The Secret Birthday Message by Eric Carle: Picture Book Study
In the interactive story The Secret Birthday Message by Eric Carle we meet a young boy who is on the hunt for a birthday surprise! I invite you to read The Secret Birthday Message by Eric Carle and then give one (or more) of the matching book activities below a try. They are a great way to continue the fun and learning long after the story is done!
The Secret Birthday Message by Eric Carle: Picture Book Study
About The Secret Birthday Message
A message in code starts a young boy off on an exciting treasure hunt that takes him through a dark cave, an underground tunnel, and more – until, at the end, he finds a happy birthday surprise.
Get a Copy: The Secret Birthday Message by Eric Carle (this is an Amazon link)
Book Activity #1: Scavenger Hunt
In this story, we read about a boy enjoy a scavenger hunt with a series of cool clues in order to find his birthday surprise. Set up your own scavenger hunt using the book as an inspiration.
Supplies needed:
- Note cards
- Markers or pens
Directions:
1. Create a scavenger hunt using places and items within your own home or classroom. Identify an item in each room to use as a basis for a clue. You will want to create 8-10 clues all together. Each clues should describe an item in each room – for example, a fridge, a desk, a decorative piece, lamp, etc. A sample clue could be, “I am what keeps your juice cold.” The answer would be the fridge, so you would set the next clue card on the fridge to be found.
2. Write one clue on each note cards.
3. Once the clues are written, place each in the appropriate room and on the appropriate item. Hide a small prize at the end of the hunt so your child will know the hunt is completed.
4. After you have placed all of the note cards, give your child/ren the first clue to kick off the scavenger hunt.
5. Let children read the clues and start searching. Assist younger children by reading the clues to them.
6. After the final clue is collected, celebrate!
Book Activity #2: Eric Carle Inspired Paperscape
Eric Carle is beloved for his beautiful collages – he is a master at combining paper, paint and patterns to make the most wonderfully detailed illustrations! Make your own Eric Carle inspired paperscape, just like one of the illustrations you see in The Secret Birthday Message.
Supplies needed:
- Assorted colored construction paper
- Scissors
- Craft glue
Directions:
1. Begin by looking through the book paying extra attention to the illustrations. Notice the colors, the shapes used in construction of each image, and how Eric Carle uses the illustrations to help tell the story.
2. Take your construction paper and discuss how you will use the construction paper to make the house, the sky and the stars.
3. Using the pages for inspiration, take your scissors and begin cutting out each of the elements by hand – the house, the sky, and the stars. These can be very basic and raw, they definitely don’t need to be perfect.
4. Once you have the paper stars, sky, and house (don’t forget the glowing window and roof!) assemble them to create your own version of the illustration in the book.
5. Use craft glue to secure your pieces in place.
Once your paperscape is complete, it is ready for display and discussion!
Activity #3: Extending the Text
One way of showing understanding of a story is thinking about what may have happened next if the story continued. This activity can help children use their prediction skills to create a continuing conversation based the text.
Supplies needed:
- Pencils or markers
- Paper
Directions:
1. After you read the text, take a few minutes to talk about the ending, where the young boy receives a puppy for his birthday.
2. Prompt children to think more about the story with questioning. You could ask;
- What do you think the name of the puppy is?
- Is it a boy or girl?
- Where does the puppy sleep?
- What sorts of adventures do the boy and the puppy have together?
There are no right or wrong answers as the story ends when the puppy is found.
3. Depending upon the age of your child, ask them to draw or write their own extended ending to the story, starting with the information they have already gleaned from reading the book. They know it is the boy’s birthday, they knew he was given a dog, now what? What happens next? For pre-writers, add to their completed drawing by scribe their oral response.
For more fun book activities, check out these related ideas;
More fun read alouds for kids of all ages;
