Are you looking for some ice cream children’s books to use in your classroom that include literacy extension ideas? This list may be just what you are looking for!
Ice Cream is such a wonderful theme and is filled with some exciting literacy experiences to explore. You may have had the opportunity to read some of these ice cream books already, but hopefully some will be a new adventure for you and your kids. Whether you like or dislike ice cream, try these engaging books and some of the extension activities suggested.
1. Should I Share My Ice Cream? By Mo Willems
Elephant struggles with the challenge of sharing. He first exhibits a child’s joy when he stumbled upon an ice cream cart and buys a lovely green ice cream cone. But then it occurs to him that his best friend, Piggie, might want to share the cone.
Using vocabulary that is perfect for beginning readers the author has crafted a funny story about the challenges of doing the right thing. Fans will eagerly eat it up!
Literacy Extensions:
- Ice Cream Word Bank
- “Ice Cream” Student Counting Booklet
- Tissue Paper Ice Cream Art Project
- Ice Cream Build a Word Game
2. Curious About Ice Cream by Bonnie Bader
Americans eat more ice cream than people in any other country. On average 48 pints per person a year! Where did this cool treat come from? And how did its popularity spread?
If you’re curious about all things ice cream, this fun, visual paperback may help. It was developed with the food curators at the Smithsonian and is now on the menu!
Literacy Extensions:
- “Making Ice Cream” Classroom Book
- “Ice Cream Senses” Student Booklet
- Venn Diagram Comparing Ice Cream vs Popsicles
- Ice Cream Build a Two Addend Number Sentence
3. Splat The Cat: I Scream for Ice Cream By Rob Scotton
Splat and his class go on a field trip to an ice cream factory in this delectable I Can Read book. Splat can barely sit still during the bus ride. He’s imagining the mountain of ice cream he thinks he’ll get to eat!
But when Splat gets there, that mountain becomes more of an avalanche. It’s up to Splat and his classmates to save the day! A Level One I Can Read book that is perfect for children learning to sound out words and sentences.
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: “Our Favorite Ice Cream”
- Student Booklet: “Ice Cream Counting”
- Ice Cream Ten Frame Roll & Count
- My Ice Cream Story: Student Worksheets
4. Curious George and the Ice Cream Surprise by Margret Rey
George is looking for a way to beat the summer heat. Could it by swimming, running through sprinklers, or a glass of lemonade.
None of these can help George cool off! What George really wants is a sweet, cold treat from the ice cream truck, but will he ever catch it?
Literacy Extensions:
- Ice Cream Literature List
- Ice Cream Story Parts: Student Worksheet
- Ice Cream Roll It! Read It! Short Vowels
- Sparkled Ice Cream Cones Art Project
5. Make Your Own Ice Cream Sundae by Fran Newman-D’Ami
Create an ice cream sundae that will never melt! It’s easy. Just fill one large dish that is shown on the inside covers of this book.
Fill the bowl with luscious scoops of ice cream, fudge topping, whipped cream, sprinkles, cherries, banana slices, chocolate chips, and other mouthwatering treats. Best of all, the stickers are reusable, so make as many treats as you want.
Literacy Extensions:
- “Ice Cream Senses” Student Booklet
- Ice Cream Story Sequencing Student Worksheet
- Ice Cream Art Project
- Ice Cream Number & Ten Frames
6. Is This Your Favorite Ice Cream? By Ryan Rucker
Let’s take an Ice Cream adventure together! Rae and her dad love traveling from shop to shop, taste testing new ice cream flavors one scoop at a time. All the flavors are unique, but with so many options, how do you find your favorite?
In this book a Northern California based dad and daughter duo hit the rocky road on a mission to find their favorite ice cream, making stops in so many cities and states! What they find out is that everything tastes a little better when you’re sharing it with your favorite people.
Literacy Extensions:
- Ice Cream Word Bank
- Ice Cream Literature Retelling Organizer Student Page
- Ice Cream Make a Short Vowel Word Game
- Ice Cream Roll & Cover Math Games
7. Ice Cream: The Full Scoop by Gail Gibbons
Cool and smooth and sweet, ice cream has long been a favorite treat. It cools you off when it’s hot and is too delicious to resist even in cold weather. How did it get to be so scrumptious?
This author dishes out the latest scoop on ice cream production. Ice cream has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a mixture of snow, milk, and rice. She details the many firsts in ice cream history, from the earliest ice cream crank to the original waffle cone. Children’s mouths will be watering as they follow ice cream’s journey from farm to factory to freezer.
Literacy Extensions:
- “Different Kinds of Ice Cream” Classroom Book
- Ice Cream Make a Short Vowel Word
- Ice Cream Sight Word Games
- Ice Cream Build 2 Addend Addition Number Sentences
8. Ice Cream Sundays by Sunny Mai
This book is a fun and simple rhyming story for children about ice cream!
Sunday is Dee the Unicorn’s favorite day of the week because she and her family go for a tasty ice cream treat! The ice cream shop has lots of flavors to try, but Dee knows exactly which ice cream she wants to buy.
Great book to encourage discussion about different ice cream preferences and possible combinations of flavors. Have fun and talk about silly combinations like chocolate and pickles! Perfect gift book for new and beginner readers. Large print text makes it easy for children to read along.
Literacy Extensions:
- “How to Make Ice Cream” Classroom Book
- Ice Cream Letter & Sound Match Game
- Ice Cream Build a Word
- Ice Cream Numbers & Ten Frames Math Game
Finally, there are so many ice cream children’s books you can choose from. From fiction to nonfiction, the list of ice cream 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.”
