Books by Holiday

Valentine's Day Books and Activities
The Valentine Bears by Eve Bunting Illustrated by Jan Brett Enjoy this classic story of Mr. and Mrs. Bear and their mid-hibernation Valentine's Day celebration.  The Valentine Shape Bear would make a great post writing activity as well.
My Heart is Like a Zoo by Michael Hall  This isn't a book about Valentine's Day but all of the hearts make it a perfect pick for Valentine's Day. Look at the animals created out of heart shapes by author Michael Hall and make one of your own.

Easter Books and Activities
The Easter Egg  by Jan Brett Enjoy this story of a bunny who helps create a special Easter egg and create a snack to go with the book.
Happy Easter by Kurt Wiese Read this classic book and create a simple egg carton game for your preschooler to practice matching colors.
Little White Rabbit by Kevin Henkes This wonderful picture book for preschoolers follows an independent Little White Rabbit on an imaginary journey. Use a crayon resist to "find" the Little White Rabbit.
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Chick by Lucille Colandro Following the format of the old lady who swallowed a fly, This old lady swallows a chick and all the items needed for an Easter basket.
The Story of Easter by Patricia Pingry The story of Easter for preschoolers and toddlers!
Where are Baby's Easter Eggs?  by Karen Katz A cute Easter themed lift the flap book.
The Night Before Easter by Natasha Wing An Easter twist on the famous Christmas poem.
Pooh's Easter Basket This easter book teaches colors to preschoolers.
Here Comes T-Rex Cottontail byLois Grambling T-rex steps in to fill in for the Easter bunny one Easter in this cute story.
Slide and Find Easter by Roger Priddy Sturdy board book with an Easter theme.

Earth Day Books and Activities
Earth Day Hooray by Stuart J. Murphy A lesson in saving the earth combined with a lesson in place value. After reading, help your child exercise writing muscles by creating labels for recycling bins.
The Earth Book by Todd Parr Very simple text highlights things kids can do to help save the Earth. Consider having your child write a pledge after reading this book.
Earth Day Crafts  by Carol Gnojewski  Pick a fun craft to celebrate the Earth. We chose trash monsters and slick water bottle.
The Earth and I by Frank Asch The story of a child's caring friendship with the Earth.
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss A local pollution problem presented in poetic text.

Mother's Day Books and Activities
Thank You, God, for Mommy by Amy Parker Sweet board book about an adventurous momma bear and her cub.
The Bump by  Mij Kelly A mother's love for her expectant baby grows as her "baby bump" grows.

Fathers Day Books and Activities
Just Me and My Dad by Mercer Mayer Little Critter and his dad take a father son camping trip.
Daddy Adventure Day by Dave Keane A book about a boy's first trip to a baseball game with his father.
The Fathers are Coming Home by Margaret Wise Brown Animal daddies return home to their children.
The Daddy Book by Todd Parr This book about dads celebrates the different roles dads can play.
Me and My Dad by Alison Ritchie A bear dad and cub celebrate a day outdoors.

Independence Day (Fourth Of July) Books and Activities
Fourth of July Mice by Bethany Roberts A mouse family partakes in the traditional American celebrations of Independence Day.
Corduroy's Fourth of July by Don Freeman Corduroy and his friends take in a fireworks show. After reading try a firework painting, edible sparkler, or glitter fireworks.	Firework painting with a drinking straw
Grandma Drove the Garbage Truck by Katie Clark A silly book about a Grandma who inadvertently becomes part of a fourth of July parade. Allow preschool children to decorate their own garbage truck for a parade.
The Pledge of Allegiance by Francis Bellamy This book is the illustrated text of Bellamy's original text. Preschool children will love to make flag cookies or red, white and blue flag windsocks after reading.
The Story of America's Birthday by Patricia Pingry A simple introduction to American history. After reading, celebrate with a star sun catcher, a star sort, or a star run.

Halloween and Fall Books and Activities
Five Little Ghosts Flying in the Night  by Steve Metzger A Halloween story based on the classic 5 Little Monkeys poem. Preschoolers will be able to count backward with this book by using bats on a felt board.
Five Spooky Ghosts Playing Tricks at School by Steve Metzger This is another book that follows the same classic poem, but follows the theme of ghosts. A great not-so scary ghost story to go with a not-so scary ghost decoration.
Six Creepy Sheep Judith Ross Enderle A Halloween Counting book.
Franklin's Pumpkin Franklin tries to grow a pumpkin to win a prize at the fall festival, but when he falls short, he creatively fashions the pumpkins into Cinderella's carriage as a surprise for his sister. Create your own Cinderella carriage after reading this book.
Leaves Full color photographs of babies and toddlers experiencing fall leaves and colors.
Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert Leaf collages weave a story of a leaf man who travels where the wind blows. A fun fall craft for kids is to create your own leaf man after reading this book.
When Autumn Falls
I Know it's Autumn
Leaf Jumpers
We're Going on a Leaf Hunt
The Little Yellow Leaf

Christmas Books and Activities

It's Holiday Time by Elizabeth Bennett
12 Days of Christmas by Rachel Isadora Create a Serrated Rectangle Christmas Tree Puzzle for your child to accompany this book!
Llama Llama Holiday Drama  by Anne Dewdney Is your child, like Llama Llama, tired of the holiday drama? Try this low maintenance lid tree to help your  little one relax.
Deck the Halls by Veronica Vasylenko Deck your halls with this cute button wreath.
Baby's First Christmas by Tomie dePaola Make a memento of your baby's first Christmas with this footprint Christmas tree.
Who is Coming to our House? by Joseph Slate Enjoy this book along with an angel snack!
Snowmen at Christmas by Caralyn Buehner Read this book  FREE online at wegivebooks.
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg All Aboard for a Polar Express Playdate. Activities, crafts, and snacks ideas.
The Animals' Christmas Carol by Helen Ward Read the story of the first Christmas from the animals' viewpoints. Make an edible nativity to eat while you read.
Merry Christmas Curious George by Margaret and H.A. Reys Enjoy this book about giving to others during the Holiday season. You might want to look for ways to give back like our Operation Christmas Child Project.
There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bell by Lucile Colandro Retell the story by stuff objects from the story into the old lady's "mouth" (trash can)
Twas the Night by Melody Carlson Read this rhyming version of the Christmas story and then have a Christmas Treasure Hunt.
A Christmas Prayer by Amy Parker This book is a beautiful bedtime prayer for preschoolers and incorporates the main characters of the Christmas story.
It's Christmas, David by David Shannon If your kids are fans of Shannon's David books, they'll love celebrating Christmas with the mischievous little guy.
Jingle Bells by Iza Trapani This is a multicultural spin on Jingle Bells! Great for Christmas around the world.
The Night Before Christmas  by Clement C. Moore  Illustrated by Mary Engelbreit Classic story illustrated by one of my favorite (and local) artists.
No Room at the Inn  By Jean M. Malone An early reader version of the Christmas story.