Are you looking for some Easter themed children’s books to use in your classroom that include literacy extension activities? This list may be just what you are looking for!
Easter can be a great theme to engage your students. It is filled with some exciting literacy experiences to explore. You may have had the opportunity to read some of these Easter books already, but hopefully some will be a new adventure for you and your kids. Explore with your children the theme of Easter by trying these engaging books and some of the extension activities suggested.
1. The Easter Egg by Jan Brett
It is Spring and time for rabbits to decorate the eggs for the Easter Bunny. Hoppi is finally old enough to join in the fun and hopes he can make the winning egg.
He just doesn’t know what kind of egg to make. This wonderful story takes you on Hoppi’s journey with beautiful illustrations filled with dazzling eggs!
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: “How to Make an Easter Egg”
- How Man Eggs? Student Booklet
- The Easter Egg Art Project
- Easter Egg Numbers & Number Word Counting Game
2. How to Catch the Easter Bunny by Adam Wallace
This book is from the How-to Catch Series and takes you on the journey of how to catch the Easter Bunny. The story narrated by the Easter Bunny focuses on how he avoids increasingly complex traps set up to catch him.
This colorful illustrated book with its rhyming text will leave you smiling and wondering how you could catch the Easter Bunny?
Literacy Extensions:
- “To Catch the Easter Bunny” Classroom Book
- How to Catch the Easter Bunny Retelling Graphic Organizer
- Bunny Art Project
- Easter Roll & Bump Math Dice Games
3. The Easter Egg Farm by Mary Jane Auch
Mrs. Pennywort’s hen, Pauline, can’t seem to lay eggs like the other hens, until she finds some inspiration, and a strange talent. When she nests outside to get away from the noise and teasing of the others, Pauline manages to lay a beautiful sky-blue egg. Watching a ladybug in the grass, she lays a bright red spotted egg. The hen is confused, but Mrs. Pennywort is thrilled–and she takes Pauline on an adventure!
Soon Pauline is laying eggs of all colors and patterns, to the delight of everyone who sees them. It seems like the perfect way to celebrate Easter, even when the eggs start hatching into brightly colored chicks.
This funny text and vibrant illustrations will make this an Easter favorite book and a year-round reminder of the importance of being true to yourself.
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: How to Make an Easter Egg
- Easter Story Parts Worksheet
- The Easter Egg Art Project
- Easter Bunny & Eggs Number Match Game
4. Happy Easter, Mouse by Laura Numeroff
Join Mouse as he goes on an Easter egg hunt! Who is hiding eggs in Mouse’s house? This adorable board book combines an engaging Easter theme with a story about colors!
This board book with sturdy pages is perfect for children who will enjoy the simple introduction to colors and counting. Each page has one or two sentences and points out a different color and number of eggs.
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: “All About Easter”
- “Easter Senses” Student Booklet
- “Easter” Student Story
- Easter Roll & Cover Math Game
5. The Story of the Easter Bunny by Katherine Tegen
Everyone knows who the Easter Bunny is. Each year, he comes with a basket of painted eggs and chocolates for children. But not everybody knows where he comes from. On a snow-cold day in a snug little house, so begins the true story of the Easter Bunny!
With gorgeous and peaceful art, this fresh, innovative story describes how one little rabbit became a legend. The perfect addition to Easter baskets!
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: If I Were The Easter Bunny
- Story Retelling Worksheet
- Easter Bunny Description Student Page
- Easter Add & Subtract Match Game
6. The Egg Tree by Katherine Milhous
One Easter morning, Katy and Carl went on an Easter egg hunt at Grandmom’s house. Katy couldn’t find anything until she went up to the attic. And there she discovered a very special set of eggs.
Grandmom had painted them when she was a little girl. And now, she hung them from the branches of a tiny tree -an egg tree! So began a very special Easter tradition.
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: How to Make an Easter Egg
- Story Sequence Worksheet: Sequence events of the story
- Easter Sight Word Game
- Easter Numbers & Ten Frames
7. Pete the Cat Big Easter Adventure by James Dean
Pete jumps in to help the Easter Bunny with a hippity-hoppity Easter adventure with the coolest cat around: Pete! The book comes complete with 12 Easter cards, a fold-out poster, and stickers.
When Pete wakes up on Easter morning, ready to check out his basket of goodies, he discovers the Easter Bunny needs a little extra help. Our favorite groovy blue cat puts on his bunny ears and finds a way to collect, paint, and hide the eggs all in time for Easter.
Literacy Extensions:
- “Our Easter Story” Classroom Book
- Easter Student Story
- Easter Letter & Sound Match
- Easter Build 2 Addend Addition Number Sentences
8. The Easter Bunny That Overslept by Priscilla & Otto Friedrich
One spring morning, the Easter Bunny skips merrily along to deliver his colorful, hand-painted eggs. But the children tell him that it’s Mother’s Day, which can only mean one thing: HE SLEPT THROUGH EASTER!
Nobody wants eggs on Mother’s Day, or on the Fourth of July and especially not on Halloween. Children will sympathize with the little bunny’s plight and cheer when bunny finally finds a helper.
Literacy Extensions:
- Easter Writing Station Words
- Easter Build a Word
- Easter Art Project
- Easter Roll & Bump Math Game
Finally, there are so many Easter children’s books you can choose from. From Easter fiction to nonfiction, the list of books 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.”
