Are you looking for some Cupcakes children’s books to use in your classroom that include literacy extension ideas? This list may be just what you are looking for!
Cupcakes of any kind are a wonderful theme and are filled with some exciting literacy experiences to explore. You may have had the opportunity to read some of these Ladybug books already, but hopefully some will be a new adventure for you and your kids. Whether you like or dislike Cupcakes, try these engaging books and some of the extension activities suggested.
1. If You Give a Cat a Cupcake by Laura Numeroff
If you give a cat a cupcake, he’ll ask for some sprinkles to go with it. When you give him the sprinkles, he might spill some on the floor. Cleaning up will make him hot, so you’ll give him a bathing suit.
Written in the tradition of the bestselling If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond’s If You Give a Cat a Cupcake will show everyone that Cat is where it’s at!
The If You Give series is a perennial favorite among children. With their spare, rhythmic text and circular tale, these books are perfect for beginning readers and story time.
Literacy Extensions:
- Cupcakes Literature List
- Student Booklet: “Cupcake Counting”
- Cupcakes Counting
- My Cupcakes Story: Student Worksheets
2. Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcake by James Dean
In this rhyming picture book, the gang work together to find the missing cupcakes and learn about making mistakes, forgiveness, and that it’s cool to be kind.
Literacy Extensions:
- “My Favorite Cupcakes” Classroom Book
- “Cupcake Senses” Student Booklet
- Venn Diagram Comparing Cupcakes vs Cookies
- Cupcakes Build a Two Addend Number Sentence
3. Monsters Love Cupcakes by Mike Austin
Join the monsters everyone loves as they dance and sing their way through a recipe for delicious cupcakes! With bouncy rhyming text, child-friendly art for young readers, and an adorable cast of zany critters, this book is a yummy introduction to the joy and silliness of baking with and for friends.
Two cups of LOVE, a spoonful of WOW, and some yummy BUGS! Those are just a few of the ingredients in these colorful monsters’ favorite cupcake recipe. Mixing, baking, and decorating has never been so much fun!
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: To Make Cupcakes
- Cupcakes Story Parts Worksheet
- Pom Pom Cupcake Topper Art Project
- Cupcakes Number & Ten Frame Match Game
4. Cupcake by Charice Mericle Harper
Poor Vanilla Cupcake. He is feeling a bit drab next to his fancy brothers and sisters. But when his new pal, Candle, comes along with some fresh ideas, the two hatch a plan to become the snazziest duo ever found on a plate!
With an undeniably adorable hero and eye-catching design, Cupcake is sure to appeal to the sweet tooth in young readers everywhere.
Literacy Extensions:
- Cupcakes Literature List
- Cupcakes Story Parts: Student Worksheet
- Cupcakes Roll It! Read It! Short Vowels
- Paper Plate Cupcake Art Project
5. Peanut Butter and Cupcake by Terry Border
What is a little piece of bread to do when he’s feeling lonely? Find a friend, of course!
And that’s exactly what Peanut Butter tries to do. But sometimes friends are hard to come by, especially when Hamburger must walk his (hot) dogs, Cupcake is too busy building castles in her sprinkle box, and Egg laughs so hard he starts to crack up!
Does Peanut Butter have a soulmate? Young readers will know the answer long before Peanut Butter does and laugh along with each mismatched pairing. In a story that pairs silliness with a rhyming refrain, this is sure to be a favorite family read-aloud–and laugh-aloud.
Literacy Extensions:
- “My Favorite Cupcake” Classroom Book
- Cupcakes Story Sequencing Student Worksheet
- Cupcake Art Project
- Cupcakes Add & Subtract Match Game
6. My Perfect Cupcake by Rebecca Green
Dylan loves fresh baked cupcakes more than any other food in the world. But one day he tries a new cupcake flavor from his neighborhood bakery and has a sudden allergic reaction.
When told that he cannot safely eat bakery cupcakes anymore, Dylan faces a new challenge. With unstoppable determination, he bakes amazing, allergy-safe cupcakes in his own kitchen with a lot of messy fun along the way!
Literacy Extensions:
- Cupcakes Word Bank
- Cupcakes Literature Retelling Organizer Student Page
- Cupcakes Make a Short Vowel Word Game
- Cupcakes Roll & Cover Math Games
7. It’s Raining Cupcakes by Lisa Schroeder
Twelve-year-old Isabel is dying to get out of her small town of Willow, Oregon, and travel like her best friend, Sophie. But when Isabel’s mother decides to open a cupcake shop across town, Isabel is once again stuck in Willow for the summer.
However, Isabel learns of a baking contest where the finalists get an all-expenses paid trip to New York City to compete in the final bake-off. But Sophie is also entering the contest, and Isabel’s mother has reservations. Can Isabel finally realize her dreams of leaving Willow without hurting two of the most important people in her life?
Literacy Extensions:
- “Cupcake Senses” Student Booklet
- Cupcakes Make a Short Vowel Word
- Cupcakes Sight Word Games
- Cupcakes Build 2 Addend Addition Number Sentences
8. Little Mouse and Big Cupcake by Thomas Taylor
The scrumptious story about a tiny mouse and his very large, very tempting cupcake. When one small mouse finds one BIG cupcake (a chocolate chip, raspberry cream cupcake!), he wonders how to get it home.
It’s much too heavy for him to carry. So, one by one, Little Mouse asks his animal friends to help. They all say yes, but only after taking a nibble of the yummy treat. Will there be any cake left for the hungry Mouse?
Literacy Extensions:
- “Our Favorite Cupcake” Classroom Book
- Cupcakes Letter & Sound Match Game
- Cupcakes Build a Word
- Cupcakes Numbers & Ten Frames Math Game
Finally, there are so many Cupcakes children’s books you can choose from. From fiction to nonfiction, the list of Cupcakes 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.”
