read the book, play the game!

We are always looking for ways to enrich our story time experiences whether it be through a craft, a snack recipe, or a game. Being able to take that story and its characters one step further through activities is so fun, and I feel like it helps my kids with reading comprehension because the activity echoes back the character names and plot lines.  

There are some great story book themed board games out there.  Here are a few.  

READ: 

Goodnight Moon

By Margaret Wise Brown, Clement Hurd

Buy on Amazon

PLAY:

Goodnight Moon Game

Briar Patch

Buy on Amazon

READ:

The Cat in the Hat

By Dr. Seuss

Buy on Amazon

PLAY:

Dr. Seuss What's in the Cat's Hat? Game

The Wonder Forge

Buy on Amazon

READ:

Stone Soup (Aladdin Picture Books)

By Marcia Brown

Buy on Amazon

PLAY:

Peaceable Kingdom Stone Soup Award Winning Cooperative Game for Kids

Peaceable Kingdom

Buy on Amazon

READ:

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

By J.K. Rowling

Buy on Amazon

PLAY:

Harry Potter Wizard Chess Set (NN7580)

The Noble Collection

Buy on Amazon

READ:

A Treasury of Curious George

By H. A. Rey, Margret Rey

Buy on Amazon

PLAY:

I Can Do That Games Curious George - Discovery Beach

The Wonder Forge

Buy on Amazon

Do you have a book-inspired board game that you and your kids love?  Let me know! 

story time around the world! let's go to france.

  What better way to kick off the summer than with a trip to France?  Ooh la la!  Let's go! 

• This Is France by Miroslav Sasek 

We've shared books from this classic series of travel guides for kids on the blog before, and they are so much fun!  This is Paris takes readers through the streets of the City of Light tromping over its famous bridges, through its beautiful squares, meeting its fashionable people, and learning interesting factoids about the city along the way. 

• Bon Appetit! The Delicious Life of Julia Child by Jessie Hartland

Also shared on the blog last year, any fan of Julia Child no matter the age will treasure this book.  It follows the talented chef and all-around amazing woman through her childhood into adulthood telling her story through playful comic strip and collage like graphics.  

• Stone Soup by Marcia Brown

This Caldecott winner is a wonderful lesson in sharing and community and also brings the reader to the world of Brittany, France of old.  Three soldiers are traveling and come to a small Breton village.  The villagers see them coming and hide all of their food so the soldiers don't ask for a hand out.  The soldiers tell them they can make a magical soup from stones.  The villagers are intrigued.  The soldiers say that stone soup goes well with carrots and onions and maybe some meat.  Before long, the village shares a delicious pot of stone soup and a night of fun and friendship.  I love the pictures in this one with all of what I picture Brittany to be with the tall lace headpieces, folk costumes, and thatched roof houses.  

• Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans 

Everyone's favorite Parisian redhead is a must for a French story time - the simple rhymes, the hand drawn illustrations, the spunky little girl named Madeline who is brave and kind and smart.  

• Hello World Paris: A Book of Shapes by Ashley Evanson

Visit Parisian sights from the Arc de Triomphe to a yummy patisserie to the Louvre and find shapes along the way.