Are you looking for some New Year’s children’s books to use in your classroom that include literacy extension activities? This list may be just what you are looking for!
New Year’s children’s books are filled with some exciting literacy experiences to explore. You may have had the opportunity to read some of these New Year’s books already, but hopefully some will be a new adventure for you and your kids. Whether you love the New Year’s theme or not, try these engaging books and some of the extension activities suggested.
1. The Night Before New Year’s by Natasha Wing
First, we start out with one of the newest books from the author’s bestselling Night Before series. It is the night before New Year’s and the whole family wants to stay up until midnight!
Everyone stocked up on sparkly streamers and festive party hats. But after a night filled with card games, cupcakes, and a night of family fun, some are getting sleepy. Will they make it until the clock strikes twelve?
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: My New Year’s Eve
- New Year’s Eve Senses Student Booklet
- New Year’s Eve Paper Plate Clock
- New Year’s Eve Party
2. Happy New Year Around the World by Sylvia Walker
Discover the New Year holiday customs of nations around the world. The book is filled with festive full-page illustrations. The lively pictures include new year observances in Israel, Germany, India, Greece, Mexico, Italy, Haiti, Nigeria, and other countries.
The New Year Celebrations range from spectacular parades in China and candles in the sand on Brazilian beaches. Along with fireworks over Sydney Harbor and the countdown in New York’s Times Square. Find out how other countries celebrate the new year!
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: What do you do the Night Before Christmas?
- New Year’s Eve Traditions Student Booklet
- New Year Sight Word Game
- New Year Resolution Art Project
3. Bringing in the New Year by Grace Lin
This wonderful story follows a Chinese American family as they prepare for the Lunar New Year. Each member of the family lends a hand as they sweep out the dust of the old year, hang decorations, and make dumplings.
Then it’s time to put on new clothes and celebrate with family and friends. There will be fireworks and lion dancers, shining lanterns, and a great, long dragon parade to help bring in the Lunar New Year.
Literacy Extensions:
- “Our New Year’s Resolutions” Classroom Book
- “My New Year’s See Book” Student Counting Booklet
- New Year’s Art Project
- New Year’s Addition & Subtraction Game
4. Happy New Year, Everywhere by Arlen Erlbach
Kids can join in new year celebrations from around the world! This book is patterned after the author’s successful Happy Birthday, Everywhere!
This book is a cross-cultural look at new year celebrations from twenty countries. It tells you the customs of each country, along with a how to section. Instructions for a craft or game or recipe from each country are included in the book to inspire young readers.
Literacy Extensions:
- New Year’s Literature List
- New Year’s Story Parts: Student Worksheet
- New Year’s Roll It! Read It! Short Vowels
- New Year’s Resolutions Art Project
5. New Year’s Day by David F. Marx
This informative book introduces early elementary-school children to the basic facts about the major holiday of, New Year. The book explains the how the holiday began and how it is celebrated today.
The author discusses what New Year’s Day looks like around the world. It also talks about what takes place in the countries of the world, which includes holiday games, traditions, crafts, and foods.
Literacy Extensions:
- New Year’s Word Bank
- New Year’s Story Sequencing Student Worksheet
- New Year’s Build a Word
- New Year’s Number & Ten Frames
6. Just in Time for New Year’s by Karen Gray Ruelle
Yippee! It’s almost New Year’s Eve. On the big night Harry and Emily get permission to stay up until midnight. But how will they stay awake?
They begin to think of all kinds of ways to stay awake to see the New Year! Find out just how they do it with this easy-reader book.
Literacy Extensions:
- “New Year’s Celebrations” Classroom Book
- New Year’s Literature Retelling Organizer Student Page
- New Year’s Make a Short Vowel Word Game
- New Year’s Roll & Cover Math Games
7. Happy New Year by Dee Smith
It is New Year’s Day! This book is a simple tale that captures the wonderful things children can look forward to in the New Year. A girl tells readers why the New Year is so special to her. “Here is what a New Year means to me.” “New opportunities.” “New friends.” “New memories.”
This book is perfect for a festive holiday read aloud. The book also features a mix of graphic design and photography taken in upstate New York giving it an interesting and unique visual effect.
Literacy Extensions:
- “How Many Party Hats” Student Counting Booklet
- New Year’s Make a Word
- New Year’s Sight Word Game
- New Year’s Build 2 Addend Addition Number Sentences
8. Happy New Year, Spot by Eric Hill
Spot the dog isn’t old enough to stay up until midnight, but he finds a way to celebrate the New Year early with his family. Bring your party hats and noisemakers as you join Spot in celebrating the new year!
A simple board book about Spot and his friends celebrating New Year’s! The book has a wonderful color palette with great illustrations. Will Spot’s New Year’s wish come true?
Literacy Extensions:
- New Year’s Word Bank
- New Year’s Patterns
- New Year’s Letter & Sound Match Game
- New Year’s Art Project
Finally, there are so many New Year’s children’s books you can choose from. From New Year’s 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.”
