A Year Full of Stories: 52 Classic Stories from All Around the World



Last updated Tuesday, May 7, 2024

Author: Angela McAllister
Illustrator: Christopher Corr
Date of Publication:
ISBN: 978-1847808684
Grade Level: 3rd    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: May 2024

Synopsis: Turn the pages and get lost in a year full of stories as you journey around the world reading tale after tale to keep story time alive from one end of the year to the other. This rich resource collects together folk tales from home and legends and myths from distant lands to commemorate the changing seasons, cultural events and international festivals throughout the year.

The book is divided into 12 chapters, one for each month of the year, and throughout, stories are matched to internationally celebrated dates, including St. Patrick's Day and the International Day of Friendship, as well as seasonal events and festivals. Introduce the children to rich cultural traditions from all over the globe.

Note to readers:
•  This is a collection of short stories from different countries. Many stories in this book are ones that may be relatable to the readers. Here are some short story recommendations that may interest 3rd graders:

(King of the Forest, The Frog Prince, The Mole's Wedding,The Pot of Gold, The Glass Knight, Androcles and the Lion, Persephone, Raja and the Rice, The Shortest Ghost Story in the World.
•  The readers may find other stories in this book that they may want to read with the kids.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Ask the third graders if they are familiar with Aesop's Fables, such as "The Tortoise and the Hare."
•  If you were a book illustrator for one day would you want your illustrations to look realistic or cartoons?
•  Would you like me to read you a story that has no ending?

Vocabulary
•  Cliffhanger-When an author writes a story, but provides no ending.
•  Chess-A game that has 64 squares with pieces that move in different directions. The goal is to capture the other person's king.
•  Leprechaun-In Irish folklore, this was a small man about the size of a thumb that wears all green. The person reading this once caught a leprechaun, the leprachaun took the reader to his house and promised the reader a pot of gold.

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  You can live in the ocean or on an land, what animal do you pick?
•  You have to defeat a dragon. Would you use an invisibility cloak or would you risk everything, take nothing and rely on intelligence

Craft ideas:
•  Make stick figures from Popsicle sticks. (Note: Get the Popsicle sticks from the craft boxes before you meet the kids.)
•  Make up your own story and make illustrations for it
•  Make a hat that gives you the power to hear everything.
•  Sunday, May12th is Mother’s Day. Make a greeting card for you mother, grandmother. Or if you have an older sibling, cousin or aunt who has had a baby recently, make one for them.

Special activities:
•  Talk to your neighbor, but don't look at that person!

*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!