Esphyr Slobodkina’s Caps for Sale tells the story of a hat peddler who falls asleep beneath a tree with all of his hats on his head. When he awakes, his hats are missing. The thieves are a band of monkeys sitting in the tree above him. The peddler must then figure out how to get his caps back, but these thieves are not people that may be reasoned with. The monkeys are an element of nature, and like other conflicts of nature in literature, they are senseless and unpredictable. The way that characters solve conflicts of nature reveals much about their character strengths and virtues. As you talk about the peddler, you might look at his good and negative traits, and ultimately, consider the role of grace in the ending. 

In this lesson we will begin by reviewing the story elements with photocopies of some of the illustrations from the book. You will want to make copies or quick sketches of the main characters, and key narrative moments and have these ready before you begin the lesson. After some basic discussion questions, your students will fill out a Reader’s Journal page, which will set them up well for an optional written response activity. Finally, you will learn a little bit about the author and try an art activity inspired by her life story!

Cynthia Rylant’s first book in the Lighthouse Family seriestells the story of Pandora, a cat who keeps a lighthouse, and Seabold, an old sea dog who washed ashore on Pandora’s beach. While Pandora is committed to helping save lives by maintaining the light on the lighthouse, she longs for the company of others. When Seabold washes up, Pandora has a rare opportunity to make a lasting friendship. It is through witnessing Pandora’s courage and determination, that Seabold, ever the wanderer, finally sees that living for his own interests is less than fulfilling. Both characters effect a change on each other as their characters develop. 

In this lesson we will begin by reviewing the story elements with photocopies of some of the illustrations from the book. You will want to make copies or quick sketches of the main characters, and key narrative moments and have these ready before you begin the lesson. After some basic discussion questions, your students will fill out a Reader’s Journal page, which will set them up well for an optional written response activity. The lesson will finish out with some hands-on exploration of lights and mirrors as you talk about how lighthouses work. 

Tomie dePaola’s Days of the Blackbird is a story of hope in the darkest days of winter. Set in Italy in the middle ages, Days of the Blackbird tells the story of a noble Duke named Gennaio and his little daughter Gemma. Together, father and daughter, delight in the sweet songs of the birds around their home every spring and summer. But one summer, Ducca Gennaio falls ill, and Gemma is certain that only the song of the birds outside his window will cheer him enough to help him live through the winter. Gemma begins caring for the birds to convince them to stay all winter rather than migrating south. But as one bird after another flies away, Gemma must have hope even on the coldest and bleakest of winter days. 

In this lesson we will begin by reviewing the story elements with photocopies of some of the illustrations from the book. You will want to make copies or quick sketches of the main characters, and key narrative moments and have these ready before you begin the lesson. After some basic discussion questions, your students will fill out a Reader’s Journal page, which will set them up well for an optional written response activity. Finally, I have included my great-grandmother’s recipe for Italian donuts, or Sfingi. Served warm and topped with powdered sugar, they are the perfect Italian, winter treat!