Literature Based Kindergarten, Heckedy Peg

Primary Literture

Heckedy Peg by Audrey and Don Wood. This was our last October book, I wanted something a bit scary to go with Halloween. An evil witch, Heckedy Peg, tricks seven sweet children (all named after the days of week) in to letting her enter their house while their mother is away. Once inside she turns them all into food. Luckily, their mother is able to rescuing them with a few tricks of her own and some cleverness. The book's painted illustrations are stunning. They contain just the right amount of darkness which adds to the suspense-fulness of the book.

Complementary Literature

The kids memorized 'A Week of Birthdays' from The Real Mother Goose. We chose to use Sunday instead of 'the Sabbath day'.

Monday's child is fair of face,

Tuesday's child is full of grace;

Wednesday's child is full of woe,

Thursday's child has far to go;

Friday's child is loving and giving,

Saturday's child works hard for its living;

But the child that is born on Sunday

Is bonny and blithe, and good and gay.

Hansel and Gretel by Rika Lesser and Paul O. Zelinsky. This is a traditional retelling and is accompanied by exquisite paintings, it is a Caldecott Honor book.
King Bidgood's in the Bathtub by Audrey and Don Wood. The Woods' have created several fantastic children's books. I, however, chose to use this one as a companion because the illustrations techniques are similar to the ones used in Heckedy Peg. This is a comical tale about a king who refuses to get out of the bathtub. It's sure to have your kids giggling. This book is also a Caldecott Honor book and the illustrations, especially the costumes, are breathtaking.

Learning Activities/Games:

Puzzle matching game, children can match the correct child to the food he was turned into and the present he requested. I've made the printable available (for free) here.

Days of the week color wheel. This printable is from Mr. Printables.

Please check our homeschooling page for more children's literature and unit ideas.

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A Little Red Cardboard Barn

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Jack-O-Lanterns on the Fridge

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