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Learning Together Joyfully: October – The Winds of Change. 

Welcome back parents, grandparents and educators. October is a month that can inspire. With Thanksgiving approaching, it is also time to teach our family to be thankful. And for many children, Halloween is their favorite holiday of the year. There are many engaging October, Thanksgiving and Halloween activities to enjoy in October as you play, learn and grow together. 

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  1. Read and Sing Together
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1.  Read and Sing Together 📚 

Look at the reading comprehension strategies below for good suggestions on how to improve children’s reading comprehension.

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BOOKS ABOUT CANADIAN THANKSGIVING: When is Canadian Thanksgiving 2024? October 14. Celebrated on the Second Monday in October. Canadian Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October and is an official statutory holiday, except in Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.

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  • Bright Baby: Happy Thanksgiving by Roger Priddy. Touch and Feel elements brings Thanksgiving to life with this excellent introduction to the holiday, from the food to family traditions and history. What is Thanksgiving? It’s turkey and pumpkin pie, but most of all it’s a time to spend with family and friends. With photographs to look at and Thanksgiving words to learn, this sturdy board book is ideal for adults to read and share with very young children to introduce them to this special holiday.
  • My Heart Fills With Happiness read by Monique Gray Smith. The sun on your face. The smell of warm bannock baking in the oven. Holding the hand of someone you love. What fills your heart with happiness? This beautiful board book, with illustrations from celebrated artist Julie Flett, serves as a reminder for little ones and adults alike to reflect on and cherish the moments in life that bring us joy. International speaker and award-winning author Monique Gray Smith wrote My Heart Fills with Happiness to support the wellness of Indigenous children and families, and to encourage young children to reflect on what makes them happy. While it’s not deliberately about Thanksgiving, this lovely story centers around Indigenous children and families, and the everyday moments that inspire joy. It’s an inclusive and heartwarming way to give homage to Thanksgiving’s theme of gratitude.

  • Happy Thanksgiving Biscuit by Alyssa Satin Capucilli. Biscuit is thankful for his bone, his biscuits, and lots more, too. Sweet puppy! Woof! Generations of children have been introduced to reading by Biscuit, the little yellow puppy.

  • Happy Thanksgiving, Curious George by H.A Rey. Today is Thanksgiving and George is so excited! He loves everything about the holiday—from the parade with music, jugglers, and big balloons to the delicious turkey shared with family and friends. But even on Thanksgiving the curious little monkey manages to stir up some trouble! Follow George through his Thanksgiving adventures with the short poems in this book.
  • Five Little Thank-Yous by Cindy Jin. Shaped like a handprint turkey art craft, this colorful rhyming board book is all about the important things to be thankful for on Thanksgiving! Thank you for this food we share, made with tender love and care. This Thanksgiving book of five important thank yous is the perfect way for parents to celebrate and share the meaning of the holiday with their child. Inspired by the construction paper Thanksgiving turkeys kids learn to draw with their hands, this novelty book has a collage art style that both adults and little ones will recognize and love!
  • Llama Llama Gives Thanks by Anna Dewdney. In this book it’s Thanksgiving time for Llama Llama and his family! That means yummy foods and autumn leaves and being thankful for everything from pumpkin pies to blue skies. Thanksgiving may only come once year, but in Llama’s family, giving thanks is always here!
  • Thankful by Eileen Spinelli. Thankful combines charming rhymes and whimsical illustrations to convey the importance of being thankful for everyday blessings.
  • Thanksgiving in the Woods (Countryside Holidays, 1) by Phyllis Alsdurf. A true holiday classic, this cozy autumn story invites readers to join in an outdoor Thanksgiving feast, full of cheer and generosity of spirit. Every year a family and their friends gather in the woods to celebrate Thanksgiving among the trees. Everyone brings something to share and the day becomes a long celebration of family, faith, and friendship. Told in a gentle, lyrical style, this picture book includes warm illustrations of people gathered around bonfires and long tables adorned with candles and food, singing songs and sharing laughter. Thanksgiving in the Woods is based on the true story of a family in Upstate New York who has hosted an outdoor Thanksgiving feast in the woods on their farm for over twenty years.

  • How to Catch a Turkey by Adam Wallace. A turkey is running loose in a school right before a Thanksgiving play. Can YOU help catch it so the show can go on? Follow along as students turn their school upside down trying to catch the turkey, ending with a twist that ensures no turkeys are harmed (or eaten!). This hilariously zany children’s picture book combines STEAM concepts and traps with a silly story and fun illustrations, perfect for starting a new fall family tradition this autumn or giving as a Thanksgiving gift for kids ages 4 and up! Thanksgiving time is here again, but there’s a turkey on the run! Can you catch this tricky bird before the school play has begun?

  • The Ugly Pumpkin by Dave Horowitz. The Ugly Pumpkin has waited all through October for someone to take him home, but no one wants him. He doesn’t look like other pumpkins. So the lonely Ugly Pumpkin leaves the patch in search of a place where he’ll fit in. By the time Thanksgiving arrives, he discovers the truth about who he is–but it’s not what he expected!
  • Bear Says Thanks (The Bear Books) by Karma Wilson. Bear has come up with the perfect way to say thanks—a nice big dinner! When Bear decides to throw a feast, his friends show up one by one with different platters of delicious food to share. There’s just one problem: Bear’s cupboards are bare! What is he to do? Karma Wilson’s playful text and Jane Chapman’s charming illustrations bring to life this celebration of family and friendship. Young readers will delight in discovering the special gift Bear has to share.
  • I Am Thankful: A Thanksgiving Book for Kids by Sheri Wall. Teach kids about coming together with loved ones to give thanks! I Am Thankful is an adorable, rhyming storybook that follows three different families as they celebrate the holiday with their own traditions, acts of kindness, and ways of giving back. Kids will learn how to be thankful for the people and world around them as they delight in the sweet illustrations that show diverse families and exciting Thanksgiving adventures. This heartfelt, poetic story will show young ones the meaning of giving and sharing.
  • Thankful by Eileen Spinelli. Celebrate everyday blessings, practice thankfulness, and observe the wonderful acts of service that keep us going each and every day. Eileen Spinelli, bestselling and award-winning children’s author, charms with rhymes and whimsy in Thankful, perfect for any young reader and their family. Like the gardener thankful for every green sprout, and the fireman, for putting the fire out, readers are encouraged to be thankful for the many blessings they find in their lives. Spinelli exhibits her endearing storytelling with this engaging poem, reminding children how blessed and special they are. Meant to be read aloud, this heartwarming picture book will be a treasured keepsake for parents and children alike.
  • A Little Thankful SPOT (Inspire to Create A Better You!) by Diane Alber. A story that celebrates everyday blessings and practices thankfulness. Diane Alber’s bestselling books have taught kids about kindness, unconditional love, respecting people, and so much more! In A Little Thankful SPOT, you will follow a little yellow SPOT around as he shows you what he’s thankful for in hopes that it will inspire YOU to write your very own THANKFUL list! From everyday activities like reading and stomping in puddles to the joy he has with his big HAPPY family, you will start to think about all that YOU’RE thankful for.
  • Grateful: A Song of Giving Thanks by John Bucchino. In this exquisite picture book and accompanying CD recorded by Art Garfunkel, Anna-Lisa Hakkarainen’s radiant paintings bring John Bucchino’s words to life. A joyous celebration of the beauty of the seasons, the wonders of nature, and the blessings of faith, here is a gift to be treasured by children and adults of all ages.
  • Duck for Turkey Day by Jacqueline Jules. It’s almost Thanksgiving, and Tuyet is excited about the holiday and the vacation from school. There’s just one problem: her Vietnamese American family is having duck for Thanksgiving dinner – not turkey! Nobody has duck for Thanksgiving – what will her teacher and the other kids think? To her surprise, Tuyet enjoys her yummy thanksgiving dinner anyhow – and an even bigger surprise is waiting for her at school on Monday. Dinners from roast beef to lamb to enchiladas adorned the Thanksgiving tables of her classmates, but they all had something in common – family! Kids from families with different traditions will enjoy this warm story about “the right way” to celebrate an American holiday.
  • Molly’s Pilgrim by Barbara Cohen. A modern Thanksgiving classic about an immigrant girl who comes to identify with the story of the Pilgrims, as she seeks religious freedom and a home in a new land. Now with a gorgeous new cover and lovely interior illustrations. As Molly nears her first Thanksgiving in the New World, she doesn’t find much to be thankful for. Her classmates giggle at her accent and make fun of her unfamiliarity with American ways. And Molly’s mother only makes things worse when she creates a doll for a school Thanksgiving project that looks more like a Russian refugee than a New England Pilgrim. But the tiny modern-day pilgrim just might help Molly to find a place for herself in America. The touching story tells how recent immigrant Molly leads her third-grade class to discover that it takes all kinds of pilgrims to make a Thanksgiving. 
  • The Littlest Pilgrim by Brandi Dougherty. Mini is the littlest Pilgrim in her village. Too little to sew. Too little to bake. Too little to fish. But she’s not too little to make a friend. Kirsten Richards’s adorable art brings to life this Pilgrim friendship tale—perfect for Thanksgiving or anytime!
  • Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message (Reading Rainbow Book)by Chief Jake Swamp. A traditional Iroquois celebration of the beauty and spirit of Mother Earth, as told by a contemporary Mohawk chief. For as long as anyone can remember, Mohawk parents have taught their children to start each day by giving thanks to Mother Earth. Also known as the Thanksgiving Address, this good morning message is based on the belief that the natural world is a precious and rare gift. The whole universe – from the highest stars to the tiniest blade of grass – is addressed as one great family. Now readers of all ages can share in this tribute to the environment, adapted especially for children by Chief Jake Swamp, whose efforts to share this vision of thanksgiving take him all over the world. Chief Swamp’s inspirational message, along with Erwin Printup, Jr.’s unforgettable landscapes, make Giving Thanks a timeless celebration of the spirit of nature.

  • 10 Fat Turkeys by Tony Johnston. A fun, silly, bouncy rhyming book that teaches little ones how to count backwards! Perfect for fall, or all-year-round! “Looky!” says a silly turkey swinging from a vine. Gobble gobble wibble wobble. Whoops! Now there are nine. Children will gobble up this hilarious story about ten goofy turkeys and their silly antics: swinging from a vine, strutting on a boar, doing a noodle dance, and more! Beloved author Tony Johnston brings a lively energy to the text, which first-time illustrator Richard Deas brings to life as wild and wacky fun!

  • A Turkey for Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting. Mr. and Mrs. Moose invite all their animal friends for Thanksgiving dinner and the only one missing is Turkey. When they set out to find him, Turkey is quaking with fear because he doesn’t realize that his hosts want him at their table, not on it.
  • A Plump and Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman. When the people of Squawk Valley find themselves without a turkey for their Thanksgiving feast, they hatch a plot to lure one into town: They’ll advertise for a “model” turkey to pose during a turkey-themed arts-and-crafts fair. Once the model is finished posing, he’ll make the perfect main course for the Squawk Valley Thanksgiving feast. But the citizens of Squawk Valley don’t plan on meeting up with a turkey as sly as Pete―a bird so clever, he just may outsmart them all!
  • A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving by Charles M. Schulz. Celebrate Thanksgiving with Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang in this retelling of the beloved Thanksgiving TV special! When Peppermint Patty invites herself (and most of her friends) to Charlie Brown’s house for Thanksgiving dinner, Charlie Brown reluctantly agrees to make a holiday feast even though he can barely make toast and cold cereal! Can he pull together a memorable meal, or will he and his friends just be grateful when it’s over?
  • Arthur’s Thanksgiving by Marc Brown. Celebrate Thanksgiving with Arthur! When Arthur is picked to direct his school’s Thanksgiving play, all his friends beg him for the lead role. But not everyone can be the star, and someone has to be the turkey! Can Arthur find the perfect lead, the perfect turkey, and save the day?
  • Franklin’s Thanksgiving by Paulette Bourgeois. In this Franklin Classic Storybook, our young hero likes everything about Thanksgiving, from eating pumpkin-fly pie to making cornucopias. But what he likes best is having his Grandma and Grandpa share the holiday with him and his family. This year, however, his grandparents are traveling abroad. Thanksgiving just won’t be the same without guests around the table, so Franklin decides to invite some friends for dinner. What a nice surprise it will be for his parents. Only Franklin’s mother and father have the same idea, and on Thanksgiving Day all their friends show up for the festivities! With no more room in the house, where will the holiday meal take place?
  • Friendsgiving read by Nancy Siscoe. Let this be the year to start a new tradition: Friendsgiving! A cozy autumn picture book, featuring a sweet and universal take on Thanksgiving—the perfect treat for fall.  The leaves are falling, the air is crisp, and Berry, Ginger, and Willow are enjoying the delights of fall. When these old friends join with new friends to bask in the bounty of the season, there is a lot to be thankful for—and a new tradition is born . . . Friendsgiving!

  • How to Catch a Turkey by Adam Wallace. A turkey is running loose in a school right before a Thanksgiving play. Can YOU help catch it so the show can go on? Follow along as students turn their school upside down trying to catch the turkey, ending with a twist that ensures no turkeys are harmed (or eaten!). This hilariously zany children’s picture book combines STEAM concepts and traps with a silly story and fun illustrations, perfect for starting a new fall family tradition this autumn or giving as a Thanksgiving gift for kids ages 4 and up! Thanksgiving time is here again, but there’s a turkey on the run! Can you catch this tricky bird before the school play has begun?

  • I Am Thankful: A Thanksgiving Book for Kids by Sheri Wall. Family and friends, with grins ear to ear, gather together―Thanksgiving is here! Thanksgiving books for kids teach us about coming together with our loved ones and to give thanks for all that we have. I Am Thankful is an adorable, rhyming standout in Thanksgiving books for kids that follows three different families as they celebrate this wonderful holiday with their own traditions, acts of kindness, and ways of giving back. Kids will learn how to be thankful for the people and world around them as they delight in the warm, sweet illustrations that show diverse families and exciting Thanksgiving adventures. This heartfelt, poetic story will show young ones the meaning of giving and sharing.

  • Pete the Cat: The First Thanksgiving by Kimberly and James Dean. Starring in the school Thanksgiving play would make even the coolest cat nervous. But when Pete the Cat gets onstage, he makes learning the story of the first Thanksgiving fun. With thirteen flaps that open to reveal hidden surprises, this book is sure to be a holiday favorite for every Pete the Cat fan.
  • The Best Thanksgiving Ever by Teddy Slater. A family gathers to celebrate all that they’re grateful for. But wait, there’s a twist! This funny, rhyming read-aloud story features turkeys who celebrate Thanksgiving! The Turkey clan arrives from all over the world, excited for their annual feast. But what will they eat? It turns out everyone is thankful…for Thanksgiving corn! Teddy Slater’s lively text and Ethan Long’s humorous illustrations create a sweet story about the importance of family and being thankful.

  • The Night Before Thanksgiving by Natasha Wing. Gobble Gobble! It’s turkey time! Thanksgiving is yet another big moment to be celebrated in Natasha Wing’s best-selling series. Everyone’s favorite fun-filled, family-filled, food-filled holiday is almost here! Follow along as the feast is prepared, cousins are greeted, and everyone gathers around the table, all with an extra helping of holiday fun. This family fun read-aloud makes the perfect gift to get young readers excited for this festive fall holiday!
  • Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes. Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks! This book is a great introduction for younger readers. Everyone knows that Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks—the question is, where to begin? From the turkey on the table to warm, cozy cuddles, life is full of small things and bigger pleasures. But what’s most important is being able to share them with family. Julie Markes reminds kids and adults alike about the little details that make each day enjoyable, while Doris Barrette’s beautiful and striking illustrations bring her thoughtful words to life. Perfectly in tune with what children are thankful for—such as a park, slides, and pets, and especially their family—this is a warm and genuine way to share the true Thanksgiving spirit.
  • The Berenstain Bears Thanksgiving Blessings by Jan & Mike Berenstain. Brother, Sister, and Honey Bear teach children how to give thanks for all that God has given them as they journey to Gran and Gramps for Thanksgiving dinner. Young readers will develop an understanding of God’s divine blessing and the virtue of giving thanks to him in this addition to The Berenstain Bears Living Lights™ series. Join the Berenstain Bears as they explore the value of being thankful in The Berenstain Bears Thanksgiving Blessings. It’s Thanksgiving Day and the cubs could not be more excited for pie, roast turkey, and all the trimmings. But Mama reminds them that there are more important things to be thankful for beyond the feast. Papa joins in and teaches the cubs about the many sacrifices that Bears made before them, so that they all can enjoy freedom, faith, and family today! Children will discover ways to share goodness The book emphasizes the following: Encourages age appropriate discussions about giving thanks and counting your blessing in life; An engaging story about appreciating what you have and being grateful for family, friends; Perfect for back-to-school reading, holiday snuggle time, and holiday gift-giving.

  • Thanksgiving Is For Giving Thanks by Margaret Sutherland. This sweet picture book about being thankful is a great way to celebrate Thanksgiving with the youngest readers! Thanksgiving is about pilgrims and history–and turkey, of course!–but most importantly, it’s a holiday about everything that we are thankful for. Cheerful, colorful illustrations accompany the simple text in this celebration of family, friends, and the holiday that brings them all together. A great introduction to the concept of giving thanks and appreciation of everyday things.

  • Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano. Turkey is in trouble. Bad trouble. The kind of trouble where it’s almost Thanksgiving…and you’re the main course. But Turkey has an idea―what if he doesn’t look like a turkey? What if he looks like another animal instead? After many hilarious attempts, Turkey comes up with the perfect disguise to make this Thanksgiving the best ever! Wendi Silvano’s comical story is perfectly matched by Lee Harper’s watercolors.

  • ‘Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey. From Dav Pilkey, creator of the New York Times bestselling Dog Man and Captain Underpants series, comes a tall tale of tall-tailed toms! On the night before Thanksgiving, a group of children visit a turkey farm and meet Farmer Mack Nuggett and his coop of cockerels: Ollie, Stanley, Larry, Moe, Wally, Beaver, Shemp, and Groucho. The children and turkeys giggle and gobble, and everything is gravy. As the trip comes to an end, the children leave the farm with full hearts — and bulging bellies — reminding people and poultry alike that there is much to be thankful for.
  • Sarah Morton’s Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Girl by Kate Waters. At sunup when the cockerel crows, young Sarah Morton’s day begins. Come and join her as she goes about her work and play in an early American settlement in the year 1627.There’s a fire to build, breakfast to cook, chickens to feed, goats to milk, and letters and scripture to learn. Between the chores, there is her best friend, Elizabeth, with whom she shares her hopes and dreams. But Sarah is worried about her new stepfather. Will she ever earn his love and learn to call him father?

  • Samuel Eaton’s Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Boy by Kate Waters. Samuel Eaton is a young boy living in an early American settlement in the year 1627, and today is the day he will help with his first rye harvest! If he can prove to his father he’s up to the task, he will be able to help with all of the harvest. But harvesting rye is even more difficult than he expected. Was he foolish to think he could do a man’s work?
  • Thanksgiving in the Woods by Phyllis Alsdurf. A true holiday classic, this cozy autumn story invites readers to join in an outdoor Thanksgiving feast, full of cheer and generosity of spirit. Every year a family and their friends gather in the woods to celebrate Thanksgiving among the trees. Everyone brings something to share and the day becomes a long celebration of family, faith, and friendship. Told in a gentle, lyrical style, this picture book includes warm illustrations of people gathered around bonfires and long tables adorned with candles and food, singing songs and sharing laughter. Thanksgiving in the Woods is based on the true story of a family in Upstate New York who has hosted an outdoor Thanksgiving feast in the woods on their farm for over twenty years. Full of warmth and nostalgia, the Countryside Holiday series celebrates family, community, simplicity, and generosity.

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HALLOWEEN – Thursday, October 31st. Halloween also referred to as Allhalloween, All Hallows’ Eve, or All Saints’ Eve is celebrated yearly on October 31, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows’ Day or more commonly known as All Saints’ Day. Halloween is such a fun and unique time of year. We dress up in costumes and indulge in some delicious sweet treats. Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without some spooky good stories! Here’s a list of some great Halloween books for kids of all ages who enjoy a good scare.

  • Ten Timid Ghosts by Jennifer O’Connell. This bestselling counting book for beginning readers is filled with ghosts, a witch and spooky fun!It’s Halloween, and ten timid ghosts in a haunted house have a problem: a mean witch has moved in and is planning to scare them out, one by one! Young trick-or-treaters learn to count down from ten to one as each ghost flees from the witch’s silly costumes and homemade props. When the homeless ghosts gather in the woods, their fear turns to determination and they plot to get their house back. Will the ghosts frighten the witch away in time for Halloween night? 
  • The Bad Seed Presents: The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky by Jory John. Halloween is the Bad Seed’s favorite holiday of the year. But what’s a seed to do when he can’t find a show-stopping costume for the big night? Postpone trick-or-treating for everyone, of course! Can he get a costume together in time? Or will this seed return to his baaaaaaaaad ways? Find out in this hilarious, charming, and thought-provoking continuation of Jory John and Pete Oswald’s bestselling Food Group series.

 

  • Pig the Monster (Pig the Pug) by Aaron Blabey. Pig the Pug celebrates Halloween in this book. Pig was a pug and I’m sorry to say, on Halloween night he’d get carried away. Pig, the world’s greediest pug, is on the rampage for TREATS! TREATS! TREATS! But don’t even think about being stingy with the goodies, because this candy-fueled glutton has some terrible tricks up his sleeve. Rich with author-illustrator Aaron Blabey’s signature rhyming text and unforgettable illustrations, Pig the Monster is a laugh-out-loud story.

  • Halloween Is Coming! By Cal Everett. A fun, rhyming read-aloud Halloween picture book that starts a new holiday tradition. Perfect for  any young child wanting to celebrate the spookiest season of the year! Marching in the school parade in frightening costumes that we’ve made; Look around, the signs are clear, Halloween is getting near! This book is a lyrical celebration of the building excitement that children―and adults!―feel as the magical and mysterious night of Halloween approaches.

  • Hardly Haunted by Jessie Sima. From the bestselling creator of Not Quite Narwhal comes a delightfully spooky story about an old house who wants to be a home…even if her new family isn’t what she expected. House has a problem. She’s a little spooky. She’s a little cobwebby. Oh, no! What if she’s haunted? She’s not sure, but…her hinges creak. Her pipes bang. And on windy days, the branches scritch-scratch at her windows. She tries to hold her breath and be as still as possible. If she’s on her best behavior, maybe a family will move in. How will House ever find a family that doesn’t mind being haunted?
  • That Monster on the Block by Sue Ganz-Schmitt. Monster is excited to see what kind of creature will move into Vampire’s old house on the block. He even starts practicing his welcome growl for the new neighbor. But when the moving truck pulls up, it’s not a greedy goblin, an ogre, or a dastardly dragon that steps out. Instead, it’s something even more terrifying than Monster could have imagined! Monster quickly rallies the other neighbors to unite against the new guy on the block. But what if the new neighbor isn’t exactly as bad as Monster thinks? Join Monster as he confronts his fears in this charming and lighthearted look at what it means to accept others who are different from us.

  • Creepy Carrots! (Creepy Tales!) by Aaron Reynolds. In this Caldecott Honor–winning picture book, The Twilight Zone comes to the carrot patch as a rabbit fears his favorite treats are out to get him.Jasper Rabbit loves carrots—especially Crackenhopper Field carrots. He eats them on the way to school. He eats them going to Little League. He eats them while walking home. Until the day the carrots start following him…or are they? Celebrated artist Peter Brown’s stylish illustrations pair perfectly with Aaron Reynold’s text in this hilarious picture book that shows it’s all fun and games…until you get too greedy.

  • Skulls! By Blair Thornburgh. Debut picture book author Blair Thornburgh and award-winning illustrator Scott Campbell put their heads together to celebrate one of the most important bones in your body: the skull! You probably don’t think much about skulls. So what’s the big deal about them? Well, every head of every person you’ve ever seen has a skull inside. And that includes YOU! This smart, skull-positive story cheerfully dispels any fears kids might have about their skeletons, flipping our view of skulls from a spooky symbol to a fascinating, cool, and crucial part of our bodies.

  • The Pomegranate Witch by Denise Doyen. When a scary old tree blooms with the most beautiful pomegranates ever seen, the neighborhood kids’ mouths water with anticipation. But the tree isn’t theirs—and it has a protector! So begins the Pomegranate War, a fun, rollicking, rhyming tale of a battle between the sly, plucky young rascals and their wry, witchy neighbor who may have more than one trick up her sleeve. This delectable romp from award-winning children’s poet Denise Doyen and acclaimed illustrator Eliza Wheeler honors classic children’s literature and revels in nostalgia for free-to-roam days full of playful invention.

  • Pick a Pumpkin by Patricia Toht. Pick a pumpkin from the patch. Tall and lean or short and fat. Vivid orange, ghostly white, or speckled green, might be just right. Pairing a wonderfully rhythmic read-aloud text with expressive retro illustrations, author Patricia Toht and illustrator Jarvis capture all the excitement and familial feeling of a favorite holiday tradition. Readers will be happy to follow along with each step, from picking out the perfect specimen at the pumpkin patch (be sure to stop for cider and toffee apples) to carting it home, scooping out the insides, carving a scary face, and finally lighting a candle inside — savoring the familiar ritual of transforming an ordinary pumpkin into a one-of-a-kind glowing jack-o’-lantern.

  • The Short Straw by Irene Mathias. Halloween night, a haunted house. Are you brave enough to go inside? Trick-or-treating has never been this much fun, or this scary. The Short Straw is a narrative poem about being brave enough to enter a haunted house on Halloween night!

  • Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman. A little bat uses brains over brawn in this not-so-scary Halloween picture book. The witch has grown the biggest pumpkin ever, and now she wants to make herself a pumpkin pie for Halloween. But the pumpkin is so big she can’t get it off the vine. It’s so big the ghost can’t move it, either. Neither can the vampire, nor the mummy. It looks as if there’ll be no pumpkin pie for Halloween, until along comes the bat with an idea to save the day. How can the tiny bat succeed where bigger and strong spooky creatures have failed? You’ll be surprised!

  • Creepy Pair of Underwear! by Aaron Reynolds. From the celebrated team behind Creepy Carrots!, Aaron Reynolds and Caldecott Honor winner Peter Brown, comes a hilarious (and just a little creepy) story of a brave rabbit and a very weird pair of underwear. Jasper Rabbit is NOT a little bunny anymore. He’s not afraid of the dark, and he’s definitely not afraid of something as silly as underwear. But when the lights go out, suddenly his new big rabbit underwear glows in the dark. A ghoulish, greenish glow. If Jasper didn’t know any better he’d say his undies were a little, well, creepy. Jasper’s not scared obviously, he’s just done with creepy underwear. But after trying everything to get rid of them, they keep coming back!

  • Pumpkin Countdown by Joan Holub. A fun trip to the pumpkin patch that includes counting, grouping, and more. Fall has come, and what better way to celebrate than a field trip to the pumpkin patch! From 20 name tags on coats all the way down to 1 last pumpkin song, the class counts everything in sight! Follow along in this sweet, rhyming picture book, with interactive counting on each spread. Count the 8 orange pumpkins, tall, 7 yellow pumpkins, bumpy, and much more! Including autumnal illustrations and pumpkin facts, this book is perfect for the fall season and an extra fun way to teach children to count backward from twenty.
  • Flashlight Night by Matt Forrest Esenwine. This book is an ode to the power of imagination and the wonder of books. Three children use a flashlight to light a path around their backyard at night; in the flashlight’s beam another world looms. Our heroes encounter spooky woods, a fearsome tiger, a time-forgotten tomb, an Egyptian god, a sword-fighting pirate, and a giant squid. With ingenuity, they vanquish all, then return to their tree house—braver, closer, and wiser than before—to read the books that inspired their adventure.

  • Room on the Broom by Julia Doaldson. This fun family read-aloud is the perfect way to start Halloween celebrations and an ideal gift book. A sweet story of quick wits, friendship, and inclusivity from the creators of The Gruffalo! The witch and her cat are happily flying through the sky on a broomstick when the wind picks up and blows away the witch’s hat, then her bow, and then her wand!  Luckily, three helpful animals find the missing items, and all they want in return is a ride on the broom.  But is there room on the broom for so many friends?  And when disaster strikes, will they be able to save the witch from a hungry dragon? Room on the Broom Song
  • Bone Soup by Cambria Evans. Known across the land for his infamous appetite, Finnigin is never seen without his eating stool, his eating spoon, and his gigantic eating mouth. When Finnigin finds himself in a new town on Halloween, he hopes to join a great feast with the creatures who live there. But not a body or soul will share any of their food with the ever-famished Finnigin. So what’s a hungry skeleton to do? Armed only with his wits and a special ingredient, will Finnigin be able to stir up a cauldron’s worth of Halloween magic?

  • Leo: A Ghost Story by Mac Barnett. You would like being friends with Leo. He likes to draw, he makes delicious snacks, and most people can’t even see him. Because Leo is also a ghost. When a new family moves into his home and Leo’s efforts to welcome them are misunderstood, Leo decides it is time to leave and see the world. That is how he meets Jane, a kid with a tremendous imagination and an open position for a worthy knight. That is how Leo and Jane become friends. And that is when their adventures begin. This charming tale of friendship—from two of the best young minds in picture books: the author of the Caldecott Honor–winning Extra Yarn and the illustrator of the Bologna Ragazzi Award–winning Josephine—is destined to become a modern classic that will delight readers for years to come.

  • Stumpkin by Lucy Ruth Cummins. Stumpkin is the most handsome pumpkin on the block. He’s as orange as a traffic cone! Twice as round as a basketball! He has no bad side! He’s perfect choice for a Halloween jack-o-lantern. There’s just one problem—Stumpkin has a stump, not a stem. And no one seems to want a stemless jack-o-lantern for their window. As Halloween night approaches, more and more of his fellow pumpkins leave, but poor Stumpkin remains. Will anyone give Stumpkin his chance to shine?

  • The Scariest Book Ever by Bob Shea. Reader beware! This is the scariest book ever! Or so claims its melodramatic ghost narrator. Go ahead and turn the page, but don’t expect him to come with you. Anything might pop out of that black hole in the middle of the forest! What do you mean, it’s just a bunny? Well, it’s probably a bunny with big fangs! Despite the ghost’s fear-mongering, none of the animal characters seem very scary at all…. What’s up with that? Many delights—such as surprises after the page turns, a wildly over-the-top narrator, and perfect punch lines for readers to anticipate—make this book a scream for both kids and parents. 

  • Little Blue Truck’s Halloween: A Halloween Book for Kids by Alice Schertle. Beep! Beep! It’s Halloween! Little Blue Truck is picking up his animal friends for a costume party. Lift the flaps in this large, sturdy book to find out who’s dressed up in each costume! Will Blue wear a costume too? 

  • Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White. What can you do with too many pumpkins? Rebecca Estelle has hated pumpkins ever since she was a girl when pumpkins were often the only food her family had. When an enormous pumpkin falls off a truck and smashes in her yard, she shovels dirt over the pieces and forgets about them. But those slimy pumpkin smithereens sprout up in autumn, and Rebecca Estelle finds a sea of pumpkins in her garden.  A heartwarming classic for more than twenty years, this story shows what happens when one thrifty gardener figures out how to make other people happy with the squash she can’t stomach. 
  • How to Make Friends with a Ghost by Rebecca Green. What do you do when you meet a ghost? One: Provide the ghost with some of its favorite snacks, like mud tarts and earwax truffles. Two: Tell your ghost bedtime stories (ghosts love to be read to). Three: Make sure no one mistakes your ghost for whipped cream or a marshmallow when you aren’t looking! If you follow these few simple steps and the rest of the essential tips in How to Make Friends with a Ghost, you’ll see how a ghost friend will lovingly grow up and grow old with you.  A whimsical story about ghost care, Rebecca Green’s debut picture book is a perfect combination of offbeat humor, quirky and sweet illustrations, and the timeless theme of friendship. How To Make Friends with A Ghost Song
  • Bonaparte Falls Apart: A Funny Skeleton Book by Margery Cuyler. Carve out family time for this clever and humorous picture book about a skeleton who is falling to pieces that needs help pulling himself together. Bonaparte is having a tough time. It’s hard for this young skeleton to just hang loose when he can’t keep hold of himself. When he plays catch, his throwing arm literally takes a flier. Eating lunch can be a real jaw-dropping occasion. How can he start school when he has so many screws loose? Luckily, Bonaparte hit the bone-anza when it came to his friends. Franky Stein, Blacky Widow, and Mummicula all have some bonehead ideas to help pull him together. But will it be enough to boost his confidence and get him ready for the first day of school?

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Songs:

THANKSGIVING VIDEOS:

HALLOWEEN VIDEOS:

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

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3. Explore, Engage & Interact Together 🌍

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THANKSGIVING ACTIVITIES:

4. Healthy Living: Movement & Nutrition 👭

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MOVEMENT: Brain Breaks: Brain breaks are planned learning activity shifts that mobilize different networks of the brain. These shifts allow those regions that are blocked by stress or high-intensity work to revitalize.

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THANKSGIVING:

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HALLOWEEN: 

THANKSGIVING:

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HALLOWEEN: 

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NUTRITION: There are many benefits of eating healthy for your child and your family. It has been found to improve memory and concentration; it improves our immune system; we have increased energy; increased productivity; more nutrients for the body; we can often handle stress better; and it can improve rest and sleep. (lisawilliamsfitnesscoach.org.)

5. Reflect: Thoughts of the Day About Learning 💭

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

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HAPPY HALLOWEEN

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HAPPY OCTOBER

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