Are you looking for some kite themed children’s books to use in your classroom that includes literacy extension activities? This list may be just what you are looking for!
Kites are a wonderful unit of study with some exciting literacy experiences to explore. You may have had the opportunity to read some of these children’s books already, but hopefully, some will be a new adventure for you and your kids. Children love to read and learn about kites. Try these kite themed children’s books and some of the extension activities suggested.
1. Kite Flying by Grace Lin
This story celebrates the Chinese tradition of kite making and kite flying. It lovingly depicts a family bonded by the ancient and modern pleasure of making kites.
It is a good day for kites! The wind is blowing. The whole family makes a trip to the local craft store for paper, glue, and paint. Everyone has a job: Ma-Ma joins sticks together. Ba-Ba glues paper. Mei-Mei cuts whiskers while Jie-Jie paints a laughing mouth.
Dragon eyes are added and then everyone attaches the final touch, the noisemaker! Now their dragon kite is ready to fly!
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: How to Fly a Kite
- Kite Art Project
- Kites Make a Word Game
- Kites & Clouds Number Match Game
2. Curious George Flies a Kite by H.A. & Margret Rey
In this Curious George classic tale, everyone’s favorite monkey goes on a wild adventure that includes a powerful kite and a whole lot of playful fun and mischief right in his own neighborhood.
Curious George gets a new ball that he loves playing with. But, when he takes a peek out the window and sees a very small house, he becomes curious, so George ventures outside. This curiosity starts a comical chain of events that build up to a high-flying kite with George attached to it!
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: “My Kite”
- How Many Kites? Student Booklet
- My Kite Student Story
- Kites Roll & Cover Math Games
3. Red Kite, Blue Kite: Ji-li Jiang
When Tai Shan and his father, Baba, fly kites from their roof and look down at the crowded city streets below, they feel free, like the kites. Baba loves telling his son stories while the kites, one red, and one blue rise and soar together.
Then, bad times come and people wearing red armbands shut down the buildings and search houses. Baba is sent away, and Tai Shan goes to live with Granny Wang. Though father and son are far apart, they have a secret way of staying close. Every day they greet each other by flying their kites, one red and one blue, until Baba can be free again, like the kites.
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: My Kite
- Student Booklet: How to Fly a Kite
- Counting Kites Math Game
- Kites Math Dice Games
4. Kites by Bettina Ling
A simple book that uses less than twenty-five words, including colors. Each page is colorfully illustrated to reinforce the sentences. For beginning literacy, this is a great book to get through. Readers will have a real sense of accomplishment when they reach the end of the book with a rainbow of kites.
Literacy Extensions:
- Kites Literature List
- Kite Story Parts: Student Worksheet
- Kites Roll I! Read It! Short Vowels
- Tissue Paper Kite Art Project
5. Let’s Fly a Kite by Stuart J. Murphy
When Bob and Hannah split something, the two pieces had better be symmetrical–exactly the same. But to fly their kite, they’ll have to learn something new cooperation!
Hannah and Bob’s babysitter, Laura is so nice and smart. She suggests that they make a kite to fly at the beach. The kids immediately start arguing over whether it should be decorated with a lightning bolt or a whale.
Laura draws a line down the length of the kite, so they each have exactly the same size and shape to draw on. Later the children learn even more symmetry. They divide the back seat of the car, the beach blanket, and even their sandwiches into two equal parts. A great book to teach the geometric property of symmetry!
Literacy Extensions:
- I See Kites? Student Booklet
- Kits Story Sequencing Student Worksheet
- Kite Art Project
- Kite Number & Ten Frames
6. Berenstain Bears: We Like Kites by Jan & Stan Berenstain
A windy hill, a summer sky, a perfect day for kites to fly. Sister Bear and Brother Bear join their friends for a sun-filled day. This sweet, rhyming book has colorful pictures.
On this one beautiful summer day, Sister Bear and Brother Bear encounter kites of many different shapes and sizes. Easy reader for beginning literacy skills.
Literacy Extensions:
- Kites Word Bank
- Kites Retelling Organizer Student Page
- Kites Make a Short Vowel Word Game
- Kites Roll & Cover Math Games
Finally, there are so many kite themed children’s books you can choose from. From the discovery of what kites are to the funny tales, the list is endless. Remember to pick the books that best fit the needs of your students or children and support your learning activities. Happy Reading!
Find some more literacy and extension activities in my store, The Teaching Scene by Maureen.
To read more blog topics check out my blog, “A Guide to Using Literature-Based Units of Study.”
