Merry Christmas, Ollie (Gossie & Friends)



Last updated Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Author: Olivier Dunrea
Date of Publication: 2008
ISBN: 0618532420
Grade Level: Kindergarten    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Dec. 2014

Synopsis: It's Christmas Eve. Gossie and Gertie hang their bright colored boots in the barn. Peedie and BooBoo hang their striped stockings in the barn. Ollie stomps through the snow. It's not easy to wait for Father Christmas Goose!

Note to readers:
•  gosling: a baby goose. A group of geese (not in flight) is called a "gaggle" and a group of in-flight geese is called a "skein."

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  1. How do you celebrate the holidays?
•  2. What makes you most excited when you think about Christmas (Hanukkah, Kwanzaa)?
•  3. Does your family have any special traditions for the winter and the December holidays?
•  4. How do you know when it's almost Christmas?
•  5. Have you ever been in/to the snow? Did you like it? Was it cold?

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  1. Why do you think Ollie is so excited about Christmas?
•  2. Why does the arrival of Ollie's dad mean that it's finally Christmas?
•  3. How do you imagine that Ollie and his family celebrate Christmas?
•  4. How do you think Ollie and his friends stay warm in the snow?

Craft ideas:
•  Make a Duck Beak—start with a square piece of construction paper (to make a square fold one corner to the opposite side and fold. Cut the bottom of the paper off and unfold. You will have a square with a diagonal crease.) Once you have the square, glue the two sides together so you now have a triangle. Fold the triangle in half from left to right and crease well. Make sure the crease forms a peak and the top edge of the triangle is still the folded edge. Fold the edge of the triangle down about a ½ inch and crease well. Punch a hole in both sides of the triangle under the small flap you just made. Cut two pieces of string or yarn and tie them in the holes. Wear the beak mask by placing the folded edge over your nose and tying the two pieces of string together behind your head.
•  Make a holiday stocking to hang in the barn—cut out stocking shapes from construction paper and color them with stripes or holiday motifs. Glue cotton on the top for fur.
•  For pictures, more craft ideas, and directions visit: http://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids99/december-2014-reading-clubs/

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!