Posted on February 13th, 2012 by Carolyn - Storytime Standouts
Storytime Standouts looks at Lilly’s Chocolate Heart, a sweet story about Lilly (of Purple Plastic Purse fame) and her one remaining foil-wrapped Valentine’s Day chocolate heart.
Lilly’s Chocolate Heart written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes
Lilly is a beloved picturebook character. Best known for Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse , she also appears in Lilly’s Big Day, Chester’s Day, Wemberly Worried and Julius The Baby of the World.
Before going to bed on February 14th, Lilly must decide what to do with her one remaining foil-wrapped Valentine’s Day chocolate.
“Lilly wanted to find the perfect place to keep the heart. She looked under her bed, but it was too dusty. She looked inside her dresser, but it was too messy.”
Those who know Lilly, will agree that she is exhuberant and sometimes just a little bit impulsive so finding the perfect place for the chocolate is quite a challenge.
Lilly’s Chocolate Heart will be a delicious treat for Lilly fans who will no doubt notice her purple plastic purse hanging from a dresser drawer handle and a painting of the purse that hangs on a wall.
Posted on December 23rd, 2011 by Carolyn - Storytime Standouts
I can’t imagine the Christmas holidays without our special collection of Christmas picture books. Earlier this month, Jody shared her favourites. I have finally put together my own post. Jody and I both love The Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore, illustrated by Christian Birmingham and read it on Christmas Eve. I decided to write about a different version of the poem and mention that reading the same text with different illustrations is great for youngsters. It encourages taking a thoughtful look at the illustrations and making comparisons.
The Night Before Christmas illustrated by Jan Brett
This version of the classic Christmas poem is filled to the brim with wonderful extras. Each beautiful two-page spread is framed with details that might otherwise never be seen. As reindeer are prancing and pawing on the roof, we get a glimpse of some special tree ornaments, Santa Claus appears in the fireplace and anxious Pa quickly descends the stairs.
Long before The Polar Express was made into a movie, it was a Caldecott Award winning Christmas picture book. When a friend says, “There is no Santa,” a young boy hopes desperately that his friend is incorrect. On Christmas Eve, he goes to bed and listens intently for the sound of sleigh bells. He does not hear sleigh bells but rather hissing and clanging. He looks out his window and is amazed to see an enormous train, waiting outside his house.
A magical story, The Polar Express will encourage children and adults to Believe in the Magic of Christmas.
Posted on December 13th, 2011 by Carolyn - Storytime Standouts
Merry Christmas -Sharing one of my handpainted ornaments.
We offer all sorts of printables on Storytime Standouts. Today I thought I would put together a post that groups all of the Christmas printables for preschool, kindergarten, primary grades together.
All of our free early literacy printables, including these Christmas printables are in PDF format, if you don’t already use Adobe Reader, you will need to download it to access the printables.
Most of our free early literacy printables are available to Storytime Standouts members only. To become a member of the website (without cost or obligation), please click on the “Members” tab and register as a user.
If you appreciate our free early literacy printables,
including these Christmas early learning printables,
please support this site by visiting and purchasing from Amazon.com or Amazon.ca.
Christmas Circle Time – Songs, Rhymes and Chants
Christmas Circle Time - Santa's Spectacles Please become a member of Storytime Standouts to download this file.
Christmas Circle Time - Five Little Bells Please become a member of Storytime Standouts to download this file.
Christmas Circle Time - The Lights on the Tree Please become a member of Storytime Standouts to download this file.
Gingerbread Theme - Poem and Song Please become a member of Storytime Standouts to download this file.
Winter Snow Fingerplays Please become a member of Storytime Standouts to download this file.
Five Little Snowmen Please become a member of Storytime Standouts to download this file.
Frosty the Snowman Please become a member of Storytime Standouts to download this file.
Twas the Night Before Christmas Crossword Puzzle
'Twas The Night Before Christmas Please become a member of Storytime Standouts to download this file.
Winter Word Search Puzzle
Winter Fun Word Search Please become a member of Storytime Standouts to download this file.
Christmas Printables- Interlined Paper
Interlined Paper - Christmas Tree Please become a member of Storytime Standouts to download this file.
Interlined Paper - Gingerbread Please become a member of Storytime Standouts to download this file.
Interlined Paper - Santa, Sleigh and Reindeer Please become a member of Storytime Standouts to download this file.
Interlined Paper - Snowman Please become a member of Storytime Standouts to download this file.
Christmas Printables- Words together with Pictures
Christmas Picture Dictionary Please become a member of Storytime Standouts to download this file.
Winter Picture Dictionary Please become a member of Storytime Standouts to download this file.
Christmas Printables- Alphabet
A Christmas Alphabet Please become a member of Storytime Standouts to download this file.
A Winter Alphabet Please become a member of Storytime Standouts to download this file.
The Night Before Christmas illustration by Christian Birmingham
Christmas picture books are in a class of their own.
At home, we always keep our Christmas picture books separate from the rest of the piles. We pull them out in late November and tuck them away at the end of the season with all of the other decorations. Just like when we unwrap each ornament that has been packed away for a year, pulling out each story is equally exciting. We forget which ones we have over the year or which new ones we may have purchased at the end of the season and stored away. Over the years, we’ve read many different Christmas tales, but some stay with you throughout the season and beyond.
Here are some of my favourite Christmas picture books…
The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore, illustrated by Christian Birmingham
The classic tale that we all know; I love reading this every Christmas Eve. It makes me think of my mom, who recites the words along with me as I read because she knows it by heart. I love that the wonderment of Christmas is displayed through an adult’s eyes.
This is, hands down, one of the cutest Christmas books I’ve had the pleasure of reading. Just like anyone else, Santa can only take so much and finally becomes grumpy when nothing goes his way. The rhyme and the pictures are great. It never fails to amuse me, regardless of how many times I read it.
I have always enjoyed Mary Engelbreit’s illustrations. I often buy calendars with her pictures because they are sweet and have nice phrases on them. I purchased this book a few years ago and the illustrations are beautiful. It’s the story of a young girl who is working hard to finish her incredibly long Christmas list before Christmas Eve. Of course, in the end, she learns it’s not what’s on the list that counts. When I purchased this book, it came with a paper doll and clothes, which my children love as much as the book.
My mom gave me this book a couple years ago. You are never too old for a good pop up book. Just this morning, my youngest opened one of the pages and said, “Wow! Mommy, look at this Christmassy page!” Featuring a number of different countries, it includes pull outs, interesting facts, and beautiful images.
The illustrations in this story are very fun. It’s a favourite with my classroom kids, who like to imagine what a snowman could possibly do when no one is looking!
I can’t help but love every Olivia book and pairing her with my favourite holiday is just a bonus. As they wait for Santa to finally arrive, Olivia finds many ways to help her mom. My favourite part is when she makes a special mini Christmas tree “centre piece”.
I love the rhyme, the characters, and I absolutely love when the Grinch’s heart grows! It’s such a cute and fun story. I’m very glad that my kids are no longer scared of it!
Aside from reading to my own children, I love the joy my students get from these picture books. Though we teach differently in the intermediate grades, there is no age, or grade, limit for enjoying these stories.
Posted on November 20th, 2011 by Carolyn - Storytime Standouts
Last evening my nine year old son and I snuggled up and shared an incredible Christmas pop up book, The 12 Days of Christmas Anniversary Edition by Robert Sabuda. I was somewhat familiar with Mr. Sabuda’s artistry but this book is truly extraordinary. My son was enthralled and first called, “Daddy, Daddy, You’ve got to see this!” and then, “I have to take this to ‘share’ at school!”
A visual delight from the beginning, the last few pages – including the lit Christmas tree are fabulous.
Mr. Sabuda’s website is well worth a visit as he provides detailed instructions for ‘simple’ pops ups you can make.
Posted on November 6th, 2011 by Carolyn - Storytime Standouts
Cooking and baking with kids is worth the mess
This is a wonderful time of year to engage young children in baking and cooking. Although messy at times, baking with kids and preparing yummy treats to share with others will create memories to last a lifetime – for you and your children. I remember creating sticky and lopsided gingerbread houses with my young boys. I think they ate more of the “decorations” than they actually managed to attach to the houses! Another year, we helped Grandma bake cookies because she was recovering from a stroke and couldn’t manage by herself. The kitchen was a disaster afterwards but the laughter, memories and delicious goodies more than compensated.
Kids in the Holiday Kitchen is a fun holiday book that is sure to inspire you and your children. Offering recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and desserts as well as craft ideas, the photographs will have you reaching for cookie cutters, rolling pins and icing sugar.
Posted on October 30th, 2011 by Carolyn - Storytime Standouts
Houndsley and Catina and the Quiet Time –
Written by James Howe, illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay
When Houndsley and Catina are unexpectedly snowed in, Houndsley is quite happy to relax and enjoy The Quiet Time. Catina is not nearly as content. She has things to do and places to go. Eventually the two settle in and spend an enjoyable day playing board games, baking cookies and writing poetry. In the evening, they join their friends for a snowy outdoor concert. The musicians “began to play so softly that the notes fell on the listening ears like snowflakes on waiting tongues, gently, softly, there for a flicker before melting away.” Terrific for newly independent readers, the Houndsley and Catina books are also a very good choice for children who are ready to enjoy a longer read=aloud.
Posted on August 26th, 2011 by Carolyn - Storytime Standouts
Have you tried rebus chants in your early literacy programs? I present programs for 4,5 and 6 year old children. I use a variety of materials and have had considerable success with rebus chants. The chants are usually poems where several words are replaced with pictures. They are great for emergent readers because there is frequently repeated, predictable text.
Before going to bed on February 14th, Lilly must decide what to do with her one remaining foil-wrapped Valentine’s Day chocolate. 
or 
Christmas Circle Time - Santa's Spectacles 
