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hands-on

Fun Mr Mcgregor’s Vegetable Garden Simple Frugal Math Activity

February 26, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We’re creating a sweet and fun Mr Mcgregor’s vegetable garden math activity with felt that will have your littles counting, matching, making patterns, and using their imaginations. Also, look at my post The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study.

Do you remember the flannel boards that teachers used to use to tell a story, moving the pieces on and off the board?

If you do, this is an adorable throwback.

A sweet classic, like Peter Rabbit, deserves a darling activity with a great shelf life.

This vegetable garden math activity is probably only about $3 worth of felt, less if you source a great bundle price.

Fun Mr Mcgregor's Vegetable Garden Simple Frugal Math Activity

Peter Rabbit is a story about a mischievous and downright naughty little rabbit.

He learned things the hard way like when he doesn’t heed his mother’s advice to stay out of Mr. Mcgregor’s vegetable garden and narrowly escapes losing his coat and shoes in the process.

This felt math activity is as much fun to make as it is for your child to learn simple math using a fun little mat.

It can also be used for dramatic play, takes up little space, and is very inexpensive as well as easy to assemble.

Books for Kids By Beatrix Potter

The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Other Books by Beatrix Potter

Your kids will love the whole series of books by Beatrix Potter to add to a unit study or fun learning for the day.

Image for The Tale of Peter Rabbit

The Tale of Peter Rabbit

The Tale of Peter Rabbit is the original classic by Beatrix Potter. The Tale of Peter Rabbit was first published by Frederick Warne in 1902 and endures as Beatrix Potter's most popular and well-loved tale. It tells the story of a very mischievous rabbit and the trouble he encounters in Mr McGregor's vegetable garden! Re-originated in 2002 to mark the centenary of publication bringing it closer to the original edition, six illustrations were restored, four that were removed in 1903 to make room for endpapers and two that have never been used before, Beatrix having initially prepared more illustrations than could be accommodated in the original format. Beatrix Potter is regarded as one of the world's best-loved children's authors of all time. From her first book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, published by Frederick Warne in 1902, she went on to create a series of stories based around animal characters including Mrs. Tiggy-winkle, Benjamin Bunny, Jemima Puddle-duck, Mr. Jeremy Fisher and Tom Kitten. Her humorous, lively tales and beautiful illustrations have become a natural part of childhood. With revenue from the sales of her books, Beatrix Potter bought a farm - Hill Top - in the English Lake District, where she later became a farmer and prize-winning sheep breeder. 

Image for The Tailor of Gloucester (Beatrix Potter Read & Play)

The Tailor of Gloucester (Beatrix Potter Read & Play)

"In the time of swords and periwigs and full-skirted coats with flowered lappets—when gentlemen wore ruffles, and gold-laced waistcoats of paduasoy and taffeta—there lived a tailor in Gloucester..."Potter described 'The Tailor of Gloucester' as her own favorite among her books. It was based on the true story of a tailor who left the unsewn pieces of a coat in his shop and found that the garment had been mysteriously finished for him in the night. It turned out that the real tailor's assistants were his apprentices, but in Beatrix Potter's version of the story the secret helpers are skillful little brown mice.(1866–1943) loved the countryside and spent much of her childhood drawing and studying animals. The landscape that Peter Rabbit first introduced to us in 1902 is still today one of most popular and well-loved worlds. What started as an endearing story about a bunny rabbit would soon become the first ember for the illustrious series that is , & a story which has endured retelling after retelling at bedtimes all over the world.

Image for The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle (Peter Rabbit)

The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle (Peter Rabbit)

The Tale of Mrs Tiggy-winkle is an original classic by Beatrix Potter. The Tale of Mrs Tiggy-winkle was first published in 1905, and is as charming today as it was then. It tells the tale of a hidden home high in the hills. It is discovered one day by a little girl called Lucie, who is in search of her missing pocket handkerchiefs. She knocks on the tiny door, and meets Mrs Tiggy-winkle who does all the washing and ironing for the neighbouring animals. Lucie spends a lovely day helping her, and it's only right at the end of the day that she realises Mrs Tiggy-winkle is a hedgehog! Beatrix Potter is regarded as one of the world's best-loved children's authors of all time. From her first book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, published by Frederick Warne in 1902, she went on to create a series of stories based around animal characters including Mrs. Tiggy-winkle, Benjamin Bunny, Jemima Puddle-duck, Mr. Jeremy Fisher and Tom Kitten. Her humorous, lively tales and beautiful illustrations have become a natural part of childhood. With revenue from the sales of her books, Beatrix Potter bought a farm - Hill Top - in the English Lake District, where she later became a farmer and prize-winning sheep breeder.

Image for The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher (Peter Rabbit)

The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher (Peter Rabbit)

The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher endures as one of Beatrix Potter's most popular and well-loved tales. It tells of an optimistic and slightly accident-prone frog, who sets off on a fishing expedition across the pond, only to find himself bitten on the toe by a water-beetle, fighting with a stickleback, and eventually nearly eaten by a trout! The Tale of Jeremy Fisher is number seven in Beatrix Potter's series of 23 little books, the titles of which are as follows: 1 The Tale of Peter Rabbit 2 The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin 3 The Tailor of Gloucester 4 The Tale of Benjamin Bunny 5 The Tale of Two Bad Mice 6 The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle 7 The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher 8 The Tale of Tom Kitten 9 The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck 10 The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies 11 The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse 12 The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes 13 The Tale of Johnny Town-Mouse 14 The Tale of Mr. Tod 15 The Tale of Pigling Bland 16 The Tale of Samuel Whiskers 17 The Tale of The Pie and the Patty-Pan 18 The Tale of Ginger and Pickles 19 The Tale of Little Pig Robinson 20 The Story of a Fierce Bad Rabbit 21 The Story of Miss Moppet 22 Appley Dapply's Nursery Rhymes 23 Cecily Parsley's Nursery Rhymes

Image for The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck (Peter Rabbit)

The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck (Peter Rabbit)

The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck is an original classic by Beatrix Potter. Poor Jemima. All she wants to do is lay her eggs in peace, and be allowed to hatch them herself. At last she flies off and finds the perfect place. Little does the silly duck realise that the charming gentleman who has lent her his woodshed is busily planning a delicious meal of . . . roast duck! Jemima was a real duck belonging to Beatrix Potter, who lived at her farm, Hill Top. The story also features Beatrix's own sheepdog, Kep, who thankfully manages to save Jemima from a nasty fate! Beatrix Potter is regarded as one of the world's best-loved children's authors of all time. From her first book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, published by Frederick Warne in 1902, she went on to create a series of stories based around animal characters including Mrs. Tiggy-winkle, Benjamin Bunny, Jemima Puddle-duck, Mr. Jeremy Fisher and Tom Kitten

Image for Beatrix Potter Peter Rabbit Knit Plush

Beatrix Potter Peter Rabbit Knit Plush

SOFT & HUGGABLE: This Easter stuffed animal is made from soft, huggable materials and features surface-washable construction for easy cleaning. Each Peter Rabbit stuffed animal is appropriate for ages 1 and up and ships in a protective poly bag.

Next, look at these fun activities to learn go along with the Tale of Peter Rabbit.

5 More Hands-On Peter Rabbit Activities

  1. Make this adorable Peter Rabbit Toilet Paper Roll Craft that your child can use as a puppet while you read the story out loud.
  2. This is a great time to begin a real small garden with an adorable little scarecrow like the one in the story made from Peter’s jacket with How to Make Mr. McGregor’s Garden: A Simple Peter Rabbit Craft.
  3. Get your child up and moving with a Peter Rabbit Movement Game to wake them up and get brain cells firing.
  4. Here is another great math activity that you can put together quickly and easily: Carrot Number Matching Activity.
  5. A Peter Rabbit Playdough Invitation to play is not only a fun activity for your child but is a wonderful way to build fine motor skills and develop your child’s imagination within the theme.
Fun Mr. Mcgregor's Vegetable Garden Simple Frugal Math Activity

This is also a great excuse for a field trip to a farmers market or at least the grocery store to learn about new fruits and vegetables and you may even pick up some inspiration ideas for the ones you want to recreate.

Mr. Mcgregor’s Vegetable Garden Math Ideas

There are several ways to use the felt vegetable garden for math depending on what skills your preschooler is working on.

  • Matching-Have your child match two of each vegetable as they pull it from the basket.
  • Counting- Lay out multiple felt vegetables in the background and have your child point and count each one (one to one correspondence).
Fun Mr. Mcgregor's Vegetable Garden Simple Frugal Math Activity
  • Simple addition and subtraction- Use a pair of dice to determine your two numbers and practice adding and subtracting basic numbers using the felt vegetables as manipulatives.
  • Patterns- Make simple AB and ABC patterns for your child to continue repeating.
Fun Mr. Mcgregor's Vegetable Garden Simple Frugal Math Activity
  • Sorting- Mix all the pieces up in a basket and encourage your child to sort them by type.
Fun Mr. Mcgregor's Vegetable Garden Simple Frugal Math Activity
  • Number Recognition- Make small cards with 1-5 or 1-10. Then your child matches numbers with the correct number of felt vegetables.
Fun Mr. Mcgregor's Vegetable Garden Simple Frugal Math Activity
  • Serration- This is arranging objects in order by size. If you make your felt vegetables with enough size variation children can place them in order. For example, largest to smallest and vice versa.
Fun Mr. Mcgregor's Vegetable Garden Simple Frugal Math Activity
  • Beyond math you could also us these felt vegetables to practice beginning letter sounds as well, c-c-c-carrot.

Fun Mr Mcgregor’s Vegetable Garden Math Activity

You will need:

  • Brown felt
  • Colorful felt
  • Scissors
  • Hot glue gun
  • A basket to store everything
Fun Mr. Mcgregor's Vegetable Garden Simple Frugal Math Activity

All you need for your garden plot is a sheet of brown felt with no cutting.

You can even purchase larger pieces at the craft store if you want a bigger workspace.

Next, decide which vegetables you’d like to include and cut out very simple shapes.

Fun Mr. Mcgregor's Vegetable Garden Simple Frugal Math Activity

Glue all your pieces together and allow them to cool.

Fun Mr. Mcgregor's Vegetable Garden Simple Frugal Math Activity

For lettuce or is it cabbages?

I just cut a green oval and then two to three smaller “leaves” to glue to either side.

Fun Mr. Mcgregor's Vegetable Garden Simple Frugal Math Activity

You can make whatever vegetables you like and that you know your child will identify.

Add details if you like with a marker.

Fun Mr. Mcgregor's Vegetable Garden Simple Frugal Math Activity

I suggest starting with five of each vegetable for very young math learners.

Too, you can make 10 for adding and subtracting within 10.

Once you’ve cut out all your pieces, including the greenery, hot glue them together.

That’s it, that’s all it takes.

A little simple cutting and gluing.

And now your child has a darling play mat that can be used for math, science, and dramatic play.

Add everything to a cute little basket to store it in.

Fun Mr. Mcgregor's Vegetable Garden Simple Frugal Math Activity

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: felt, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, rabbit, spring, spring crafts

Free Ancient China Lapbook for Kids Who Love Hands-on History

February 25, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have a free Ancient China lapbook with some hands-on history ideas. Also, you’ll love my other Homeschool Lapbook Ideas on my page.

I’m sharing my complete lapbook Ancient China lapbook along with some hands-on history ideas.

I had a few minibooks already, so I incorporated them into this unit.

And learning about ancient civilizations makes for interesting segues into your history day.

Free Ancient China Lapbook for Kids Who Love Hands-on History

When you focus on an ancient civilization like Ancient China in depth it makes history much livelier.

Besides whom wants to just color maps.

When learning about the culture, flora and fauna and history of the people, children can connect with history.

Ancient China Books for Kids

Also, I used living books as much as possible so kids can learn about history in a story form.

In addition, we use reference books to help us locate geographical features and learn other things about an area.

12 Ancient China Books & Resources For Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To

Add some of these books to your home library about Ancient China. Also, use them for a homeschool unit study.

Image for Zheng He, The Great Chinese Explorer: A Bilingual Story of Adventure and Discovery

Zheng He, The Great Chinese Explorer: A Bilingual Story of Adventure and Discovery

In the West, legendary explorers like Christopher Columbus, Ernest Shackleton and Sir Edmund Hillary are a recognized part of our history. But in China, that legend belongs to the great explorer Zheng He (1371–1433), who lived during China's renowned Ming Dynasty. Zheng He, the Great Chinese Explorer is a bilingual (English and Chinese) tale of his adventures.

When he was a child, Zheng He dreamed of foreign lands, his imagination was inspired by the travels of his father and grandfather and the wonderful items they brought back from trading trips to the West. A simple but exotic porcelain vase in cobalt, a color not found in China at the time, drove Zheng He to discover the origins of this unique color—and become one of the most famous explorers in China's history.

Image for Chee-Lin: A Giraffe's Journey

Chee-Lin: A Giraffe's Journey

Eighty years before Columbus, China sent ships to explore the world.The Chinese discovered many marvelous things, but one discovery stood out above the others: the chee-lin.This chee-lin was just a giraffe, but to the Chinese it was an omen of good fortune so rare that it had appeared only once before—at the birth of Confucius.

Image for Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

A Time Magazine 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time selection!​A Reader’s Digest Best Children’s Book of All Time​!This stunning fantasy inspired by Chinese folklore is a companion novel to Starry River of the Sky and the New York Times bestselling and National Book Award finalist When the Sea Turned to SilverIn the valley of Fruitless mountain, a young girl named Minli lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. In the evenings, her father regales her with old folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man on the Moon, who knows the answers to all of life's questions. Inspired by these stories, Minli sets off on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man on the Moon to ask him how she can change her family's fortune. She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest for the ultimate answer.Grace Lin, author of the beloved Year of the Dog and Year of the Rat returns with a wondrous story of adventure, faith, and friendship. A fantasy crossed with Chinese folklore, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a timeless story reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz and Kelly Barnhill's The Girl Who Drank the Moon. Her beautiful illustrations, printed in full-color, accompany the text throughout. Once again, she has created a charming, engaging book for young readers.

Image for Science and Scientists (True Stories From Ancient China)

Science and Scientists (True Stories From Ancient China)

Ancient China has a long history of scientific excellence. Learn more about some of China’s greatest scientific wonders and the scientists who studied them. Features stories about astronomy, seismology, mathematics, calendar-making, and geography.

Image for The Warlord's Beads (Warlord's Series)

The Warlord's Beads (Warlord's Series)

Clever Chuan devises a simple way for his father to quickly and accurately count all the warlord's treasure.

Image for The Five Chinese Brothers (Paperstar)

The Five Chinese Brothers (Paperstar)

The classic picture book about five clever brothers, each with a different extraordinary ability, has been in print for almost 80 years."An original nonsense tale told with...spirit and gusto." -- The Horn Book

Image for The Great Wall Of China (Aladdin Picture Books)

The Great Wall Of China (Aladdin Picture Books)

Angela FIsher's The Great Wall is an "awe-inspiring, impressive, black and gray illustrations set the tone for this history of the building of the Great Wall of China." (School Library Journal)

Image for The Story about Ping

The Story about Ping

No one can deny the appeal of the book's hero, Ping, the spirited little duck who lives on a boat on the Yangtze River. Ping's misadventures one night while exploring the world around his home form the basis of this timeless classic, which is brought to life by Kurt Wiese's warm and poignant illustrations.

Image for In the Forbidden City (We All Live in the Forbidden City)

In the Forbidden City (We All Live in the Forbidden City)

Serving as the seat of imperial power for six centuries, the Forbidden City is one of China's most famous and enigmatic landmarks. Accompanied by a mischievous cat, readers will tour this colossal architectural structure, discovering the secrets hidden inside the palace walls. They will encounter the people who have walked through its halls and gardens, including emperors, empresses, and rebel leaders, and hear exciting tales about the power struggles and intrigues of everyday life.This large format book conveys the grandeur of the Forbidden City through highly detailed line drawings of its buildings, gardens, and courtyards with numerous fold-out spreads. Each page is populated by a large variety of characters and peppered with entertaining anecdotes. Every book includes a plastic magnifying glass for looking at the drawings more closely."Readers receive a lavish tour of the Forbidden City, once home to Chinese emperors and now a museum, courtesy of Chiu and the Design and Cultural Studies Workshop, which he founded. Delicate line drawings highlight the architectural intricacies of the nearly 178-acre complex (several foldout spreads emphasize its size) while Chiu examines the Ming and Qing dynasties in thorough detail, along with major events in the palace's history. (In one foldout scene, 24 emperors offer pithy, even brusque notes on their reigns — "I was entirely unaccomplished," says Emperor Longqing.) A magnifying glass is wisely included to help readers appreciate the wealth of visual detail." — Publishers Weekly

Image for The Emperor Who Built The Great Wall

The Emperor Who Built The Great Wall

DID YOU KNOW that China was named after its first emperor – the brilliant, all-powerful emperor who built The Great Wall? In this book, discover why he started building the Wall, how he made China the biggest country on earth, and what treasures he hid in his secret tomb. Find out how he became one of the most important people in the history of China. Read all about the first emperor’s fascinating life in The Emperor Who Built The Great Wall.The simple language and beautiful illustrations make this book a wonderful reader or bedtime story. It is suitable for all ages, but children aged six to twelve years will especially enjoy reading this book.~ About the ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA… Series ~China has a long history, but its many stories are often too complex for children. In this series, Jillian Lin retells China’s best historical tales so they are easy and fun to read. Children will embark on a journey through time where they will get a glimpse inside the colorful lives of famous Chinese figures. Beautiful illustrations, gripping stories, and fascinating facts make these books wonderful readers or bedtime stories for ages six and above. Other titles in this series include:The King Without A Throne (Confucius)The Mountain Man Of Music (Zhu Zaiyu)The Miracle Doctor (Hua Tuo)The Girl Who Became Emperor (Wu Zetian)The Dreamer Of Stars (Zhang Heng)The Greatest Explorer In The World (Zheng He)The Pirate King (Koxinga/Zheng Chenggong)

Image for Where Is the Great Wall?

Where Is the Great Wall?

More than two thousand years ago, with his land under constant attack from nomads, the First Emperor of China came up with a simple solution: build a wall to keep out enemies. It was a wall that kept growing and growing. But its construction came at a huge cost: it is believed that more than a million Chinese died building it, earning the wall its nickname--the longest cemetery on earth. Through the story of the wall, Patricia Brennan Demuth is able to tell the story of China itself, the rise and fall of dynasties, the greatness of its culture, and its present-day status as a Communist world power.

Image for DK Eyewitness Books: Ancient China: Discover the History of Imperial China―from the Great Wall to the Days of the La

DK Eyewitness Books: Ancient China: Discover the History of Imperial China―from the Great Wall to the Days of the La

A spectacular and informative guide to the history of the great Chinese empire and the customs and traditions of its people.  Stunning real-life photographs and lifelike models offer a unique "eyewitness" view of life in imperial China, from its earliest beginnings in the Bronze Age to its final years in the early 20th century. See the stunning bronze work of the ancient Chinese and the beautiful techniques used for Chinese calligraphy. Learn why the First Emperor created the Terracotta Army, what kinds of goods were carried along the Silk Route, who invented paper, and much, much more. 

Facts About Ancient China

  • Han Chinese were the original people of China.
  • The oldest religion in China is ancestor worship but there were other religions too like Confucianism based on the teachings of Confucius. Taoism is another religion.
  • Next the cultivation of silkworms to obtain silk for weaving.
  • At first silk was expensive and only the wealthiest wore it. But about 200 B.C. soldiers and other people were wearing silk. And then even poor people wore silk.
  • Then ancient Chinese wrote on bamboo and wood, then silk. Paper was invented in China about 105 A.D.
  • Education was important in Ancient China. Boys usually went to school at the age of seven. If their parents were rich, they hired a tutor. They learned to write 20 Chinese characters a day.
  • Girls were not usually sent to school. They learned to spin, weave, and embroider. They helped their mothers at home.

Children learn to write calligraphy. It was a great art because there were thousands of symbols each representing a different idea.

Chinese writing has hardly changed over 2,000 years.

More Homeschool Lapbook Ideas

  • Marco Polo Unit Study and Lapbook
  • Ancient Greece
  • 18 Colorful and Free Lapbooks for History Unit Studies
  • Fun Pharaohs and Queens Ancient Egypt Lapbook and Activities
  • Ancient Civilization Lapbook
  • French Revolution 1789 – 1799 Lapbook
  • American Revolution Lapbook 1775 – 1783
  • Medieval Japan Unit Study and Lapbook
Free Ancient China Lapbook for Kids Who Love Hands-on History

In addition, look at this Ancient Chinese inventions on hub page to see what they invented.

Moreover, look at these other ideas for hands-on history.

Hands-on History for Kids Learning About Ancient China

  • How To Make The Great Wall Of China Out Of Paper
  • 8 Ancient China Activities For Kids | How To Make An Abacus
  • Kids Ancient China Activity | How To Make a Simple Ming Dynasty Craft
  • Quick and Easy Ancient Chinese Paper making for Kids
    Free Ancient China Lapbook for Kids Who Love Hands-on History

    Topics in Free Ancient China Lapbook

    Look at these minibooks which are included in the free download.

    Use them all or mix/match with other activities your child wants to include in the lapbook.

    • Early Chinese Dynasties
    • History of Silk
    • Where the Ancient Chinese
    • Did You Know . .
    • Growing Up in Ancient China
    • Shang Warrios
    • Shang Script
    • Food of Ancient China
    • Confucius

    How to Get the Free Ancient China Lapbook

    Now, how to grab the free lapbook. It’s a subscriber freebie.

    That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

    1) Sign up on my email list to get my emails in your inbox AND this freebie.

    2) Grab the freebie.

    3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

    Leave a CommentFiled Under: Lapbooks Tagged With: ancient, Ancient China, ancient civilizations, Ancient HIstory, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, history resources

    How To Make The Great Wall Of China Out Of Paper

    February 24, 2024 | Leave a Comment
    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

    When we decided how to make the Great Wall of China out of paper, I immediately thought of the way that it curves and winds through deserts, grasslands, mountains, and plateaus. Also, look at my post Free Ancient China Lapbook for Kids Who Love Hands-on History.

    I wanted to use something that would replicate that bending shape and thought of a file folder so that it would stand up.

    It is small enough to store as a keepsake or sample of work for portfolios.

    How To Make The Great Wall Of China Out Of Paper

    And it can also be used to hold notebooking pages, a file folder game, or even makes an impressive cover for a lapbook on the Great Wall of China.

    The Great Wall of China is a fantastic piece of architecture to study from ancient times, only 10% of it remains standing today.

    But once it was believed to have been the length equal to half of the length of the equator.

    It served several purposes and while only part of it remains in modern times it is still quite impressive to behold.

     Winding through the country, the most famous and most visited (as well as the  most restored section) of the wall is in Badaling, just 40 miles northwest of Beijing.

    Depending on your child’s age and comprehension you want to grab a great book to go along with your unit study.

    Books About China

    For example, I like to add living books to our hands-on history.

    Then I also add reference books to our day.

    Grab one of these to add to your study.

    12 Ancient China Books & Resources For Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To

    Add some of these books to your home library about Ancient China. Also, use them for a homeschool unit study.

    Image for Zheng He, The Great Chinese Explorer: A Bilingual Story of Adventure and Discovery

    Zheng He, The Great Chinese Explorer: A Bilingual Story of Adventure and Discovery

    In the West, legendary explorers like Christopher Columbus, Ernest Shackleton and Sir Edmund Hillary are a recognized part of our history. But in China, that legend belongs to the great explorer Zheng He (1371–1433), who lived during China's renowned Ming Dynasty. Zheng He, the Great Chinese Explorer is a bilingual (English and Chinese) tale of his adventures.

    When he was a child, Zheng He dreamed of foreign lands, his imagination was inspired by the travels of his father and grandfather and the wonderful items they brought back from trading trips to the West. A simple but exotic porcelain vase in cobalt, a color not found in China at the time, drove Zheng He to discover the origins of this unique color—and become one of the most famous explorers in China's history.

    Image for Chee-Lin: A Giraffe's Journey

    Chee-Lin: A Giraffe's Journey

    Eighty years before Columbus, China sent ships to explore the world.The Chinese discovered many marvelous things, but one discovery stood out above the others: the chee-lin.This chee-lin was just a giraffe, but to the Chinese it was an omen of good fortune so rare that it had appeared only once before—at the birth of Confucius.

    Image for Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

    Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

    A Time Magazine 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time selection!​A Reader’s Digest Best Children’s Book of All Time​!This stunning fantasy inspired by Chinese folklore is a companion novel to Starry River of the Sky and the New York Times bestselling and National Book Award finalist When the Sea Turned to SilverIn the valley of Fruitless mountain, a young girl named Minli lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. In the evenings, her father regales her with old folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man on the Moon, who knows the answers to all of life's questions. Inspired by these stories, Minli sets off on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man on the Moon to ask him how she can change her family's fortune. She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest for the ultimate answer.Grace Lin, author of the beloved Year of the Dog and Year of the Rat returns with a wondrous story of adventure, faith, and friendship. A fantasy crossed with Chinese folklore, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a timeless story reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz and Kelly Barnhill's The Girl Who Drank the Moon. Her beautiful illustrations, printed in full-color, accompany the text throughout. Once again, she has created a charming, engaging book for young readers.

    Image for Science and Scientists (True Stories From Ancient China)

    Science and Scientists (True Stories From Ancient China)

    Ancient China has a long history of scientific excellence. Learn more about some of China’s greatest scientific wonders and the scientists who studied them. Features stories about astronomy, seismology, mathematics, calendar-making, and geography.

    Image for The Warlord's Beads (Warlord's Series)

    The Warlord's Beads (Warlord's Series)

    Clever Chuan devises a simple way for his father to quickly and accurately count all the warlord's treasure.

    Image for The Five Chinese Brothers (Paperstar)

    The Five Chinese Brothers (Paperstar)

    The classic picture book about five clever brothers, each with a different extraordinary ability, has been in print for almost 80 years."An original nonsense tale told with...spirit and gusto." -- The Horn Book

    Image for The Great Wall Of China (Aladdin Picture Books)

    The Great Wall Of China (Aladdin Picture Books)

    Angela FIsher's The Great Wall is an "awe-inspiring, impressive, black and gray illustrations set the tone for this history of the building of the Great Wall of China." (School Library Journal)

    Image for The Story about Ping

    The Story about Ping

    No one can deny the appeal of the book's hero, Ping, the spirited little duck who lives on a boat on the Yangtze River. Ping's misadventures one night while exploring the world around his home form the basis of this timeless classic, which is brought to life by Kurt Wiese's warm and poignant illustrations.

    Image for In the Forbidden City (We All Live in the Forbidden City)

    In the Forbidden City (We All Live in the Forbidden City)

    Serving as the seat of imperial power for six centuries, the Forbidden City is one of China's most famous and enigmatic landmarks. Accompanied by a mischievous cat, readers will tour this colossal architectural structure, discovering the secrets hidden inside the palace walls. They will encounter the people who have walked through its halls and gardens, including emperors, empresses, and rebel leaders, and hear exciting tales about the power struggles and intrigues of everyday life.This large format book conveys the grandeur of the Forbidden City through highly detailed line drawings of its buildings, gardens, and courtyards with numerous fold-out spreads. Each page is populated by a large variety of characters and peppered with entertaining anecdotes. Every book includes a plastic magnifying glass for looking at the drawings more closely."Readers receive a lavish tour of the Forbidden City, once home to Chinese emperors and now a museum, courtesy of Chiu and the Design and Cultural Studies Workshop, which he founded. Delicate line drawings highlight the architectural intricacies of the nearly 178-acre complex (several foldout spreads emphasize its size) while Chiu examines the Ming and Qing dynasties in thorough detail, along with major events in the palace's history. (In one foldout scene, 24 emperors offer pithy, even brusque notes on their reigns — "I was entirely unaccomplished," says Emperor Longqing.) A magnifying glass is wisely included to help readers appreciate the wealth of visual detail." — Publishers Weekly

    Image for The Emperor Who Built The Great Wall

    The Emperor Who Built The Great Wall

    DID YOU KNOW that China was named after its first emperor – the brilliant, all-powerful emperor who built The Great Wall? In this book, discover why he started building the Wall, how he made China the biggest country on earth, and what treasures he hid in his secret tomb. Find out how he became one of the most important people in the history of China. Read all about the first emperor’s fascinating life in The Emperor Who Built The Great Wall.The simple language and beautiful illustrations make this book a wonderful reader or bedtime story. It is suitable for all ages, but children aged six to twelve years will especially enjoy reading this book.~ About the ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA… Series ~China has a long history, but its many stories are often too complex for children. In this series, Jillian Lin retells China’s best historical tales so they are easy and fun to read. Children will embark on a journey through time where they will get a glimpse inside the colorful lives of famous Chinese figures. Beautiful illustrations, gripping stories, and fascinating facts make these books wonderful readers or bedtime stories for ages six and above. Other titles in this series include:The King Without A Throne (Confucius)The Mountain Man Of Music (Zhu Zaiyu)The Miracle Doctor (Hua Tuo)The Girl Who Became Emperor (Wu Zetian)The Dreamer Of Stars (Zhang Heng)The Greatest Explorer In The World (Zheng He)The Pirate King (Koxinga/Zheng Chenggong)

    Image for Where Is the Great Wall?

    Where Is the Great Wall?

    More than two thousand years ago, with his land under constant attack from nomads, the First Emperor of China came up with a simple solution: build a wall to keep out enemies. It was a wall that kept growing and growing. But its construction came at a huge cost: it is believed that more than a million Chinese died building it, earning the wall its nickname--the longest cemetery on earth. Through the story of the wall, Patricia Brennan Demuth is able to tell the story of China itself, the rise and fall of dynasties, the greatness of its culture, and its present-day status as a Communist world power.

    Image for DK Eyewitness Books: Ancient China: Discover the History of Imperial China―from the Great Wall to the Days of the La

    DK Eyewitness Books: Ancient China: Discover the History of Imperial China―from the Great Wall to the Days of the La

    A spectacular and informative guide to the history of the great Chinese empire and the customs and traditions of its people.  Stunning real-life photographs and lifelike models offer a unique "eyewitness" view of life in imperial China, from its earliest beginnings in the Bronze Age to its final years in the early 20th century. See the stunning bronze work of the ancient Chinese and the beautiful techniques used for Chinese calligraphy. Learn why the First Emperor created the Terracotta Army, what kinds of goods were carried along the Silk Route, who invented paper, and much, much more. 

    Moreover, look at these activities to go along with how to make the Great Wall of China out of a paper.

    5 Great Things to Know About The Great Wall of China

    1. The Great Wall of China had 3 purposes, first to protect the Chinese empire from foreign invaders, to create a psychological barrier between northern and southern civilizations, and to protect the Silk Road Trade.
    1. The length of the entirety of the Great Wall originally built is equivalent to over 13,000 miles (21196.8 km).
    1. It runs along 15 northern Chinese provinces from the Bohai sea to the Gobi Desert with 15 important passes along the route. These are the fortresses or gates you see along the wall that look like little buildings along the length of the wall.
    1. It took over 2,000 years to build the great wall, beginning back in 220 BC with the first emperor Qin Shi Huang.
    1. Different sections of the wall were built with different materials like dirt, stone, and brick. The height ranges from 150 to 30 feet tall while the width runs from 15 to 25 feet. 
    How To Make The Great Wall Of China Out Of Paper

    Also, look at these Ancient China activities.

    Ancient China Hands-on Activities

    You’ll love to add these hands-on history activities.

    • Kids Ancient China Activity | How To Make a Simple Ming Dynasty Craft
    • Learn the Quick and Easy Ancient Chinese Paper making for Kids and practice writing characters to spell out names or spelling words.
    • Make Terra Cotta Warriors.
    How To Make The Great Wall Of China Out Of Paper

    Finally, look how to make the Great Wall of China out of paper.

    How To Make The Great Wall Of China Out Of Paper

    You will need:

    • A manilla file folder
    • Tan cardstock/construction paper
    • White paper
    • Blue craft paint
    • Green craft paint
    • Pencil
    • Glue sticks
    • Scissors
    How To Make The Great Wall Of China Out Of Paper

    First, start by sketching out your design with a pencil on the outside of the open folder to decide where you would like your main piece,

    You’re going to cover it with paint so you don’t need to get very detailed.

    How To Make The Great Wall Of China Out Of Paper

    Now create a sky and mountainous area by using a paint/foam brush to pounce on your colors lightly, building and using multiple colors as you like to add some depth to it.

     Let them touch in the middle. Set the folder aside to dry completely.

    How To Make The Great Wall Of China Out Of Paper

    While the paint is drying, cut a couple of large strips with a curvy top to be the closest piece of wall as well as a large pass (the gate/fortress section).

    Use a pencil to sketch bricks, doors, and other details onto them.

    How To Make The Great Wall Of China Out Of Paper

    Cut some thinner smaller pieces in varying sizes to represent the further distance views of the wall, this kind of forces perspective so it appears that they are farther in the distance.

    Add some small details with pencil.

    How To Make The Great Wall Of China Out Of Paper

    Once the paint has dried, lay your wall pieces out until they are to your liking with the largest in front and the smallest in the distance.

    Paint on more mountains in the background  if you feel it needs it. Glue your pieces into place once you are happy with the set up. I recommend placing pieces on either side of the fold so it moves freely.

    How To Make The Great Wall Of China Out Of Paper

    Cut off the excess from the sides of your folder so it is flush.

    Tear small white pieces for clouds and glue in place.

    How To Make The Great Wall Of China Out Of Paper

    Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: Ancient China, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling

    Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

    February 22, 2024 | Leave a Comment
    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

    From science to literature, I have a wonderful selection of owl unit study ideas to spark your next lesson. Also, grab more ideas on my Best Homeschool Unit Studies page.

    Included is a simple how-to for dissecting owl pellets.

    Owl pellets are the indigestible parts of creatures that owls eat such as the skull, claws, teeth, fur, and feathers that cannot safely pass through an owl’s digestive tract.

    So instead, the gizzard of the owl presses everything into a tight pellet that the owl then regurgitates.

    Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

    They look just like a little round clod of dirt at first glance.

    As you begin to pull it apart you will find fur, bones, and more.

    They are both gross and fascinating at the same time. If you have never examined one, I highly recommend doing so.

    But beyond that grossly wonderful hands-on activity there is plenty more to choose from to create a small or larger lesson on this nocturnal bird of prey.

    I have science, language arts, math, and even art and life skills bundled up to give you plenty of inspiration for an owl unit study.

    There is so much to learn about owls that they really can be their own study.

    They are found on nearly every continent and there are roughly 250 owl species.

    All of them live above ground except for the burrowing owl that makes its nest underground in holes abandoned by other animals.

    Books About Owls for Kids

    13 Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read to About Owls

    Add some of these books about owls to your home library or for your unit study.

    Image for Owls in the Family

    Owls in the Family

    Every child needs to have a pet. No one could argue with that.   But what happens when your pet is an owl, and your owl is terrorizing the neighbourhood?  

    In Farley Mowat’s exciting children’s story, a young boy’s pet menagerie—which includes crows, magpies, gophers and a dog—grows out of control with the addition of two cantankerous pet owls. The story of how Wol and Weeps turn the whole town upside down s warm, funny, and bursting with adventure and suspense.

    Image for An owl and three pussycats

    An owl and three pussycats

    A baby owl and three kittens receive a bit of extra help in growing up on Maple Hill Farm.

    Image for Owl Moon

    Owl Moon

    Late one winter night a little girl and her father go owling. The trees stand still as statues and the world is silent as a dream. Whoo-whoo-whoo, the father calls to the mysterious nighttime bird. But there is no answer.Wordlessly the two companions walk along, for when you go owling you don't need words. You don't need anything but hope. Sometimes there isn't an owl, but sometimes there is. Distinguished author Jane Yolen has created a gentle, poetic story that lovingly depicts the special companionship of a young child and her father as well as humankind's close relationship to the natural world. Wonderfully complemented by John Schoenherr's soft, exquisite watercolor illustrations, this is a verbal and visual treasure, perfect for reading around and sharing at bedtime.

    Image for The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark

    The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark

    Plop, the baby barn owl, is like every barn owl there ever was, except for one thing—he is afraid of the dark! Mrs. Barn Owl sends him down from the nest-hole to find out more about the dark, and it's not long before Plop finds out that DARK IS SUPER! This comforting story filled with gentle humor and warm and soothing illustrations has been enjoyed for decades by parents and children who want to snuggle down with a good read.

    Image for Little Owl's Night

    Little Owl's Night

    Little Owl enjoys a lovely night in the forest visiting his friend the raccoon, listening to the frogs croak and the crickets chirp, and watching the fog that hovers overhead.

    Image for Owls

    Owls

    On silent wings a bird sweeps down in the moonlight...   With their striking appearance and distinctive hoot, hoot, owls are one of the most recognizable birds in the world.  But did you know there are more than 140 types of owls living in the world?   Gail Gibbons' Owls celebrates the similarities and differences in the many species of owls, from large to small, living in diverse environments and making many different kinds of nests.  The book covers basics of owl behavior, information on how they hunt, and the many factors that have led some types of owls to become endangered.   The boldly colored illustrations feature clear labeling, and all new words are defined and reinforced with clear, simple language, appropriate for young readers.  The book also features a page of intriguing owl trivia.

    Image for Barn Owl (Science I Can Read Book)

    Barn Owl (Science I Can Read Book)

    Easy-to-read text and illustrations trace the life of a barn owl from his birth until he leaves the nest and finds a mate of his own.

    Image for The Book of North American Owls

    The Book of North American Owls

    Everything you ever wanted to know about owls on the North American continent. Features the twenty-one species of owls and all their vital statistics. Includes a detailed, illustrated glossary with maps showing residence and breeding ranges.

    Image for There's an Owl in the Shower

    There's an Owl in the Shower

    It’s people versus owls in this laugh-out-loud story about one family’s love for a special little owl, from bestselling nature writer and Newbery Medal winner Jean Craighead George!

    Borden Watson’s father is out of job, and it’s all the spotted owls’ fault. The birds are endangered, which means loggers, like Mr. Watson, are no longer allowed to cut down trees.

    It doesn’t make sense to Borden. Why are owls being put first over the citizens?

    But when Borden finds an owlet in the forest who needs his care, he brings it back home—much to Mr. Watson’s displeasure. Hilarious chaos soon ensues, as the tiny owl makes big changes in this logging family’s home, and makes his way into their hearts.

    This heartwarming story is a great way for young readers to learn about important topics, like endangered species, conservation, and environmentalism.

    Image for Knight Owl (Caldecott Honor Book) (The Knight Owl Series, 1)

    Knight Owl (Caldecott Honor Book) (The Knight Owl Series, 1)

    A determined Owl builds strength and confidence in this medieval picture book about the real mettle of a hero: wits, humor, and heart.  Since the day he hatched, Owl dreamed of becoming a real knight. He may not be the biggest or the strongest, but his sharp nocturnal instincts can help protect the castle, especially since many knights have recently gone missing. While holding guard during Knight Night Watch, Owl is faced with the ultimate trial—a frightening intruder. It’s a daunting duel by any measure. But what Owl lacks in size, he makes up for in good ideas. Full of wordplay and optimism, this surprising display of bravery proves that cleverness (and friendship) can rule over brawn. 

    Image for A Snowy Owl Story (Wildlife on the Move)

    A Snowy Owl Story (Wildlife on the Move)

    One winter, as food gets scarce, a snowy owl finds himself forced to look in new and unfamiliar spots in order to find food and a place to call home. Based on a true story, A Snowy Owl Story describes, through the tale of one particular owl, the recent irruption of snowy owls all across the United States. Through this simple narrative, youngsters will learn about migration, adaptation, and respectful human interaction with nature. This unique title (first in a projected series of four board books) is written and designed specifically for a preschool market; few board books exist that tell conservation stories for this age range. Published in cooperation with Maine Audubon.

    Image for Reggie The Burrowing Owl: The True Story Of How A Family Found And Raised A Burrowing Owl

    Reggie The Burrowing Owl: The True Story Of How A Family Found And Raised A Burrowing Owl

    This is the true story about how one, little orphaned burrowing owl brought five children and their parents together on a mission to care for him as best they could back in 1967. While taking care of, Reggie, we learned that—there’s no such thing as an ordinary day with a burrowing owl around. This is not just a story for children, but the whole family and though our days revolved around Reggie, it was the unique way Reggie impacted ours and those around us ordinary lives which makes this story so special. We hope you will find it so as well."Populations of burrowing owls are declining in some areas due to pesticide use, poisoning of prairie dog colonies, and automobile collisions. Conservation concerns differ by region, and in various states they are listed as endangered, threatened, or as a species of concern.

    Image for Owl at Home (I Can Read Level 2)

    Owl at Home (I Can Read Level 2)

    Owl lives by himself in a warm little house. But whether Owl is inviting Winter in on a snowy night or welcoming a new friend he meets while on a stroll, Owl always has room for visitors!

    Arnold Lobel's beloved Level 2 I Can Read classic was created for kids who read on their own but still need a little help. Whether shared at home or in a classroom, the engaging stories, longer sentences, and language play of Level Two books are proven to help kids take their next steps toward reading success.

    Also, look at more ideas.

    OWL UNIT STUDY RESOURCES

    • How to Make a Toilet Roll Owl & Elf Owl Facts

    Resources for an Owl Unit Study

    SCIENCE

    Watch this video on the Great Horned Owl for a bird’s eye view.

    Grab the Big Book of Birds for preschoolers through middle elementary (and maybe beyond), it is a great oversized book full of bird information and illustrations.

    Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

    Dissect an owl pellet.

    I found this fantastic free printable owl pellet bone sorting chart that you can use along with the owl pellets as you dissect them and carefully remove the individual bones.

    This is a great way to identify which ones are which.

    For younger learners try out Owl Eyesight – STEM Exploration for Kids.

    Learn about the life cycle of an owl as you label each part of the cycle with the free life cycle of an owl labeling worksheets.  

    I enjoy adding books to our library that are good for more than one use.

    Nature Anatomy is just such a resource, it has a nice section on owls with pretty illustrations, and information on bird anatomy, birds of prey, eggs, nests, and calls.

    Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

    LANGUAGE ARTS

    For preschoolers I have this wonderful O is for Owl unit with plenty of hands-on activity ideas.

    Have your middle or high school teen write a report on one species of owl including its habitat, how to identify it, and preferred prey.

    One of my favorite children’s books is Owl Moon and it makes a great addition to read aloud for this topic.

    MATH

    Try out this Owl Matching Game for kids to help your child make the connection between the number of objects and the number itself.

    Hoot Owl Hoot is a simple cooperative matching game that preschoolers will enjoy.

    GEOGRAPHY

    Owls are found in nearly every continent in the world from deserts to coniferous forests to the Arctic tundra.

    Take out a map and have your child identify the habitat of several owls.

    Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

    An ornithologist is a scientist who studies birds, including owls. Have your child research and list 3 different things that this type of scientist does.

    ART AND LIFE SKILLS

    This Owl Head craft does not have written instructions but I think the step-by-step photos are enough to create your own unique owl art piece.

    This one goes under art but is also a fantastic life skill, simple sewing to create a Stuffed Winter Owl Heat Pack.

    These paper bag owls take what would typically be a preschool project and raise it a few levels making it great for upper elementary and middle school.

    Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

    How to Dissect Owl Pellets 

    You will need:

    • Grab these large Barn Owl Pellets. When they are jumbo like this one, it’s so much more fun.
    • Tweezers
    • Skewer
    • Magnifying glass
    • Tray

    First, owl pellets generally come sanitized and with instructions, but I wanted to give you more insight and ideas for approaching the dissection.

    To make it inviting, spread out your pellets as well as the science tools on a tray.

    Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

    Use tools like skewers and tweezers to carefully pull the pellet apart.

    Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

    Remove all the little bone fragments.

    Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

    Examine them a little closer using a magnifying glass.

    Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

    Use a bone identification chart to match up the bones you find in the pellet.

    You may find enough to reconstruct a little skeleton.

    Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

    Be sure to wash up well afterward and if you want to keep your bones you can store them in a little vial on your science shelf, I have found similar to these at Dollar Tree in multipacks.

    Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

    Leave a CommentFiled Under: My Unit Studies {Free Printables & Hands-on Ideas} Tagged With: elementary science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolscience, life science, owl, science, unit studies, unit study, unit study approach

    Grimm’s Myth Stories For Kids | How to Make a Rapunzel Craft

    February 21, 2024 | Leave a Comment
    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

    Myth stories for kids are great to teach kids about storytelling.

    Whether your child’s favorite myth or fairy tale includes a glass slipper, a magic beanstalk, or a dragon there are so many fun ways to incorporate them into your homeschool curriculum.

    We are going to create a fun Rapunzel’s tower for decoration, but you could leave the hair out and use it for any kind of fairy tale myth dramatic play as well.

    Grimm's Myth Stories For Kids | How to Make a Rapunzel Craft

    This is also a great time to teach about the different methods of storytelling and the history behind each.

    Of course, I’m going to share a little bit of that with you to go along with this hands-on activity that is perfect for preschool through elementary.

    I also have a round of books to add these different stories to your book collection.

    Kids Books About Fairy Tales, Myths, and Legend

    15 Books for Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To About Fairy Tales, Legends, and Folk Tales

    You’ll love adding these books to your home library about fairy tales, legends and folk tales.

    Image for The Complete Grimms' Fairy Tales

    The Complete Grimms' Fairy Tales

    For over a century, the Grimm brothers' fairy tales have captivated the popular imagination. Their enduring magic and wonder have led to countless adaptations in film, theatre, opera, and animation, firmly establishing them as part of our cultural heritage. Now, in this exquisite leather-bound edition, experience the timeless enchantment of two hundred fairy tales and ten children's legends. Translated from German by Margaret Hunt, these cherished stories, including Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, Rapunzel, and Rumpelstiltskin, offer a treasure trove of imagination for both children and adults. Step into a world of enchantment and embrace the legacy of the Grimm brothers' extraordinary tales.

    Image for Fairy Tales Treasury: A Timeless Collection of Favorite and Classic Fairy Tales Stories for Children

    Fairy Tales Treasury: A Timeless Collection of Favorite and Classic Fairy Tales Stories for Children

    Dive into the magical worlds of your most beloved fairytales with this adorable storytime treasure both kiddos and their grown-ups will enjoy. Young readers will be whisked away to 8 wondrous adventures designed to entertain and spark one’s imagination. This deluxe treasure trove of stories celebrates all the well-loved classics including: The Gingerbread Man, Cinderella, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Hansel and Gretel, and The Three Little Pigs. An enchanting collection of favorites boys and girls will love!

    Image for Rapunzel

    Rapunzel

    This retelling of a favorite fairy tale, illustrated by award-winning artist Trina Schart Hyman in an edition Publishers Weekly called "spellbinding," has been lovingly restored. Digital technology brings back the clarity and brightness of Hyman's original watercolor paintings to illuminate the terrifying woods, handsome prince, and Rapunzel's lustrous hair, as Hyman originally painted them.

    Image for Little Red Riding Hood

    Little Red Riding Hood

    Traveling alone, deep in the woods, Elisabeth suspects her basket of treats isn’t the only thing a sly wolf is after . . .Surrounded by an abundance of wildflowers, mushrooms, pinecones, and birds, Elisabeth heads off in her red cloak to visit her ailing grandmother. She's all alone—until she is joined by a wicked wolf, who urges her to stray from her wooded path.Framed with hand-drawn patterns and textured vignettes, Trina Schart Hyman's illustrations add intrigue to the familiar story, filled with subtle detail and depth.With the help of a brave woodsman, Elisabeth and her grandmother are saved—and Little Red Riding Hood learns a valuable lesson.

    Image for Snow White: Silver Anniversary Edition

    Snow White: Silver Anniversary Edition

    Retells the familiar story of the beautiful young princess, the wicked stepmother, the seven gold-mining little men, and the handsome prince

    Image for The Blue Fairy Book

    The Blue Fairy Book

    Once upon a time in a certain country there lived a king whose palace was surrounded by a spacious garden. But, though the gardeners were many and the soil was good, this garden yielded neither flowers nor fruits, not even grass or shady trees. The King was in despair about it, when a wise old man said to him: “Your gardeners do not understand their business: but what can you expect of men whose fathers were cobblers and carpenters? How should they have learned to cultivate your garden?” “You are quite right,” cried the King. “Therefore,” continued the old man, “you should send for a gardener whose father and grandfather have been gardeners before him, and very soon your garden will be full of green grass and gay flowers, and you will enjoy its delicious fruit.” So the King sent messengers to every town, village, and hamlet in his dominions, to look for a gardener whose forefathers had been gardeners also, and after forty days one was found. “Come with us and be gardener to the King,” they said to him. “How can I go to the King,” said the gardener, “a poor wretch like me?” “That is of no consequence,” they answered. “Here are new clothes for you and your family.” “But I owe money to several people.” “We will pay your debts,” they said. So the gardener allowed himself to be persuaded, and went away with the messengers, taking his wife and his son with him; and the King, delighted to have found a real gardener, entrusted him with the care of his garden. The man found no difficulty in making the royal garden produce flowers and fruit, and at the end of a year the park was not like the same place, and the King showered gifts upon his new servant.

    Image for Tales from Grimm (Fesler-Lampert Minnesota Heritage)

    Tales from Grimm (Fesler-Lampert Minnesota Heritage)

    Renowned children’s book author Wanda Gág presents these classic Grimm tales, accompanied by whimsical illustrations. Drawing on her peasant heritage and childlike sense of wonder, Gág translated the fairy tales in a uniquely American vernacular tongue. In Tales from Grimm we find her touch on timeless stories like “Hansel and Gretel,” “The Musicians of Bremen,” “Rapunzel,” and others. No other editions of Grimm’s fairy tales for children can match Gág’s richness of prose and the humor, beauty, and sheer magic of her pictorial interpretation. Best known for her Newbery Honor winner Millions of Cats, Wanda Gág (1893–1946) was a pioneer in children’s book writing, integrating text and illustration. Born in New Ulm, Minnesota, she rose to international acclaim. In recognition of her artistry, she was posthumously awarded the 1958 Lewis Carroll Shelf Award for Millions of Cats and the 1977 Kerlan Award for her body of work.

    Image for Chinese Fairy Tales and Legends: A Gift Edition of 73 Enchanting Chinese Folk Stories and Fairy Tales

    Chinese Fairy Tales and Legends: A Gift Edition of 73 Enchanting Chinese Folk Stories and Fairy Tales

    Chinese folklore is as colourful and captivating as the Arabian Nights or the work of the Brothers Grimm or Hans Christian Andersen, yet the stories themselves remain largely undiscovered in the West. Written with economy and wit, the short, one- or two-page tales exhibit those distinct aspects of the Chinese character and approach to life which derive from the values of Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism. These include moderation, the value of promises, respect for one's elders, justice and injustice, and the power of wisdom.

    Image for Tales of East Africa: (African Folklore Book for Teens and Adults, Illustrated Stories and Literature from Africa)

    Tales of East Africa: (African Folklore Book for Teens and Adults, Illustrated Stories and Literature from Africa)

    Translated and transcribed by folklorists and anthropologists in the early 20th century, these stories evoke the distinctive beauty and irresistible humor of East African folklore.• The tales come alive alongside bold, contemporary art in this special illustrated edition.• Each story transports readers to an enthralling world.• Part of the popular Tales series, featuring Tales of Japan, Celtic Tales, and Tales of IndiaTales of East Africa will enthrall fans of fairytales and captivate those interested in East Africa's rich history and culture.Readers will encounter mischievous animals, plucky heroes and heroines, and monsters, and artist Jamilla Okubo pairs each tale with a bold and vibrant illustration.

    Image for Once on a Time: An English Fairy Tale For Adults (Annotated)

    Once on a Time: An English Fairy Tale For Adults (Annotated)

    "Once on a Time" is a delightfully satirical and sophisticated fairy tale by A. A. Milne, inspired in part by his wife and the captivating character of Countess Belvane. Set in the fantastical realms of Euralia and Barodia, this enchanting narrative offers a fresh take on traditional fairy tale tropes through Milne's signature wit and keen sense of humor. The tale follows the charming King Merriwig, the misguided King of Barodia, the enchanting Princess Hyacinth, and the alluring Countess Belvane, among other colorful characters. With its playful storytelling and richly layered narrative, this fairy story captures the hearts and imaginations of discerning adult readers, showcasing Milne's versatility as a writer and his unique ability to craft timeless stories that resonate.

    Image for Rumpelstiltskin (Paul Galdone Nursery Classic)

    Rumpelstiltskin (Paul Galdone Nursery Classic)

    Paul Galdone’s masterful storytelling brings new life to this familiar high-stakes tale of a mysterious little man who makes a devastating deal with the miller’s daughter. Sold to a king who expects her to spin straw into gold, she promises Rumpelstilstkin the most valuable thing of all in exchange for his help, and she must outwit him when he comes to claim his due.

    Children will delight in the illustrations, replete with details and rich colors. This new addition to the Folk Tale Classics series is an outstanding addition to any fairy tale collection.

    Image for Jack and the Beanstalk (Paul Galdone Nursery Classic)

    Jack and the Beanstalk (Paul Galdone Nursery Classic)

    Young readers are sure to delight in Galdone's version of this classic story, and the lively illustrations and rhythmic storytelling make it perfect for reading aloud with little ones. With a gorgeous cover in keeping with the rest of the Folk Tale Classics series, the story of Jack and his magic bean has never been more irresistible.

    Image for The Three Billy Goats Gruff (Paul Galdone Nursery Classic)

    The Three Billy Goats Gruff (Paul Galdone Nursery Classic)

    Can the three Billy Goats Gruff cross the troll’s bridge without being eaten? Find out in the perfect introduction to the beloved must-have classic by two-time Caldecott Honor-winner Paul Galdone.  

    The three Billy Goats Gruff are hungry! They want to go over the bridge and up the hillside to a fine meadow full of grass and daisies where they can eat and eat and eat.

    But under the bridge lives a troll who's as mean as he is ugly… How will they ever get past him?

    An energetic, predictable chorus makes for a wonderful read-aloud of this classic tale.

    Don't miss Paul Galdone's favorite board books, including:

    • The Gingerbread Boy Board Book
    • Henny Penny Board Book
    • The Three Little Pigs Board Book
    Image for The Gingerbread Boy (Folk Tale Classics) (Paul Galdone Nursery Classic)

    The Gingerbread Boy (Folk Tale Classics) (Paul Galdone Nursery Classic)

    “The classic tale of the old couple, with no children of their own, who bake a gingerbread boy to keep them company. Just as the little old woman is about to take him from the oven, he slips away and runs out the door past a cow, a horse, a group of threshers, mowers, etc. All follow in hot pursuit until the gingerbread boy meets up with a wily fox, and ‘at last and at last he went the way of every single gingerbread boy that ever came out of an oven . . . He was all gone!’ A wonderfully frenetic cross-country chase is depicted in Galdone’s broadly humorous color wash drawings. Of the eight editions of this well-known story now in print, this hilarious version is the most delectable.” —School Library Journal, starred

    Image for The Three Bears

    The Three Bears

    When three bears leave their house to go for a walk in the wood, leaving their porridge to cool, a young girl named Goldilocks comes calling....and what a mess she makes!

    Great Big, Middle-Sized, and Little Wee readers alike will love Paul Galdone's delightful depiction of the original folk tale.

    Next, look at these methods of storytelling.

    4 Types Of Traditional Methods Of Storytelling

    There are 4 types of traditional methods of storytelling- fairy tales, folktales, legends, and myths.

    • Myths are traditional stories, usually concerning ancient history of people and explaining a natural or social phenomenon with supernatural beings like Greek or Norse gods and goddesses of mythology.
    • Fairy Tales are usually intended for children and are adventurous stories with wondrous and fanciful places and characters. They might include fairies, elves, wizards, witches, princes and princesses, and other magical elements. An example is Grimm’s tales like Cinderella and Beauty and The Beast.
    • Folk Tales are stories that have been passed down through generations by word of mouth. They are generally timeless and not about a specific place, they vary depending on the culture and beliefs of the story tellers and reflect that.
    • Legends are heroic stories set in the not-so-distant past. Sometimes they are based on real historical figures but are exaggerated or can be completely fictionalized.

    Fairy Tales, Legends, Folk Tales, and Myth Crafts For Kids

    Check out one of the most famous American Frontier Legends and Hero Paul Bunyan Blue Ox Craft for an adorable hands on activity to highlight a tall tale.

    Every fairy princess needs a magic wand, why not use one while building up reading skills with these Magic Wand Reading Pointers .

    Upcycle and egg carton to recreate the hero of The Frog Princess with an Egg Carton Frog Prince Craft.

    Learn more about myths with my Free Greek Mythology Unit Study and Greece Lapbook & Fun Hands on LEGO Zeus.

    Mirror Mirror on the wall, isn’t this craft one of the fairest of all? This little jeweled hand mirror is just perfect to go along with Snow White.

    Grimm's Myth Stories For Kids | How to Make a Rapunzel Craft

    Finally, look at how to make this Rapunzel craft.

    How to Make a Rapunzel Craft

    You will need:

    • Potato chip can
    • Craft paint
    • Cardstock paper, 2 colors
    • School glue
    • Yellow yarn
    • Ribbon
    • Razor knife or scissors
    • Paintbrush-2
    Grimm's Myth Stories For Kids | How to Make a Rapunzel Craft

    First, wash your container inside and out with soapy water, rinse and dry well. Leave the lid off for now and set aside.

    Paint the entire outside of the can with a craft paint in your choice of color, this will be the mortar for your “stone” castle. Let it dry and add another coat if needed.

    Grimm's Myth Stories For Kids | How to Make a Rapunzel Craft

    Cut out a window near the top for Rapunzel’s hair using a sharp knife, scissors, or straight edge razor.

    Grimm's Myth Stories For Kids | How to Make a Rapunzel Craft

    Grab some colored cardstock in whatever color you want your stones to be, you can even mix up 2 or 3 if you like.

    Have your child tear it into small irregular pieces to make your stones a bit more natural.

    Grimm's Myth Stories For Kids | How to Make a Rapunzel Craft

    Paint a thick coat of school glue all over the dried paint on the outside of the chip can and press your stones all over the outside leaving a little space between each to give it the stonework look.

    Fairy Tale Craft

    The other option is to dip the back of the pieces into glue, which I found worked much easier but definitely messier.

    Grimm's Myth Stories For Kids | How to Make a Rapunzel Craft

    Once it is covered, paint over top of the paper stones with another layer of glue, allow it to dry completely overnight.

    Grimm's Myth Stories For Kids | How to Make a Rapunzel Craft

    Trace your second colored cardstock with a large bowl.

    Grimm's Myth Stories For Kids | How to Make a Rapunzel Craft

    Cut a line from one edge to the center.

    Pull one side of the cut over the other and glue into place to create a roof in a shallow cone shape.

    Grimm's Myth Stories For Kids | How to Make a Rapunzel Craft

    Replace the lid on the jar and glue the roof to it (a couple dabs of hot glue will dry the fastest).

    Braid three long lengths of yellow yarn and tie off the end with a ribbon.

    Hot glue the braid on the inside and hang it down the side, you can make it as long as you like, even letting it trail on the ground.

    Grimm's Myth Stories For Kids | How to Make a Rapunzel Craft

    Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: fairy tale, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, myths

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