“Too Many Carrots,” Origami, Carrot Cookies, and Worksheets

Lesson Plans “Too Many Carrots” is such a cute story about kindness all children love. Rabbit loves carrots and that’s a big problem! In this phenomenal bestseller, Rabbit loves carrots a little too much. In fact, his carrots are crowding him out of his cozy burrow. When his animal friends offer to help, they’re just […]

“The Day of the Bad Haircut” and Cutting Paper Hair

All kids I have ever met have cried at least once during or after getting a haircut. That’s why I have often borrowed The Day of the Bad Haircut by Eva Moore from the library. In The Day of the Bad Haircut Molly finally allows her mother to cut her hair, after weeks of protesting, […]

“Hooray for Hat!” and Make Paper Hats

Creative Wednesdays There’s a pervasive dark cloud of grumpiness among the animal friends in Hooray for Hat! by Brian Won, until Elephant gets a delivery of a box containing hats. So he puts all of the hats on his head, and goes visiting his friends, who are also grumpy, giving each of them a hat […]

“Little Dandelion Seeds the World” and Cotton Swab Dandelion

Creative Wednesdays Who doesn’t love blowing fluffy dandelion seeds? My Nanny Kids literally spend hours blowing the soft flowers in the parks and fields we visit each summer. So, I was so excited to find Little Dandelion Seeds the World by Julia Richardson. This is a wonderful book for young readers that teaches that the […]

“Are You a Bee?” and Honeybee Bubblewrap Painting

Lesson Plans Many people are afraid of bees but honey bees are incredible. Are You a Bee? by Judy Allen with illustrations by Tudor Humphries shows that — from the perspective of a honeybee — the backyard is a busy place. A young bee faces many challenges as it takes its place in the hive. […]

Painted Fireworks

Fourth of July means fireworks in America. Read “The Night Before the Fourth of July” by Amy Wummer then have your Nanny Kids make painted fireworks. To help keep the colors separated we made one toilet paper roll for each color of paint, (red, white, and blue). This craft is great because it is simple […]

“Red: A Crayon’s Story” by Michael Hall

June is Pride Month. One of the best ways to teach kids about the important history behind this commemoration and celebration of LGBTQIA+ rights is through reading. Children’s books can be used as a tool to highlight the beautiful diversity in families and identities. Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall is a great book […]

“The Ugly Duckling” and Swan Craft

Weekly Trip to the Library The Ugly Duckling is an infamous story by Hans Christian Anderson whose fairytales have become loved around the world, including The Little Match Girl and The Little Mermaid. Born different, The Ugly Duckling is mocked by his siblings, rejected by other ducks, and even shunned by his own mother. The […]

“F is for Flag” by Wendy Cheyette Lewison for Flag Day

Weekly Trip to the Library June 14 is Flag Day. F Is for Flag by Wendy Cheyette Lewison is perfect for reading together with a young child. F Is for Flag shows in simple terms how one flag can mean many things: a symbol of unity, a sign of welcome, and a reminder that-in good […]

“Elmer’s Friends” by David McKee and Puppets

Creative Wednesdays David McKee’s most famous creation is Elmer the Patchwork Elephant which is published in more than 40 languages. In Elmer’s Friends we learn about the spotty, stripy, tall, and long elephant named Elmer and meet all of Elmer’s very best friends! This chunky board book with easy-grip toddler tabs on every page is […]