Illustrations are well-suited to a group setting and could be used to inspire young artists to work primarily in black.
Scare Factor = 2
A Creepy Countdown at Amazon.com
A Creepy Countdown at Amazon.ca
Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Halloween written and illustrated Mélanie Watt
Halloween theme picture book published by Kids Can Press
Scaredy Squirrel is a fun series of picture books written and illustrated by Mélanie Watt. In Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Halloween, Scaredy has put together eight short chapters featuring panels with maps, lists, illustrations and diagrams intended to keep trick or treaters safe and happy. Best suited to independent readers or a one-on-one read aloud, this is a fun book with rich vocabulary and detailed, engaging illustrations. Not great for a large group setting, this will be a very satisfying “chapter book” for a child in grade one or two and will produce lots of giggles when read by a parent to a child.
Scare Factor = 1
Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Halloween: A Safety Guide for Scaredies at Amazon.com
Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Halloween: A Safety Guide for Scaredies at Amazon.ca
Ten Timid Ghosts written and illustrated by Jennifer O’Connell
Halloween theme counting book published by Cartwheel Books, an imprint of Scholastic
When a moving truck pulls up to a haunted house, the ten resident ghosts watch nervously. Before too long, a green-skinned witch is scaring the ghosts with a skeleton
, a bat
and various costumes. Ms. O’Connell provides fun clues for readers to notice including buttons that look like eyes
, white face powder
and a roll of toilet paper.
Repetitive, rhmying text adds to the fun in this counting book. Young children will love finding the ghosts in each of the illustrations.
Scare Factor = 1
Tags: Canadian author, Canadian illustrator, counting book, Halloween, humor, phonemic awareness, picture books, Picture books that feature alliteration, video clip, watercolour illustrations
Posted in Fall Children's Books, Learning Games and Printables | Comments Off on Halloween-Theme Picture Books and Free Printables for Kids!
Wednesday, October 30th, 2013
This is a fun Halloween felt board story I used to tell at Girl Guide and Brownie Halloween events. The felt pieces I use are very plain – I should probably add some glitter glue and trim.
Tags: chants, Flannel Board Stories, Halloween, preschool circle time
Posted in Fall Children's Books, Learning Games and Printables | 1 Comment »
Thursday, September 26th, 2019
Picture books that explore gender stereotypes – We have done our best to include stories that feature boys and girls enjoying activities that might be traditionally be labelled “feminine” or “masculine.” As well, you will find picture books that can be used to provoke discussion about stereotypes and acceptance and others that specifically address gender […]
Tags: Anti Bullying Books for Children, diversity in children's books, friendship, metaphorical picture book, onomatopoeia, picture books, pink shirt day
Posted in Children's Books that Celebrate Diversity and Tolerance | Comments Off on Explore Gender Stereotypes and Dysphoria with these Picture Books
Tuesday, October 20th, 2015
We live very near to several pumpkin patches. At this time of year, the leaves have died away to reveal gorgeous orange fruit. If you and your family have an opportunity to trudge through muddy fields to select just the right pumpkin, be sure to extend your child’s learning with pumpkin theme picture books and printables.
The Biggest Pumpkin Ever written by Steven Kroll and illustrated by Jeni Bassett
Preschool picture book about growing pumpkins published by Cartwheel Books, a Division of Scholastic
Clayton and Desmond each fall in love with the same pumpkin and are soon working night and day to water and fertilize it. Before long, it is absolutely enormous! One night, as they work to protect the pumpkin from frost, the two young mice meet and discover that they have both been working on the same pumpkin project. Before long, it is time for a pumpkin contest and, together, the new friends enlist the help of dozens of field mice to transport the pumpkin into town.
With only a brief reference to carving a smiling jack-o-lantern face, this story is primarily about caring for the growing pumpkin, discovering a new friend and working cooperatively together. The Biggest Pumpkin Ever 
is a great opportunity to explore the life cycle of a pumpkin. It will be enjoyed by preschool, kindergarten and early primary age children.
The Biggest Pumpkin Ever at Amazon.com
The Biggest Pumpkin Ever at Amazon.ca
Pumpkin Town written by Katie McKay and illustrated by Pablo Bernasconi
Preschool picture book about growing pumpkins published by HMH Books for Young Readers
José’s family grows pumpkins and usually they are very careful to only grow the best. One day José and his five brothers discard some ‘lesser’ seeds carelessly. The seeds are blown into town and land on straw roofs and in soil. When spring arrives, the seeds began to grow. Soon intrusive vines push through windows and heavy pumpkins threaten to drop out of trees and off rooftops. José and his family are blissfully unaware of the problem until the brothers venture into town.
Acknowledging their mistake, the boys set about harvesting the pumpkins and returning the town to normal. Observant readers will accurately predict the impact of rewarding the brothers’ hard work by giving them watermelons to eat.
Very good fun for preschool, kindergarten and early primary age children. No reference to Halloween.
Pumpkin Town! Or, Nothing Is Better and Worse Than Pumpkins at Amazon.com
Pumpkin Town! Or, Nothing Is Better and Worse Than Pumpkins at Amazon.ca
Sixteen Runaway Pumpkins
Rhyming, counting picture book about harvesting pumpkins written by Dianne Ochiltree and illustrated by Anne-Sophie Lanquetin
Sam Raccoon is confident when she heads out to the pumpkin patch. She pulls a large blue wagon behind her and she is soon filling it with big, lumpy pumpkins. At last the wagon is stacked with sixteen bright orange pumpkins that wiggle and wobble as she pulls it down the bumpy road. Soon, the pumpkins tumble out of the wagon and roll and bounce down the hill to the farmhouse.
Sam runs after the tumbling pumpkins and is disappointed when some are cracked but Grandpa knows exactly what to do with cracked pumpkins. The family gets to work and soon enjoy a delicious dessert.
Engaging illustrations, rollicking rhymes and the chance to count along will have great appeal for preschool, kindergarten and early primary age children.
Sixteen Runaway Pumpkins at Amazon.com
Sixteen Runaway Pumpkins at Amazon.ca
Tags: children's book, counting book, Fall, farming, gardening, phonemic awareness, printable interlined paper, rhyming picture books, series
Posted in Fall Children's Books, Learning Games and Printables | Comments Off on Learning Fun with Pumpkins! Picture Books and Free Printables
Tuesday, August 5th, 2014
Highlighting our best printables for kids who are learning to read together with children’s book recommendations. Welcome to Storytime Standouts! We hope you will enjoy exploring our free early childhood downloads for home and school. We also hope you will check out our book recommendations. We do our best to recommend great picture books, chapter […]
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Saturday, September 21st, 2013
Today’s post highlights picture books that beautifully celebrate Fall and the changes it brings to the world around us. Lush green trees and fields gradually change to yellow, gold, orange and red. Pumpkins, squash and corn ripen while cooler breezes blow and the days shorten.
We hope you will enjoy these fabulous Fall picture books with young readers and inspire them to create their own beautiful autumn artwork.
By the Light of the Harvest Moon written by Harriet Ziefert and illustrated by Mark Jones
Fall picture book, set on a farm published by Blue Apple Books
Highlighted by luminous illustrations of a beautiful moonlit autumn night, By the Light of the Harvest Moon begins as the farmers wearily carry their last loads of the day. The full moon illuminates the animals grazing nearby and the quiet farmyard. Suddenly, a breeze blows through the farm, picking up the colourful dry leaves and swirling them about.
A cloud of leaves settles in the pumpkin patch. When the gusts subside, leaf people emerge from the pile. First come grown-ups. Then come children… and then pets.
All through the night, the leaf people celebrate the beauty of Fall; bobbing for applies, stringing popcorn necklaces, stacking pumpkins and making wreaths. After play, it is time to savor delicious pies ~ pumpkin, apple, pear and pecan ~ before the wind blows the leaf people into the sky.
By the Light of the Harvest Moon lesson plan from Empowering Writers
By the Light of the Harvest Moon at Amazon.com
By the Light Of the Harvest Moon at Amazon.ca
Fletcher and the Falling Leaves written by Julia Rawlinson and illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke
Fall picture book, set in a forest published by Harper Trophy
When the world around him changes from lush green to gold, Fletcher worries that something is terribly wrong. His mother explains that it is autumn but Fletcher continues to watch with alarm as the leaves on his favorite tree change color and then start to fall.
“Don’t worry, tree. “I’ve got your leaf. I’ll fix you.” Fletcher looked around, picked a piece of grass, and carefully tied the leaf to a branch.
As the tree’s transformation continues, Fletcher does his best to collect the leaves, despite reassurances from Squirrel and Porcupine. They want to use the leaves to stay warm and cozy.
Young readers, familiar with the changes that autumn brings, will enjoy watching Fletcher discover the wonders of the seasons. The gorgeous ice laden tree is certain to inspire artists to read for their pastels and some glitter.
Fletcher and the Falling Leaves lesson plan from Teacher Think Tank
Fletcher and the Falling Leaves at Amazon.com
Fletcher And The Falling Leaves at Amazon.ca
Kitten’s Autumn written and illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes
Fall theme picture book for toddlers or preschoolers published by Kids Can Press
Beautifully vibrant and intriguing mixed media illustrations highlight this picture book for very young children. Written in rhyming couplets, the book is second in a series about Kitten. As the young cat explores the out-of-doors, young children will delight in the many animals that are encountered. Each is eating and preparing for winter.
Kitten’s Autumn at Amazon.com
Kitten’s Autumn at Amazon.ca
Leaf Man written and illustrated by Lois Ehlert
Fall picture book published by HMH Books for Young Readers
For Leaf Man, author illustrator Lois Ehlert used color copies of beautiful Fall leaves from many different trees (including maple, ash, oak, birch, elm, poplar, hawthorn, beach, fig, cottonwoood, sweet gum). She crafted the beautiful rich colours, textures and shapes into an inspired story that will encourage young readers to discover the possibilities in a pile of autumn leaves. Die cut pages show us a fascinating world of chickens, ducks, geese, mics, vegetables, orchards, cows grazing, turtles and fish, butterflies, birds, and forestland, all created using leaves, acorns, maple seeds and sweet gum fruit .
Leaf Man lesson plan from Harcourt Trade Publishers
Leaf Man at Amazon.com
Leaf Man at Amazon.ca
Mouse’s First Fall written by Lauren Thompson and illustrated by Buket Erdogan
Fall picture book published by Simon and Schuster
Mouse and Minka spend a joyous day celebrating the gorgeous rich colours of Fall.
Mouse saw round leaves and skinny leaves and pointy leaves and smooth leaves.
The two friends celebrate the many colors and shapes while happily playing together in an enormous pile of orange, brown and red leaves. Best suited to preschool-age children, extension activities could include classifying leaves by shape or color.
Mouse’s First Fall at Amazon.com
Mouse’s First Fall at Amazon.ca
Tags: acrylic painting illustrations, chalk pastel artwork, Fall, farming, forest animals, friendship, mice, nighttime, picture books
Posted in Fall Children's Books, Learning Games and Printables | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013
My Princess Boy is a non fiction picture book about acceptance, written by Dyson Kildavis’ mom, Cheryl. Dyson is a young boy who likes to wear pink, sparkly clothing including dresses. He also likes to dance like a ballerina. Dyson’s mom worried that her four year old son would be teased and bullied by classmates and that he would encounter intolerant people who would not respect his preferences, so she wrote this book in an effort to encourage acceptance and compassion.
Tags: Anti Bullying Books for Children, diversity in children's books, family life, individuality, picture books, pink shirt day
Posted in Anti-Bullying Children's Books, Children's Books that Celebrate Diversity and Tolerance | Comments Off on Picture book about Acceptance: My Princess Boy by Cheryl Kilodavis
Saturday, October 20th, 2012
More than 70 Free Writing Paper Downloads for Children Storytime Standouts’ free printable writing paper for homeschool, preschool, kindergarten and primary grades. Our interlined paper is great for penmanship practice, including for children who are learning to print and write. Step 1 – Make sure you have Adobe Reader. If you don’t have it, please […]
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Sunday, October 23rd, 2011
Free Halloween, Thanksgiving and Fall-theme printables for homeschool, kindergarten and preschool. We love pulling together free preschool and kindergarten printables for young children to enjoy. We have many free Halloween, Thanksgiving and Fall theme kindergarten printables and hope you will check them out. Young children love our colourful Fall theme writing paper and those who […]
Tags: Fall, featured, Free Printables, Halloween, printable interlined paper, Remembrance Day, teacher resource, Thanksgiving
Posted in Fall Children's Books, Learning Games and Printables | Comments Off on Free Fall-theme homeschool, kindergarten and preschool printables
Thursday, September 22nd, 2011
25 Free Printable Picture Dictionaries for Kids Free printable picture dictionaries for children who are learning to read and write. Inspire young writers with our downloads, organized by theme. Great resources for homeschool, kindergarten, early primary and English Language Learners. Step 1 – Make sure you have Adobe Reader. If you don’t have it, please […]
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Tuesday, September 13th, 2011
55 Free Printable Rhymes, Songs, Chants and Fingerplays for Teachers Download our free printable Rhymes, Songs, Chants and Fingerplays for Preschool and Kindergarten We want to make it very easy for teachers and parents to share these popular rhymes and songs with young children. We hope you will use our free printables to create songbooks […]
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Wednesday, August 31st, 2011
Two of the components of a child’s reading readiness are her comprehension and her interpretation. We can assist a preschool or kindergarten child with reading readiness by providing opportunities for him to read pictures and interpret them, including understanding the sequence of events. Reading and interpreting pictures includes noticing what is in the picture, what […]
Tags: Free Printables, learning activities, reading comprehension, sequencing, wordless
Posted in Family Literacy, Learn to Read Printables, Games and Activities for Parents and Teachers | Comments Off on Reading and Interpreting Pictures Supports Reading Comprehension
Friday, January 14th, 2011
We offer more than two hundred free PDF downloads on this website. Some are available to everyone, for others you need to register on the site. There is no cost for any of the downloads. Today, we are highlighting our free picture dictionary PDFs. These are perfect for beginning readers and writers. They can be […]
Tags: early learning, Free Printables, learning activities, teacher resource, vocabulary, words and pictures
Posted in Learn to Read Printables, Games and Activities for Parents and Teachers | Comments Off on Words together with pictures – perfect for beginning writers and readers
