We are celebrating Ice Cream Day with the wonderful story “Should I Share My Ice Cream?” by Mo Willems. Read the book and enjoy some fun activities with your preschoolers. Includes an art project, pretend play, learning activities and free printables. Your kids will love this sweet holiday.
Did you know that June 6th is Ice Cream Day? How did I not know this before? As far as I’m concerned, every day can be ice cream day! However, in honor of the “official” ice cream day I have a wonderful story to share.
SHOULD I SHARE MY ICE CREAM? BY MO WILLEMS
Anyone that has read an Elephant and Piggie story, knows that this book is bound to be a hit with preschoolers. Kids LOVE these books. I am a huge fan myself.
Gerald (Elephant) is in raptures over his “awesome, yummy, sweet, super, great, tasty, nice, cool ice cream awesome, yummy, sweet, super, great, tasty, nice, cool ice cream.” But he has a dilemma. Should he share his sweet treat with Piggie? He knows that Piggie would really enjoy the treat but, doesn’t want to share it. Gerald wrestles with the decision until his ice cream melts, but everything works out in the end.
This book is a delight to read, because it is so funny. I love the hilarious reasons Gerald expresses for not sharing his sweet treat. For example, “Maybe Piggie does not like this flavor. Sharing a flavor Piggie does not like would be wrong.” So funny!
The best part of the story are Gerald’s expressions
For example,
- His love struck expression as he contemplates the yummy ice cream.
- The beads of sweat that come with the realization that it will be hard to share.
- A delightfully wicked grin when Gerald realizes that, “Piggie is not here. She does not know I have ice cream.”
The book is written as a comic book with speech bubbles and that just adds to the charm. I particularly love the ice cream shaped speech bubble describing the ice cream.
All the Elephant and Piggie books are great books for wriggly preschoolers. The sentences are short. The stories and illustrations are funny. Moreover, they also happen to be about things that interest preschoolers. Things like eating ice cream. Children will identify with Gerald’s struggle to share and the ending is delightful.
I appreciate the underlying theme of friendship and sharing in this story. The observation that things don’t always go to plan, is a nice touch at the end of the story.
In short, this is a fun story to share with your kids.
AS YOU READ THE STORY
Invite the children to predict what Gerald will do based on his page by page deliberation.
Point to some of Gerald’s expressions and ask the children to guess how he is feeling.
When you get to the part when the ice cream melts, give a long anguished, “Noooooooooo” with Gerald. It will cause all kinds of giggles and become your kid’s favorite part.
Ask questions as you go through the story
- Why did Gerald want to share his ice cream?
- Why is it hard to share ice cream?
- Why is Gerald so sad when his ice cream melts?
- How is he a good friend?
- How is Piggie a good friend?
AFTER THE STORY
ENJOY A FINGER PLAY
Ice cream, ice cream in a bowl (make a circle with your hands)
Ice cream, ice cream nice and cold (shivering motions)
Ice cream, ice cream what a treat (clap your hands as you say the last three words)
Ice cream, ice cream tastes so sweet (rub your tummy)
SING A SILLY SONG
Who Likes Ice Cream? (tune: Do Your Ears Hang Low?)
Do you like ice cream? (Hold hands out, palms up)
Do you like it in a bowl? (Use hands to make bowl shape)
Do you like to eat it fast? (Pretend to hold a spoon and eat fast)
Do you like to eat it slow? (Pretend to hold a spoon and eat slow)
Do you like it with some syrup (Pretend to squeeze a bottle)
With some sprinkles, or some nuts? (Pretend to shake a jar)
Do you like ice cream? (Hold hands out, palms up)
Source: Kid’n’Kaboodle Daycare
HAVE A SNACK
Naturally you will want to enjoy an ice cream. Why not try making ice cream in a bag? It is really easy and kids love it!
ENJOY SOME ICE CREAM LEARNING ACTIVITIES
- Ice Cream Matching Fun
- Have Fun With Ice Cream Cart Pretend Play
- Ice Cream Sundae Number Matching
- Strawberry Ice Cream Playdough | Danya Bayna
- Ice Cream Stick Fun
- Time Elapsed Cards
YOUR TURN
Do you celebrate Ice Cream Day in your family? What do you do? Leave a comment below.
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