Posted in Books and Reading, holiday, phonics, Reading

Press Release “I is for Imani: A Kwanzaa Alphabet Book”

I is for Imani

Unabashed Kids Media is happy to announce the release of “I is for Imani!: A Kwanzaa Alphabet Book” written by Kerice Robinson. Learn about the celebration of Kwanzaa with this brightly colored holiday letter book. Children will go through each letter in the alphabet and learn how it relates to the principles of Kwanzaa.

“I is for Imani” teaches kids about Kwanzaa in a fun and easy to digest way. Simple ABCs of Kwanzaa book. The book has a word for every letter in the alphabet and relates the words to Kwanzaa. The book also gives a simple and kid-friendly definition of each word. Purchase on Amazon or Google Play.

Take a Peek Inside: “I is for Imani!”

I is for Imani: A Kwanzaa Alphabet Book
Take a peek inside “I is for Imani”

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Posted in Books and Reading

10 Fun Halloween Themed Picture Books for Kids!

Let’s get in the Halloween spirit! These 10 fun Halloween themed picture books will get kids and adults excited for the holiday. Click any of our affiliate links to get the book on Amazon.

Peek a flap board book

Boo! Halloween Lift-a-Flap Book Ages 0 to 4. This is a super fun peek-a-boo board book. Kids get to look around the pumpkins, choose their favorite costume, take a haunted ride, and so much more. This book will be a Halloween adventure for little ones.

big pumpkin

Pig Pumpkin Written by Erica Silverman and Illustrated by S.D. Schindler – Kindle Only. Children get to read how a witch who grew the biggest pumpkin, makes her Halloween pumpkin pie.

creepy pair of underwear

Creepy Pair of Underwear! by Aaron Reynolds and Illustrated by Peter Brown. Super funny story about a brave rabbit and a strange pair of underwear. Kids will love it.

weird but true national geographic

Weird but true Halloween: 300 Spooky facts to scare you silly. Kids will have so much fun with this one. This National Geographic Kids book proves that all Halloween Children’s books don’t have to be fiction.

berenstain bears trick or treat

The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat by Stan & Jan Berenstain. Take a visit to the Bear Country with this classic Berenstain Bears Halloween story.

Corduroy's Best Halloween Ever

Corduroy’s Best Halloween Ever! by Don Freeman and illustrated by Lisa McCure. Come along for the journey as Corduroy gets ready for Halloween.

Room on the broom

Room on the Broom written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. This is a heart warming story of wits, friendship, and inclusivity.

The monster on the block

That Monster on the Block written by Sue Ganz-Schmitt and illustrated by Luke Flowers. What does it mean to accept others in different forms? This book features vampire, monsters and goblins but it is much more than a Halloween book.

The little old lady who was not afraid of anything

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything – Kindle Only. What do you think can scare a brave Little Old Lady?

The night before Halloween

The Night Before Halloween written by Natasha Wing and illustrated Cynthia Fisher. This is a silly spooky Halloween story.

Get monthly book list, craft ideas, and FREE printables

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Unabashed Kids has published an Halloween Activity Book for kids ages 4 to 10. Included in this activity book are 50 pages of Halloween-themed counting, coloring, pencil skills, mazes, and word searches. Purchase for only $4.50 on Amazon! This is a super fun Halloween Activity Book for kids ages 4 to 10. ISBN 979-8539884543

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Pirate coloring page
Witch Word Search - Halloween Themed for kindergarteners
Unscramble the Words -  Halloween themed

Posted in Books and Reading

31 October Picture Books: A List of Books to Read for Children Ages 3 to 8

Children should read everyday. It doesn’t matter if it is the same book over and over again or a different book everyday. Unabashed Kids has created a list of 31 picture books to read in the month of October. The books on this list can be read by children of all ages but may do a better job keeping the interest of children ages 3 to 8.

Unabashed Kids is an affiliate for Amazon and other online retailers. That means that if you use the links found on Unabashed Kids blog to make a purchase, we receive a small percentage of the purchase price. It never changes the price you pay and we select every item mentioned on the site!
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Comment below, tell us what books you read with children during the month of October.

Posted in Books and Reading

Ultimate List of Anansi the Spider Books – African and West Indian Tales

Anansi the Spider is a popular character in African and West Indian folklore, known for his trickery and wit. In this article, we present the ultimate list of Anansi the Spider books, featuring tales that have been passed down through generations. Our list includes books for all ages, from picture books to novels, and celebrates African and West Indian cultures while showcasing the wisdom of this beloved character. Whether you’re a fan of Anansi or looking to explore new tales, our ultimate list of Anansi the Spider books is a great resource to discover and enjoy.

Who is Anansi the Spider?

The main character Anansi has captivated the imaginations of people for generations. Also known as Ananse, Nancy, Anancy, Hapanzi, and Nanzi, Anansi is a personified spider who is the protagonist of whimsical tales. Not just any spider, Anansi is a spider with a unique personality that is insightful, intelligent, and full of wisdom. In some stories, Anansi can change from his spider form to a human form, which makes him even more fascinating.

Throughout Anansi stories, he is also portrayed as a trickster. Anansi is known for his cleverness and wit, which he uses to teach morals, ethics, politics, and social values to his listeners. He does this by leading them to the truth through examples, puzzles, and twists of fate. Anansi’s cleverness can be seen in the way he outsmarts his opponents and solves complex problems. However, Anansi stories are not only entertaining but also provide valuable lessons that can be applied to real-life situations.

Where did Anansi stories originate? What regions continue to tell them?

The Akan people, an ethnic group that lives in the Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire regions, are the originators of the Anansi stories. In addition to the Akan people, the Ashanti people are also known to tell Anansi stories. These tales have spread throughout the West African region and the Caribbean, where they continue to be told to this day.

The reasons why Anansi stories continue to be told in regions of Africa and the Caribbean are multifaceted. First and foremost, these stories are an essential part of the cultural heritage of these regions. They represent a rich and vibrant history, connecting people to their ancestors and cultural roots. The tales of Anansi are also a means of passing down cultural values, morals, and wisdom from one generation to another. These stories are often used as teaching tools, providing valuable lessons on topics such as resourcefulness, perseverance, and courage.

Furthermore, the tales of Anansi, the trickster spider, are entertaining and engaging. The character of Anansi is beloved for his cunning, wit, and ability to outsmart others. These stories are often accompanied by music, dance, and other forms of performance. This is a popular form of oral storytelling that continues to captivate audiences of all ages.

Overall, Anansi stories continue to be an integral part of the cultural identity of regions of Africa and the Caribbean. They serve as a link to the past, a source of wisdom and entertainment, and a means of passing down cultural traditions and values to future generations

List of 12 Anansi the Spider Books

Posted in Books and Reading

10 Bug and Insect Books for Little Kids

The classic bug theme in primary school or preschool. I can recall when my second grade class kept caterpillars in our classroom and released them on the playground when they turned to butterflies. There are so many ways to teach children about bugs and insects, but a great book should always be the start. Below is a list of 10 bug and insect books from elementary and preschool children.

I'm Trying to Love Spiders

I’m Trying to Love Spiders

A book that teaches children the not so frightening things about spiders.

Bugs: A Stunning Pop-up Look at Insects, Spiders, and Other Creepy-Crawlies by George McGavin

Larger-than-life bugs spring from the pages of this book. Children will love looking through the pages.

Bugs book
A very quiet cricket

The Very Quiet Cricket Board Book by Eric Carle

A newborn cricket meets other insects as they greet him, he tries to respond but does not yet know how to chirp.

Willbee the Bumblebee by Craig Smith

A rhyming book about a bumblebee.

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willbee the bumblebee book
little yellow bee

Little Yellow Bee Board Book by Ginger Swift

A little bee introduces the reader to the animals and plants in the garden.

The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle

Eric Carle is an extraordinary children’s author. See our list of the best Eric Carle Books. Books like “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” and “The Very Busy Spider” by Eric Carle make the list.

the grouchy ladybug
on beyond bugs

On Beyond Bugs: All about Insects (Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library) by Tish Rabe

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There’s a Bug on My Book! by John Himmelman

An interactive book that teaches cool facts about bugs and insects.

there's a bug on my book
the backyard bug

The Backyard Bug Book for Kids: Storybook, Insect Facts, and Activities by Lauren Davidson

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A Butterfly Is Patient by Dianna Aston

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a butterfly is patient

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Posted in Books and Reading, learning colors

FREE Children’s e-book “Red, Blue, and Green! What Colors Are On My Plate?”

Best color book for toddlers.
k to "1 2 3! What can I eat?" and "ABC Name My Food!", "Red, Blue, and Green! What colors are on my plate?" is a food-themed book for young readers.
Best color book for toddlers.
k to "1 2 3! What can I eat?" and "ABC Name My Food!", "Red, Blue, and Green! What colors are on my plate?" is a food-themed book for young readers.
Best color book for toddlers.
k to "1 2 3! What can I eat?" and "ABC Name My Food!", "Red, Blue, and Green! What colors are on my plate?" is a food-themed book for young readers.
Best color book for toddlers.
k to "1 2 3! What can I eat?" and "ABC Name My Food!", "Red, Blue, and Green! What colors are on my plate?" is a food-themed book for young readers.
Best color book for toddlers.
k to "1 2 3! What can I eat?" and "ABC Name My Food!", "Red, Blue, and Green! What colors are on my plate?" is a food-themed book for young readers.

A color and food recognition book for toddlers.

“Red, Blue, and Green! What colors are on my plate?” is a food-themed book for young readers.

Children look through over 20 brightly colored “real images” of foods and name the color of each food. Fruits, vegetables, carbs, meats, and cheeses make up a beautiful rainbow-colored plate. A perfect book to introduce picky eaters to new foods. Come along for the journey and discover new delicious foods.

E-Book Available for $0 on Amazon with Kindle Unlimited.

E-Book Available for $1.99 USD on Amazon

Paperback Available for $8.99 USD on Amazon – Price $7.50 UK

Posted in Arts and Crafts, Books and Reading, learning colors

12 Books About Colors for Children

Learn to identify colors with these books.

We’ve created a list of 12 colorful children’s books that teach color theory in an entertaining way. These books will help children identify colors and mix colors. All books are chosen by Unabashed Kid’s Editors and are affiliate linked to amazon.com. To purchase books from this list just click on the book cover or title, to shop directly on Amazon.

Dog’s Colorful Day by Emma Dodd

In this story Dog starts off the day with one black spot on his ear. But it seems that wherever he goes, he runs, rolls, and trots right into more colors. As he wanders around town, Dog collects spots made of red jam, blue paint, pink ice cream, and more.

dog's colorful day
a color of his own
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A Color of His Own by Leo Lionni

All of the animals have colors of their own except for the chameleon. He is yellow like a lemon, even black and orange striped like a tiger! Then one day a chameleon has an idea to remain one color forever by staying on the greenest leaf he can find. But in the autumn, the leaf changes from green to yellow to red . . . and so does the chameleon.

This book is perfect for teaching children to identify all of the colors around us. As a bonus the book also teaches a great lesson about friendship, as the chameleon meets another chameleon to travel with him.

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

Duncan’s crayons go on strike. They write letters to express their grievances. What can Duncan possibly do to appease all of the crayons and get them back to doing what they do best? Coloring.

A fun activity for 1st to 3rd graders is to have them write their own letter’s from Duncan or the crayons perspective. This is a great letter writing exercise.

the day the crayons quit
the day the crayons came home

The Day the Crayons Came Home by Drew Daywalt

Every kid has probably lost a crayon or entire box of crayons at school or on a road trip. In this story Duncan finds out what happens to lost crayons.

How Do Dinosaurs Learn Their Colors? by Jane Yolen

Board book to help dinosaur loving toddlers learn their colors. Jane Yolen’s Dinosaur series is super fun and creative. Children find answers to some of the most creative questions.

how do dinosaurs learn their colors
color

Color by Ruth Heller

This book is for upper elementary kids. A perfect walk through of how artwork is created on paper. Great for an elementary art classroom.

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Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Lionni

Little Blue and Little Yellow are best friends, kept separate. When they finally find each other, they give each other such a big hug that they turn green!

This is an amazing picture book for children as it shows them color mixing instead of telling them. The book has very few words, but tells a wonderful story through images.

little blue and little yellow
monsters love colors

Monsters Love Colors by Mike Austin

Did you know that monsters love to scribble, mix, dance, and wiggle?! Why? Because monsters love to make new colors! Children will have a blast reading this story.

Color Dance by Ann Jonas

The girl in red, the girl in yellow, the girl in blue, and the boy in black and white are all set to stir up the rainbow. This super creative story will aid in teaching color mixing.

color dance
mix it up

Mix it Up by Herve Tullet

As the title suggest, the readers will learn to mix colors. Very simple writing with color splattered mixtures. This book gets to the point and is a great reference for learning about color mixing.

White Rabbits Color by Alan Baker

Children will enjoy learning about colors with White Rabbit.

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color
Mouse paint

Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh

This playful introduction to colors will appeal to any curious preschooler. One day three white mice discover three jars of paint–red, blue, and yellow. But what happens when they splash in the colors, mixing the red and blue?

Take a look inside “Red, Blue, and Green! What color is on my plate?

Best color book for toddlers.
k to "1 2 3! What can I eat?" and "ABC Name My Food!", "Red, Blue, and Green! What colors are on my plate?" is a food-themed book for young readers.
Best color book for toddlers.
k to "1 2 3! What can I eat?" and "ABC Name My Food!", "Red, Blue, and Green! What colors are on my plate?" is a food-themed book for young readers.
Best color book for toddlers.
k to "1 2 3! What can I eat?" and "ABC Name My Food!", "Red, Blue, and Green! What colors are on my plate?" is a food-themed book for young readers.
Best color book for toddlers.
k to "1 2 3! What can I eat?" and "ABC Name My Food!", "Red, Blue, and Green! What colors are on my plate?" is a food-themed book for young readers.
Best color book for toddlers.
k to "1 2 3! What can I eat?" and "ABC Name My Food!", "Red, Blue, and Green! What colors are on my plate?" is a food-themed book for young readers.

A color and food recognition book for toddlers.

The companion book to “1 2 3! What can I eat?” and “ABC Name My Food!”, “Red, Blue, and Green! What colors are on my plate?” is a food-themed book for young readers.

Children look through over 20 brightly colored “real images” of foods and name the color of each food. Fruits, vegetables, carbs, meats, and cheeses make up a beautiful rainbow-colored plate. A perfect book to introduce picky eaters to new foods. Come along for the journey and discover new delicious foods.

Available for $3.99 USD on Amazon

Posted in Books and Reading

Start The School Year Off Right, With These Books!

Is your little one nervous about going to school for the first time? OR Are you a teacher looking for a book to help introduce a positive classroom dynamic? Starting fresh in a new environment, meeting a teacher and new classmates can seem overwhelming to children. This list of books will help students feel more comfortable about the new school year. Scroll down and choose a book to help start the school year off right.

List of books to read on the first day of school (Elementary / Primary School)

The Night Before First Grade! Written by Natasha Wing – Available on Amazon

It is the night before the first grade! Penny is excited to start the year with her best friend right beside her in the same classroom. This humorous take on Clement C. Moore’s classic tale will help children through their back-to-school jitters.

The night before first grade book is on the Unabashed Kids back to school list.
"A Letter From Your Teacher" book is on the Unabashed Kids back to school list.

A Letter From Your Teacher- on the first day of school. Written by Shannon Olsen – Available on Amazon

This heartwarming picture book helps teachers welcome their students on the first day of school. Through a letter written from the teacher’s point of view, students are given the message that their new teacher is someone they will get to form a special bond with.

Our Classroom is a Family by Shannon Olsen – Available on Amazon

“Family isn’t always your relatives. It’s the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile, and who love you no matter what.”

Teachers build a sense of community within their classrooms, creating a home away from home where they make their students feel safe. Reading “Our class is a family” on the first day of school, sets the ton for the inclusiveness that will be carried out throughout the school year.

"Our Class is a Family" book is on the Unabashed Kids back to school list.
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"Unique Start from 6 Feet Apart" book is on the Unabashed Kids back to school list.

A Unique Start from 6 Feet Apart by Emily Oquendo – Available on Amazon

Students returning to school in fall 2021, will experience a school year different than any precious years. These students will wear mask, social distance, and be taught plenty of hygiene methods to prevent virus spreading in schools.

If You Take a Mouse to School by Laura Numeroff – Available on Amazon

“If you take a mouse to school, he’ll ask you for your lunch box. When you give him your lunch box, he’ll want a sandwich to go in it. Then he’ll need a notebook and some pencils. He’ll probably want to share your backpack, too.”

"If you take a mouse to school" book is on the Unabashed Kids back to school list.
"The Day You Begin" book is on the Unabashed Kids back to school list.
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The Day You Begin by Jaqueline Woodson – Available on Amazon

This book is perfect for upper primary school students, grades 3 to 5. There will always be a new kid in school, no matter what grade level. This story will help students understand that we are all different, but it is ok to embrace our differences.

“There will be a times when you walk into a room and no one there is quite like you.”

“There will be many reasons to feel different. Maybe it’s how you look or talk, or where you’re from; maybe it’s what you eat, or something just as random. It’s not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody really knows you yet, but somehow you do it.”

Ellie the Elephant Makes New Friends at School by Agnes Green – Available on Amazon

“I woke up this morning, as happy as could be, excited for the day ahead, dressing hurriedly, I raced downstairs and kissed my mom, on my first day of school.”

"Ellie the Elephant Makes New Friends at school" book is on the Unabashed Kids back to school list.
"I got the School Spirit" book is on the Unabashed Kids back to school list.

I Got the School Spirit by Connie Schofield-Morrison – Available on Amazon

A celebration of the first day of school. This beautifully illustrated book will get students ready to learn all school year.

Are there any “back to school” books left off this list? Use the comment section to share some of your favorite back to school books for elementary kids.

The best homeschool workbook for kindergarten and first grade.
Posted in Books and Reading

36 Quotes that Inspire from Children’s books

  1. Piglet: “How do you spell love?” Pooh: “You don’t spell it, you feel it.” – A.A. Milne, Winnie The Pooh
  2. “Promise me you’ll remember, you are BRAVER than you believe, STRONGER than you seem, SMARTER than you think.” A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh
  3. “A person’s a person, no matter how small.” -Dr. Seuss
  4. “No act of kindness no matter how small is ever wasted.” Aesop, The Lion and the Mouse
  5. “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince
  6. “There’s no place like home” L. Frank Braum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
  7. “‘Why did you do all this for me?’ he asked. ‘I don’t deserve it. I’ve never done anything for you.’ ‘You have been my friend.’ replied Charlotte. ‘That in itself is a tremendous thing.’” E.B. White, Charlotte’s Web
  8. “Numbing the pain for a while will only make it worse when you finally feel it.” J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
  9. “The moment where you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever being able to do it.” J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
  10. “Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” Roald Dahl, The Minpins
  11. “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” – Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax
  12. “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun, and the job’s a game.” P.L. Travers, Mary Poppins
  13. “The true courage is in facing danger when you are afraid.” Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
  14. “It’s no use to go back to yesterday because I was a different person then.” Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland
  15. “Sometimes” said Pooh; “the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh
  16. “I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, as long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be.” Robert Munsch, Love You Forever
  17. “If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you.” A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh
  18. “If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.” Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden
  19. “Never hurry and never worry” E.B. White, Charlotte’s Web
  20. “Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?” Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
  21. “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Dr. Seuss, I can read with My Eyes Shut! 
  22. “She had blue skin, and so did he. He kept it hid, and so did she. They searched for blue. Their whole life through then passed right by and never knew.” Shel Silverstein, Every Thing On It
  23. “The teacher taught me the word in school. I wrote it in my book. B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L. Beautiful! I think it means something that when you have it, your heart is happy.” Something Beautiful by Sharon Dennis Wyeth, illustrated by Chris K. Soentpiet
  24. “Daddy tells me it is beautiful. That makes me proud. I love that my hair lets me be me!” by Matthew A. Cherry, Hair Love
  25. “There will be times when you walk into a room and no one there is quite like you… until the day you begin to share your stories. And all at once, in the room where no one else is quite like you, the world opens itself up a little wider to make some space for you.” Jacqueline Woodson, The Day You Begin
  26. “A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.” Roald Dahl, The Twits
  27. “But then I realized, what do they really know? This is MY idea, I thought. No one knows it like I do. And it’s okay if it’s different, and weird, and maybe a little crazy.” Kobi Yamada – What Do You Do with an Idea?
  28. “How much good inside a day? Depends how good you live ‘em. How much love inside a friend? Depends how much you give ‘em.” —Shel Silverstein, A Light in The Attic
  29. “There is nothing sweeter in this sad world than the sound of someone you love calling your name.” —Kate DiCamillo, The Tale of Despereaux
  30. “The more he gave away, the more delighted he became.” – Marcus Pfister, The Rainbow Fish
  31. “If things start happening, don’t worry, don’t stew, just go right along and you’ll start happening too.” —Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
  32. “We all can dance,” he said, “if we find the music that we love.”—Giles Andreae, Giraffes Can’t Dance
  33. “It has been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. My mom says some days are like that. Even in Australia.”– Judith Viorst, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
  34. “I think I can. I think I can. I think I can. I know I can.” —Watty Piper, The Little Engine That Could
  35. “Have the courage to follow your dreams.” – Bunheads by Misty Copeland
  36. “Live your life in full color, every tint, every hue. Discover! Explore. Have faith but love more.” – When God Made You, by Matthew Paul Turner

Posted in Books and Reading

Plant and Flower Books – Unabashed Kids List

Storytime provides a great opportunity to teach new lessons to children. This list of 12 books about plants and flowers is a wonderful addition to a plant life cycle lesson for children. At the bottom of this post you can take a look at our plant themed lesson plans which include with FREE worksheets.​


12 Books about Flower and Plant Growth

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When you purchase any of the 12 books about flower and plant growth, using links on our website, Unabashed Kids may receive a small commission (at no added cost to you). Your support helps us continue to discover and share incredible kids’ books!


FIND MORE FUN PLANT AND FLOWER ACTIVITIES

Learning the Parts of a Plant

Parts of a Plant: Lesson Plan and Worksheets for Kids This article will provide a FREE lesson plan for teachers along with worksheets for kids who are learning the parts…