A Child's Calendar

A Child's Calendar is a picture book of poems depicting life through the seasons. Each poem represents a month of the year. This book is a Caldecott Medal winner and would be great for children in grades K-3.

I believe this book falls under two main genres, picture book and poetry. The illustrations are done in watercolor and each one enhances the readers understanding of the poetry. Each poem is labeled a different month and the poems follow a Vermont family's journey through the year.

Activities:

I think this book of poems is a great book to have in the classroom to pull out and read the poem for that month. You can have students create their own poem for each month of the year after reading the one from the book. Students can also create a picture to go along with their poem.

After reading the poem for that month, go around the room and ask students to share their favorite things to do during that month or particular season. If it is October ask about Halloween traditions, if it is February ask if students do anything fun outside in the snow or cold weather.

Reader Response Questions:

What are three words in the poem that best describe the month?

Find four things in the illustrations that connect with that month's poem

Would you add anything to the poem to help show what month is being shown?

I think this book has beautiful illustrations and is a fun way to get children excited for the upcoming month. This book is written by John Updike who is known for his short stories, novels and poetry. The book was illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman who worked in children's books for over thirty years.

More books by John Updike:

Rabbit, Run

Of the Farm

The Witches of Eastwick

More books illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman

Sense Pass King

The Healers Keep

Prince Across the Water

Updike, J. (1999). A child's calendar. New York, NY: Holiday House.