Laura Numeroff is a celebrated author of delightful books for preschoolers. While there are many books in the Laura Numeroff series, author studies in preschool do not have to include each title. Choosing even a few book titles from an author to explore will engage your preschoolers in early literacy and playful learning. We invite you to join our own preschoolers in a Laura Numeroff author study with playful learning activities from educators and kid bloggers around the globe.
Laura Numeroff Author Study and {Playful Learning} Activities for Preschool
Brief Background Biography Information for Parents and Teachers: Laura Numeroff was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1953. Laura was the youngest of 3 girls and she loved to read, draw, and write even at an early age. Laura graduated college with her first book contract and has been creating delightful books for kids since then. Laura’s website can be found here.
To begin your Laura Numeroff Author Study with Preschoolers:
- Show the children one of the books you’ve chosen to read. Say the name of the author several times and ask your preschoolers to say the author’s name back to you. Practice often so they become familiar with the author’s name over time.
- Look at the book’s cover (front and back). Ask the children what pictures they see on the cover that might help them predict what the story is about. Chart the predictions on a white board or piece of chart paper.
- Read the book to the children and ask the following questions when finished: Who are the characters in the book? What items are in the book? Where does the story take place? What happens at the beginning of the story? How did the story end? What made the biggest mess in the book?
- While the children may not know the answers after the very first reading, they will catch on as you re-read and look for characters, items, and the setting within the book. Repetition is key to all learning with preschoolers; the more opportunities they have to listen and look at the author’s books, the more learning sticks.
- Repeat the process above with the second or third book choices for your author study. Your preschoolers may already be recognizing similarities and differences between the books in the Laura Numeroff series. Ask questions that guide preschoolers to carefully think about the similarities and differences in the books you’ve chosen. Note: other titles can be offered throughout the year as seasonal offerings or to accompany reading centers or independent “reading” time. Remember, exposure is key. When we plant seeds of literacy in preschool and make it FUN, kids will begin to apply knowledge to future readings at home or in the classroom.
Some of our own favorite Laura Numeroff books:
If You Give a Dog a Donut
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (If You Give…)
If You Give a Pig a Pancake
If You Give a Moose a Muffin
If You Give a Pig a Party
Happy Birthday, Mouse! (If You Give…)
If You Take a Mouse to the Movies
It’s Pumpkin Day, Mouse! (If You Give…)
Time for School, Mouse! (If You Give…)
Preschool Center Activities for Playful Learning with a Laura Numeroff Author Study
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
Tactile Cookie Counting Activity from Still Playing School
Cookie Jar Letter Sounds Matching Free Printable Activity from Totschooling
Cookie Number Matching Free Printable Activity from Totschooling
Cookie Delivery Rube Goldberg Machine Construction from Inspiration Laboratories
Cook It! Read It! from Teach Preschool
Visual (Printable) Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe from Inspiration Laboratories
Fine Motor Cookie Creations from Books and Giggles
Free Printable Cookie Jar Play Dough Math Mats from PreKinders
Baking with Preschoolers from My Storytime Corner
If You Give a Pig a Pancake and If You Give a Pig a Party by Laura Numeroff
Class Pancake Book Making Activity from Fun-a-Day
Building Literacy Activities – Be a PIG for a Day from Growing Book by Book
Paper Plate Pig Craft from Teach Preschool
Create a SHAPE Pig with a free template from Mosswood Connections
Coffee Ground Sensory Bin from Still Playing School
Pigs in the Mud Sensory Play from Modern Preschool
If You Give a Moose a Muffin by Laura Numeroff
Button and Muffin Tin Counting Game from Mess for Less at Kids Activities Blog
Muffin Tin Magnet Science Explorations from Pre-K Pages
Kitchen Literacy with Muffins from Growing Book by Book
Muffin Tin Fine Motor, Color Explorations, and Transferring Activity from Craftulate
Muffin Tin Geo Board from And Next Comes L
Muffin Tin Nature Hunt from Mama Papa Bubba
If You Take a Mouse to the Movies by Laura Numeroff
Christmas Tree Sensory Gel Bags – no mess sensory play for preschoolers
Popcorn Sensory Bin from Life Over C’s
Popcorn Word Game and Word Walls
FREE Popcorn Counting Cards (One-to-One Correspondence) from Life Over C’s
Glitter Popcorn Decorations or Ornament Crafts from Sunny Day Family
Christmas Tree Life Cycle with Free Printable
Christmas Tree Play Dough STE(A)M Challenge
Happy Birthday, Mouse by Laura Numeroff
FREE Printable Party Hat Sight Words Game by Inspiration Laboratories
FREE Mouse Template and Color Matching Cards
Ice Cream-Themed Fine Motor, Transferring, Sensory, and Beginning Letters
Ice Cream Sensory Bin from Fantastic Fun and Learning
Ice Cream-Themed Color Matching Cones and Party Booklets
Ice Cream-Themed Science and FREE Recording Sheet
If You Give a Dog a Donut by Laura Numeroff
FREE Puppy Roll and Cover Math Activity for Preschoolers from Simple Fun for Kids
Create and Decorate Your Own Donut – an invitation to play and create from Kids Activities Blog
Fun (and low prep) Paper Plate Donut Craft for Preschoolers from Happy Hooligans
Real Doggie Donut Treats Kids Can Make for Pets from Sunny Day Family
It’s Pumpkin Day, Mouse by Laura Numeroff
Decomposing Numbers with Pumpkin Seeds – FREE Printables
5 Little Pumpkins – an original counting poem with created puppets from Wikki Stix
Pumpkin Boats – Sink or Float? Science Activities for Preschoolers
Pumpkin Tile Letters Activity and Free Printable
Pumpkin Sight Words Free Printable
Pumpkin Life Cycle Printable Booklet
Roll and Create a Simple Pumpkin from Wikki Stix
We hope your preschoolers enjoy learning about the author Laura Numeroff and exploring activities to encourage important skills as they listen and grow!
Supplies that are helpful for your author study activities are below:
Your kids might also enjoy an Author Study with many of Eric Carle’s Books!
[…] It’s Pumpkin Day, Mouse! Note: for an entire Author Study with Laura Numeroff, see here. […]