Winter author study of Jan Brett

Jan Brett is required reading for the holidays. Her writing tells a story, and so do her illustrations – especially the borders. Brett’s website includes a ton of activities and coloring pages. Read these favorites–then try the fun activities! Happy holidays! Gingerbread Baby

Make gingerbread cookies into different figures – girl, boy, cat, dog and so on.
Retell the gingerbread story using your cookie as the main character. Invent new scenarios.
Print out Brett’s own animal masks to reenact the story.

Wild Christmas Reindeer

Make reindeer bags with reindeer food.
The names of the reindeer in this story are different than the more familiar names. Which ones do you like? What would you name your reindeers?
Reindeer crafts here.

The Mitten

Notice the illustrations on the borders.
Count up the animals in the story.
Print out these mittens. Talk about symmetry and matching. Decorate one mitten to match the other. Punch a hole in the bottom of both and join with a string.

Other winter books I highly recommend are The Christmas Trolls, The Night Before Christmas, The Snow Bears and The Hat. Any other favorites? What activities will you do with these books? also read: Funny Picture Book List