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Learning Together Joyfully: Easter Baskets & Canadian Books

EASTER – April 15 – 18 Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This year it is celebrated from April 15 – 18. For some, this holiday begins with Lent—a 40-day period of fasting, prayer and sacrifice—and ends with Holy Week, which includes Holy Thursday (the celebration of Jesus’ Last Supper with his 12 Apostles).Good Friday (on which Jesus’ crucifixion is observed), Easter Sunday (the day Jesus emerged from the tomb after his crucifixion) and Easter Monday. Several non-religious Easter traditions include Easter eggs, the Easter Bunny delivering candy and chocolate eggs to children on Easter Sunday morning and related games for children such as egg hunts and egg decorating.

CANADIAN CHILDREN’S BOOK WEEK: Begin to Prepare for this Early May Event.

In preparation for the significant celebration of Canadian Children’s Book Week from May 1 to May 7, hundreds of readings are given to thousands of children in over 100 communities across the country. Hundreds of schools, public libraries, bookstores and community centres host events as part of this major literary festival. Book Week is organized by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre. It is time to begin preparing for this exciting event: find out more about what is happening in your school and public library and around the community. Here is why it is important to share Canadian authors with our children:

 

1.  Read and Sing together 📚 

CANADIAN FAN BROTHERS: Download the free 2022 poster featuring the amazing Fan Brothers which depicts the 2022 Canadian Book Week theme, Sail into Stories. It captures the magic and whimsy of stories and the unique journeys children can experience when reading. Find out more about the Fan Brothers’ books and read some of them below. 

  • The Barnabus Project by Terry, Eric and Devin Fan. In a world built for Perfect Pets, Barnabus is a Failed Project, half mouse, half elephant, kept out of sight until his dreams of freedom lead him and his misfit friends on a perilous adventure. This suspenseful, poignant and magical story about following your dreams and finding where you truly belong will draw readers into a surreal, lushly detailed world in which perfection really means being true to yourself and your friends.
  • The Night Gardener by Terry and Eric Fan. One day, William discovers that the tree outside his window has been sculpted into a wise owl. In the following days, more topiaries appear, and each one is more beautiful than the last. Soon, William’s gray little town is full of color and life. And though the mysterious night gardener disappears as suddenly as he appeared, William—and his town—are changed forever.
  • It Fell from the Sky read by Terry and Eric Fan. A book about community, art, the importance of giving back—and the wonder that fell from the sky. It fell from the sky on a Thursday. None of the insects know where it came from, or what it is. Some say it’s an egg. Others, a gumdrop. But whatever it is, it fell near Spider’s house, so he’s convinced it belongs to him. Spider builds a wondrous display so that insects from far and wide can come look at the marvel. Spider has their best interests at heart. So what if he has to charge a small fee? So what if the lines are long? So what if no one can even see the wonder anymore? But what will Spider do after everyone stops showing up?

Check out your school and public library or bookstore to buy or borrow these SPRING and EASTER recommended books. Remember that reading comprehension is enhanced when probing questions are asked by either the reader or the children.

  • Step Gently Out by Helen Frost and Rick Lieder. What would happen if you walked very, very quietly and looked carefully at the natural world outside? You might see a cricket leap, a moth spread her wings, or a spider step across a silken web. In simple, evocative language, Helen Frost hints at the many tiny creatures around us, while in stunning close-up photographs, Rick Lieder captures a katydid’s eye, a firefly, and many more living wonders awaiting discovery. Back matter amplifies the descriptions of the insects and spiders in the book.
  • Who Likes Rain? by Wong Herbert Yee. Grab your umbrella and hit the puddles! Check out this interactive question-and-answer book to find out which species enjoy the rainy April showers as much as humans do. With spring come April showers. It’s time to put on a raincoat, grab an umbrella, and head outdoors. The worms like rain, and so do the fish and frogs. But what about the cat and dog? In this lyrical picture book, one spunky little girl discovers just who likes rain—and who doesn’t—as she explores the rainy-day habits of the world around her.
  • Jigging for Halibut withTsinii by Sara Florence Davidson, and Robert Davidson. Off the northern tip of Haida Gwaii, a boy goes fishing with Tsinii, his grandfather. As they watch the weather, jig for halibut, and row with the tides, the boy realizes there’s more to learn from Tsinii than how to catch a fish.” This tender story highlights intergenerational knowledge, authentic learning experiences and the importance of Elders. It is at once poetic and calming, in both its words and illustrations, and gifts knowledge to us from those that have been entrusted with it.” -David Robertson, Governor General’s Award-winning author. As of yet, there is no YouTube readings but this is a book to keep an eye on!
  • Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown. A little bunny keeps running away from his mother in this imaginary game of hide-and-seek. Children will be profoundly comforted by this lovingly steadfast mother who finds her child every time. The Runaway Bunny, first published in 1942 and never out of print, has indeed become a classic. Generations of readers have fallen in love with the gentle magic of its reassuring words and loving pictures.
  • The Great Eggscape by Jory John. The Good Egg and his pals escape their carton and drop into the store for a morning of fun, which is enjoyed by everybody. Well, almost everybody. Shel (an egg) isn’t a huge fan of group activities, especially when he’s made to be “It” for a game of hide-and-seek. Nevertheless, Shel doesn’t want to let his friends down, so he reluctantly plays. But after a morning of hiding and seeking, somebody’s still missing. Will the dozen eggs friends ever be reunited? Find out in this hilarious egg hunt adventure that reminds us to break out of our shells and help our friends in need! A funny book to share anytime, and the two sticker sheets make it especially egg-cellent for Easter.

The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes by Du Bose Heyward. The country bunny attains the exalted position of Easter Bunny in spite of her responsibilities as the mother of twenty-one children. The classic book, which has never been out of print, has come to be regarded by some as a feminist and anti-racist statement.  This all-time favorite character, can be seen as a woman who re-enters the work force while raising a family. It is a childhood favorite in which the Country Bunny, goes on a quest to prove that she (as much as the male bunnies) can be wisest, swiftest and kindest.

  • The Golden Egg Book by Margaret Wise Brown. This classic story follows a little bunny who finds a blue egg and begins to wonder about all the wonderful things that might be inside. With colorful illustrations from Caldecott Medalist Leonard Weisgard, and a playful and endearing story by the legendary Margaret Wise Brown, this is a well loved Easter read that children will enjoy.

  • It’s Not Easy Being a Bunny by Marilyn Sadler. P.J. Funnybunny is tired of cooked carrots and his big ears. It would be way more fun to be a bear, a bird, or a pig…right? Read along as P.J. leaves home and tries to determine who he is—and where he belongs. But this bunny might just learn that all he wants to be is…himself!

SONGS: Sing and move to songs about Easter and Spring!

EASTER

2. Create Together: Puzzles, Crafts, Games, Drawing and Constructing 🧩

EASTER ACTIVITIES: Egg-cellent Activities – Decorating Easter Eggs:  Eggs are a symbol of new life and fertility. The tradition of painting and decorating eggs is one of the most popular activities for celebrating Spring and Easter. The following are several ways for children to decorate eggs.

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Howweelearn.com
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Howweelearn.com
  • Create Chalk Pastel Easter Eggs This chalk pastel Easter egg art is fun and colorful using chalk pastels on black paper. Using white glue to draw in the Easter egg designs acts as a barrier and helps to keep the pastel colors separate.
Projectwithkids.com
mothernatured.com

3. Explore, Engage & Interact together 🌍

EASTER ACTIVITIES

  • Felt Board Fun – Review Colours with the poem “This Little Chick” and create the colour felt board pieces from the following templates:
    • Black, Brown, Yellow and White Chicks   color   or   B&W
    • Purple, Green, Blue and Pink Chicks   color   or   B&W
    • You pick the color (blank) Chicks    B&W
    • Red Barn   color   or   B&W

4. Healthy Living: Movement & Nutrition 👭

MOVEMENT:

NUTRITION:

5. Reflect: Thoughts of the Day about Learning 💭