Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds and Bunny Built by Michael Slack (release date 4/28/2018)...perfectly paired picture books for story time and maker activities! (grades PK-3)
Creepy Carrots has always been a favorite book to read aloud! Students love this book that is just a little bit creepy but not too scary with a fun twist at the end! Jasper Rabbit snatches carrots from Crackenhopper Field each day on his way home from school. Then, one day, he thinks the carrots have come alive and started following him everywhere he goes. Taking matters into his own hands, Jasper decides to build a fence around the field to keep the carrots in. It's fun having students design and build their own version of a fence, or different structure, to keep the carrots in (or keep Jasper out!).
This summer, I received an advanced reader's copy of Bunny Built from the ReadingCon: Collaborating for Literacy conference presented by Follett and NIU's STEM Read. As soon as I read the book, it reminded me of Creepy Carrots! In Bunny Built, LaRue is the "handiest bunny in Westmore Oaks". He loves to build things but has run out of something very important: Carrots! While asking each friend if they have any carrots, LaRue discovers that his friends have each lost something important (a house, a boat, a table, etc) that housed their own carrots. I love how when LaRue's carrot fortune changes, he decides to use his handy skills to help his friends with what they have lost. Bunny Built has large, clear pictures, rich vocabulary, and a great message.
Both books, featuring bunnies and building, are perfect for reading together during a story time. After hearing the stories, students could be provided with materials to build just like Jasper and LaRue. Materials that students could use include blocks, Legos, popsicle sticks, and straws. Students could be encouraged to plan out their "project" first. They could work in teams to collaborate on a project. Finally, students could share what they built with others. What other maker ideas can you think of that would go with these books?
Happy Reading!
