Around the Year
No series
on Goodreads (319)
What’s inside...
Everyone loves a celebration, and renowned illustrator Tasha Tudor offers one for every month in this enchanting treasury of seasons. Come enter a world where sledding excursions melt into summer picnics, and autumn fairs beckon Christmas cheer. A book to be enjoyed around the year!
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
64 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What's your favorite season illustrated in the book and why?
Can you describe a tradition your family has for any of the seasons?
How do the children in the book spend their days differently from how you do?
What new activity would you like to try from the ones shown in the book?
If you could create a picture for one of the months, which month would you choose and what would you draw?
Tip: Role play these questions
Begin by asking your child about their favorite time of the year and tie it back to the illustrations of the different seasons in the book.
Discuss the changing seasons and how each one affects the environment and activities, connecting it to the child's personal experiences.
Encourage the child to think about how the people in the book celebrate various occasions and compare it with your family traditions.
Use the illustrations in the book as a starting point to talk about art and encourage your child to draw or create something inspired by what they see.
Before turning the page, ask your child to guess what the next month could bring in the story based on the patterns they noticed.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Appreciating the changing seasons
Explanation: Tasha Tudor beautifully illustrates the distinct characteristics and activities associated with each season, encouraging children to observe and cherish the cyclical nature of the year.
Real-World Application: Children can become more observant of their natural environment, engaging with seasonal activities like planting in spring or leaf collection in autumn, fostering a deeper connection with nature.
Example Lesson: Understanding the concept of time
Explanation: Through the portrayal of various festivals, holidays, and activities specific to different months, the book helps children grasp the passage of time and the organization of a calendar year.
Real-World Application: This can help children in planning and anticipating upcoming events and in understanding the concept of past, present, and future.
Example Lesson: Valuing traditions and family
Explanation: The book depicts various family-centered celebrations and traditions throughout the year, emphasizing the importance of family bonds and cultural heritage.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value and participate in their own family or cultural traditions, enhancing their sense of belonging and identity.
Example Lesson: Cultivating patience and anticipation
Explanation: As the story progresses through the months, it teaches children to look forward to different times of the year and to understand that some things are worth waiting for.
Real-World Application: This can help children develop patience and a positive outlook towards waiting for special times or events, rather than expecting instant gratification.
Example Lesson: Encouraging creativity and imagination
Explanation: Each page is rich with detailed illustrations and scenes, which invites children to imagine and create their own stories or adventures based on the depicted scenarios.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to use their imagination in daily play, enhancing their creative thinking and storytelling skills.