The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka

Alexander T. Wolf, now in jail for crimes against the three little pigs, insists he was framed. The truth, he explains, is that he visited the neighboring pigs' homes asking for a cup of sugar to make a cake for his dear old granny. He notes he had a bad head cold that day. So there was never any violent huffing and puffing, as the traditional story says. He just had a couple of bad sneezing fits.

When he found the first two lifeless pigs in their houses, which he'd accidentally blown down, he felt it would be wrong to leave food around to spoil. So he ate ham . . . which, he says, would be just like his readers eating a big, juicy cheeseburger. He admits he was pounding violently at the third pig's door when the cops arrived, but only because the pig had made derogatory remarks about granny. That's when he was arrested and the media spun the whole event to vilify him. (http://www.pluggedin.com/book-reviews/true-story-of-the-three-little-pigs)

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs Scieszka, Jon AR Quiz No. 9506 EN Fiction  IL: LG - BL: 3.0 - AR Pts: 0.5  AR Quiz Types: RP, RV, VP  Rating:  The wolf gives his own outlandish version of what really happened when he tangled with the three little pigs.

Activities:

Teacher lessons here.
Giving Tree Games here:

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

There was once a tree that loved a little boy. Everyday, throughout his childhood, he would come and visit the tree. Each day that the little boy comes, he takes something from the tree. Sometimes, it's apples, sometimes it's shade and at times he just uses her to play on. As the boy grows older, he visits less and less. When he does visit, he always wants something. Since the tree loves the little boy, she continues to give, while the selfish young man does nothing, but take and take and take. 

Over the course of many years, the interactions between the boy/man and the tree remains the same, him taking, her giving more and more of herself until she has nothing left. Even when the tree has nothing left for the boy/man, she still continues to give in her own gentle and thoughtful way. 

credits: allreaders.com

The Giving Tree Silverstein, Shel AR Quiz No. 5469 EN Fiction  IL: LG - BL: 2.6 - AR Pts: 0.5  AR Quiz Types: RP, RV, VP  Rating:  An apple tree shares all it has with a boy from the time he is very young until he is very old.

Activities:
Teacher lessons here.
Giving Tree Games here:

Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey

"Robert McCloskey's unusual and stunning pictures have long been a delight for their fun as well as their spirit of place."-- The Horn Book Mrs. Mallard was sure that the pond in the Boston Public Gardens would be a perfect place for her and her eight ducklings to live. The problem was how to get them there through the busy streets of Boston.

But with a little help from the Boston police, Mrs. Mallard and Jack, Kack, Lack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack arive safely at their new home. This brilliantly illustrated, amusingly observed tale of Mallards on the move has won the hearts of generations of readers. Awarded the Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children in 1941, it has since become a favorite of millions.

This classic tale of the famous Mallard ducks of Boston is available for the first time in a full-sized paperback edition. Make Way for Ducklings has been described as "one of the merriest picture books ever" ( The New York Times ). Ideal for reading aloud, this book deserves a place of honor on every child's bookshelf. "This delightful picture book captures the humor and beauty of one special duckling family.

McClosky's illustrations are brilliant and filled with humor. The details of the ducklings, along with the popular sights of Boston, come across wonderfully. The image of the entire family proudly walking in line is a classic." --The Barnes & Noble Review "The quaint story of the mallard family's search for the perfect place to hatch ducklings. ... For more than fifty years kids have been entertained by this warm and wonderful story."-- Children's Literature

Make Way for Ducklings McCloskey, Robert AR Quiz No. 5524 EN Fiction  IL: LG - BL: 4.1 - AR Pts: 0.5  AR Quiz Types: RP  Rating:  A merry picture book; very few words; a gravity that underscores the delightful comedy of the pictures.

Awesome Activities here.
Cool puzzle here.

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen

"It was late one winter night when Pa' and I went owling," says the main character, a young girl who goes on a quiet journey with her father to go searching for owls, not to hunt or capture, but to simply take in their beauty.

Reading this book almost makes you feel as if you're reading a free verse poem - it is whistful, deep, and rich with imagery. Her description of the night sky, the wind or lack thereof, and the brightness of the moon.

This journey is a silent one but so much is communicated between her, her father, nature surrounding them, and the owl they encounter. It's a beautiful moment that reminds us that we don't always need noise or words, but the silent world around us says so much to us when we listen.

Owl Moon Yolen, Jane AR Quiz No. 5532 EN Fiction  IL: LG - BL: 3.2 - AR Pts: 0.5  AR Quiz Types: RP, RV, VP  Rating:  On a winter's night under a full moon, a father and daughter trek into the woods to see the Great Horned Owl.

Lesson Idead here.
Connect the dot coloring page here.
Create an owl mask here.

Owl Moon craft