MaiStoryBook Library

MaiStoryBook Library: Bear Snores on by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman + Winter Wonderland Party Wheel Craft

by MaiStoryBook

Introducing this winter holiday themed children’s book, in honor of the winter/holiday season, featured  in this week’s MaiStoryBook Library Collection:

“Bear Snores On” by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman

Book Synopsis and Review

*~ Oh, the weather outside is frightful~ But the fire is so delightful~*

In the midst of winter, and swirling snow storms, where can you find Bear?? Snuggling, cozy in his lair, hibernating, of course! And who else will you find there in the den?? A mouse, a hare, a badger, a raven, a wren, a mole, and a gopher *naturally~* As the woodland animals steadily make their way into Bear’s warm den, where Mouse has started a cozy fire, bringing with them snacks and goodies for sharing, a spontaneous winter friendship party commences~ all while Bear snores on. But, what happens though when Bear wakes up to see all of these uninvited guests, partying in his den?? Without him?? Read this special winter tale of friendship and inclusion to find out~ What happens when Bear Wakes Up??*

Brimming with cute, loveable, woodland creatures, this is the perfect read for huddling by the warm fire place on a chilly winter day, with a bowl of popcorn and a cup of black tea, or *hot cocoa with marshmallows for the kiddies.*  The clever rhyming scheme, repetition, and predictable plot make it an instant childhood favorite, as little ones giggle and guffaw over whether or not Bear will snore on, and giddily guess, *but what happens if Bear does wake up???* The perfect book for a read aloud, make sure to include those big Bear Snores~ and of course have the kiddos snore along with you! *Can you snore as loud as a bear* Little ones will definitely rise to the challenge! Also, this is a great book for talking about animals and hibernation; I love it when learning is made fun through children’s books!

Vocabulary List

  • Lair (p. 1) cave, tunnel, where a wild animal sleeps
  • Dank (p. 5) cold and wet
  • Divvy (p. 13) to share
  • Stokes (p. 20) adding wood or coal to keep a fire burning
  • Blustery (p. 29) windy

Themes/Main ideas

  • Hibernation: Perfect opportunity to introduce hibernation, and how some animals sleep through the winter
  • Friendship and inclusivity: Friends come together for food and fun. It’s the most fun when everyone is included, and everyone is laughing, chatting, and playing together!

YouTube Video: Guided Shared-Reading Read Aloud Example

Example of a shared-reading, interactive Read Aloud of “Bear Snores On” – how to subtly introduce the vocabulary list words within the text, ask guided questions, and spark conversation!

*~Check it Out~*

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Woodland Winter Party Wheel Craft

*~ Tis the season for holiday parties and family and friend gatherings ~* The best part of the holidays is spending it with the ones you love~ and sharing a delicious meal with cheer, laughter, and good conversation. Our annual holiday party at our house is my favorite festive gathering of the year! I review the guest list and their dishes for the potluck *checking it twice*, daydreaming of the bounty of savory food and sweet cookies and cakes. The house is decorated and the lights are strung, twinkling like little gems of golden light on the archways and along ceiling walls. The *real* Christmas pine tree is delicately decorated with all-glass ornaments, a *white* Christmas tree glistening with light-catching crystals. As the guests start to trickle in, the house is soon filled with the warmth of friendship, family, and love. This week’s storybook craft inspired by *Bear Snores On* recreates that joyous party aura~ revealing a winter woodland party amidst the swirling snow of winter~ A soft glow of warmth amidst a cold frosty scene.  Prepare for an afternoon of winter party prep with your little ones!

Materials

  • 1 sheet each of black, white, yellow, and blue construction paper
  • Glue stick/tape
  • Scissors
  • 1 Pipe Cleaner
  • Set of Markers
  • Pencil

Directions:

  • Layer the 4 sheets of paper and trace a large circle to fill the page. Cut it out so that you have a circle for each color.
  • Cut the white circle in half, and glue half of it to one half of the yellow circle.
  • Draw a snow scene onto the white half, treating the middle edge as the top, and the archway as the bottom

  • Cut the blue circle in half and glue one half to the black circle.
  • Trace and cut out a snowy ground shape from the remaining half of white paper, and glue it to the middle edge of the blue on the blue-black circle. Cut out little dots of snow, a moon, and starts to glue onto the blue half. Treat the middle edge as the ground, and the archway as the sky.
  • Draw trees with a  brown marker.

  •  On the black half of the circle, trace a cave opening so that there is a small border of black around the edges of the cave opening, as in the example photos.
  • Cut out the cave mouth.

  • Layer the black-blue circle on top of the yellow-white circle. Poke a small hole through the middle of the circles, just big enough to fit a pipe cleaner through.
  • Cut a small piece of the pipe cleaner and weave it through the hole, so that the two ends are sticking out on either side of the circles. Bend the edges down to keep the pipe cleaner in place. You should be able to spin the blue-black circle around on top like a wheel.

  • Position the Cave so that the yellow beneath is filling the cave entrance. Divide the yellow into five separate parts.
  • Starting from the left, in the first part, draw the mouse and the fire.
  • In the second part, draw the hare, the popcorn, and the tea.
  • In the third part, draw the badger with the honey nuts.
  • In the fourth part, draw the gopher, mole, raven, and wren.
  • In the fifth part, draw the Bear~ awake and ready to party! *optional to add balloons!

  • Reposition your Wheel so that the sky is at the top and the cave opening is filled with the snow scene below. Spin your wheel clockwise and see how the characters in the cave are slowly revealed, one-by-one!

Enjoy your Winter Woodland Party Wheel

  • Reread the story with your Reading Guide Party Wheel~ slowly spin the wheel to reveal each new friend in the cave. Follow along with the story until the full party is revealed!
  • Use the party wheel to retell the story without the book, and share with a family member or friend.
  • Make up your own story using the woodland creatures on the wheel. What’s happening today in Bear’s cave???

*~Overall, have fun creating your own *Woodland Winter Party Wheels*, and I hope you and your little ones enjoy these fun *party prep* crafts! Please comment below  – tag me on Instagram @MaiStoryBookLibrary  – or post on FaceBook to share your photos of your own *Woodland Winter Party Wheels* and your own reading adventures! I’d love to hear from you!~*

*Check Back on Next Friday for our New Reading Adventure*

*~Until next time, Happy Reading~*