The books I remember most fondly from my childhood was those that came alive in my mind through creating and play – the human-size BFG my mom and I fashioned and I then interviewed in the classroom for my book report for Roald Dahl’s The BFG or the tall tale characters we read about and then came dressed up as (I was Bow-legged Bill).
I wanted the same for my kids so together we invite friends to read books alongside us followed by a fun book party with themed food, art, and games. Here are some recommendations for books and parties to inspire your creativity!
The Littlest Voyageur by Margi Preus
Minnesota’s very own Margi Preus wrote a charming, funny story about Voyageurs traveling to Northern Minnesota to trade furs. An adventure-seeking squirrel jumps on for the journey and misadventures and laughs ensue. This book and party were a great historical fiction read aloud for all elementary ages. Our party included:
- Renting canoes on an (unfortunately) windy day (an adventure to be sure!)
- Playing the cat and mouse Voyageur tug of war game
- Creating canoes out of craft foam
- Trading small natural items or art trading cards we had made
- A Voyageur snack of berries and bannock
- A few of us also visited the Snake River Fur Post to learn more about the fur trade and tour a replica of a trading post.
The Wild Robot Protects by Peter Brown
Any books in the widely-acclaimed Wild Robot trilogy by Peter Brown are a worthy read about friendship, family and resilience for all ages. Our party for the third book included:
- My kids pre-made an upcycled robot for the party but that could have easily been a collaborative party activity.
- Echolocation tag: One person is blindfolded and
- Played The Floor is Poison Tide
- Try drawing Roz, Brightbill and Otter
- Snacked on robotic nuts and bolts (pretzels and cheerios)
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
This Newberry-award winning book is a powerful, empathy-building story about friendship and courage. I would recommend for the 7 or 8 and older child. Our party for the book included:
- Yogurt raisins (Ivan’s favorite!), carrots (Ruby’s favorite!), and bananas / banana nice cream
- A mud mural
- Finger-painting
- Elephant hair clip craft
- Pictionary
- Water balloon “me balls”
- Tag
- Guess-in-10 Animals
- Small world zoo play with plastic animals
- Movie screening of the Disney+ One and Only Ivan film
The Penderwicks
A story of 4 sisters on summer vacation with a classic-feel. They meet a boy who they end up helping in a very sweet story of being authentic to yourself.
- Snacked on “apology” chocolate chip cookes and “goodbye” brownies
- Fashioned flower crowns from wire, vine ribbon and fake flowers
- Played pin the moustache on the Dexter
- Tried our hand at archery (using a Dexter target of course)
- Find the stuffed bunnies
- Run from the Bull tag
Odder by Katherine Applegate
A heartwarming story about the perils of life as an otter in Monterey Bay. When Odder finds herself at the Aquarium, she gets a second chance at life through a baby otter.
- Sharks Across the Ocean (played like Ships Across the Ocean)
- Small world ocean play with plastic animals
- Played an action mimicking game like the aquarists teaching the otters in the book
- Drew, colored, and cut out otters. Watercolored an ocean-scene. Attached a paperclip to the back of the cut out otter and used a magnet wand to make the otter “swim and dive” on the watercolor background.
- Ate goldfish, seaweed, and beachside cupcakes
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