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Flyaway Books has created resources and activities that invite children, educators, parents, and booksellers to further engage with their favorite picture books. We have everything from original music to printable activity sheets to thematic guides for educators and parents, with much more to come. Return here often for new downloadable offerings!
Written by Laura Gehl
Illustrated by Patricia Metola
In Apple and Magnolia, Britta visits her two favorite trees, Apple and Magnolia, every day and she notices one day that Magnolia’s branches start to droop. With encouragement from her grandmother, Britta explores the extraordinary connections between trees and the wondrous bonds between all living things. Click the image below to access a free discussion and activity guide about how trees communicate with one another and the relationship between humans and trees.
Arthur and the Forgetful Elephant
Written & Illustrated by Maria Girón
In Arthur and the Forgetful Elephant, Arthur meets an elephant that suffers from memory loss. After a playful day together, the elephant remembers enough to help him reunite with his family. Click the image below to access a free, printable coloring page featuring Arthur and his new friend.
You can also download a free discussion and activity guide about memory loss below. Created in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association, the guide defines dementia and Alzheimer’s, suggests answers for questions children may ask, and offers activities a child and an affected adult may be able to do together.
Babbit and Joan, a Rabbit and a Phone
Written & Illustrated by Denise Turu
After learning that the overworked phones in his community are going on strike, Babbit the rabbit encourages his phone, Joan, to rest at home while he goes on a tech-free adventure. Click the image below to download a printable coloring sheet from Babbit’s low-tech journey.
Written by Sharmila Collins
Illustrated by Carolina Rabei
Binkle’s Time to Fly is about a butterfly born with damaged wings, but with the support of his friends and a little creativity, he discovers there’s more than one way to fly. Access two fun activities inspired by the book below.
Learn how to create a paper butterfly inspired by the main character Binkle with our easy-to-follow origami instructions. Click the image below to download a printable PDF that includes instructions on how to fold an origami butterfly. Decorative paper is included.
Click the image below to download a printable coloring sheet of our favorite butterfly, Binkle!
Written by Paul Stewart
Illustrated by Jane Porter
In this timely book about challenging bias, a sheep named Brian believes all his fellow sheep can play together, despite their differences. Reenact this important story on your own with our printable puppets. Click the image below to download a printable PDF that features all of the lovable characters from the book!
Written & Illustrated by Canizales
This insightful children’s book explores bullying—especially the choices children face in defending others who are bullied. Access a downloadable guide that helps children, parents, and educators navigate the challenges of childhood bullying. The in-depth, printable guide features various questions and activities.
Written by Séverine Vidal
At turns lighthearted and poignant, The Coat offers a glimpse at the hardships confronting those who are experiencing homelessness, inspiring us to treat them with compassion and respect.
Access a downloadable discussion and activity guide that offers a child-friendly introduction to the topic of homelessness. The guide answers some questions children may ask, offers ideas about how children and families can help those who are homeless, and features activities to help explore homelessness further.
Crocodile's Crossing: A Search for Home
Written & Illustrated by Yoeri Slegers
Inside this thoughtful and sensitive tale, Crocodile becomes a refugee when he is forced to flee his homeland. After a long, hard journey he finds a community of mice who welcome him and his family with open arms.
Access a downloadable discussion and activity guide that helps parents and teachers further introduce the complex topic of immigration to children in an accessible and hopeful way.
Flyaway Flier
Come fly with us, Flyaway Family! As you might have guessed from our name, we love all things that fly—including paper airplanes. Click the image below to download a printable PDF with a paper airplane template and instructions on how to build it.
Bonus Activity: Our Flyaway Flier features artwork from several of our picture books. Can you spot all the birds, butterflies, balloons, and everything in between on the paper airplane and find which book they’re from?
For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World
Written by Michael W. Waters
Illustrated by Keisha Morris
For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World tells the story of a boy named Jeremiah and his family who discover hopeful forms of activism and advocacy in response to racism and gun violence in their community.
Click below to access an extended version of the discussion and activity guide that is provided in the book. Written by the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Ky.—a multicultural center and museum committed to promoting respect, hope, and understanding—the guide offers parents and teachers suggestions on how they can talk with children about racism, gun violence, and positive social change.
You can also download a free coloring page featuring artwork from the book. Click the image below to access a printable coloring sheet featuring Jeremiah and his friends.
Written by Laura Gehl
Illustrated by Udayana Lugo
Grandpa’s Window addresses the grieving process, both as a family member approaches the end of life as well as after death. With moving simplicity, this story illustrates not only the difficulty of losing those we love but also the power we have to comfort them during illness and the solace that treasured memories can bring.
This reading guide suggests ways for you to explore these ideas further with children. Click the image below for conversation starters and art activities to help children express their feelings. Also included is a note for adults by child psychologist Sharie Coombes, which offers advice on how to help a child grieve. At the end of the guide, you will find a list of organizations that offer support for grieving children and families.
Written by Melinda Szymanik
Illustrated by Vasanti Unka
My Elephant Is Blue is an exploration of what it’s like to live with feelings of sadness. In this story, a child wakes up to find they are crushed under the weight of sadness, which is personified by an elephant named Blue. Click the image below to access a free, printable coloring page of the child and Blue. You can print and color it as many times as you like!
You can also download a free reading guide that suggests ways for you to explore the story’s themes further with children. Click the image below for conversation starters and art activities to help children express their feelings. At the end of the guide, you will find a list of organizations that offer support for those who are impacted by sadness or depression.
Written & Illustrated by Barbara DiLorenzo
One Thursday Afternoon sheds light on how an unpredictable world can make a child feel, reminding us that big fears can become smaller when we take time together to look, listen, and create. Two guides have been created to use with this book.
The Discussion & Activity Guide provides space for children to draw, color, and observe. This is a helpful tool that prompts creative expression while experiencing anxiety. To go along with one of the drawing activities in this guide, the author has created a video showing the process of drawing a duck.
The Educator Guide includes discussion questions and activities using the Common Core State Standards and CASEL 5 social and emotional learning competencies.
Simon and the Big, Bad, Angry Beasts: A Book about Anger
Written & Illustrated by Ian De Haes
Featuring colorful and expressive illustrations, this insightful book helps children learn how to handle their anger. Access an in-depth guide for parents and teachers that features strategies for talking to children about their emotions, along with various exercises children can use to cope with anger.
The Little Word That Changed the World
Written by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso
Illustrated by Joani Keller Rothenberg
The Story of AND is about how one little word helps a variety of opinionated shapes overcome their differences to create something entirely new.
Singer/songwriter Carrie Newcomer recorded an original song based on the picture book! Click the video player below to hear or download her catchy, upbeat song that celebrates AND's ability to create connections.
You can also access a downloadable activity page inspired by the book by clicking the image below. The activity page helps teach children about shapes and further encourages them to look for unexpected connections.
Written by Kathleen Long Bostrom
Illustrated by Guy Porfirio
Inside The Worst Christmas Ever, Matthew’s Christmas in his new state of California is bound to be the worst ever, especially after his beloved dog Jasper goes missing—until an unexpected event on Christmas Eve reminds him of the real meaning of home.
Click the image below to download a printable coloring sheet of Matthew and Jasper playing together.
The Exciting Life of the Peace Symbol
Written by Michael G. Long
Illustrated by Carlos Vélez
Three Lines in a Circle tells the history of the peace symbol and how it became a powerful icon used in marches and movements around the world. Click the image below to access a printable dot-to-dot activity sheet that was inspired by the book.
Walking toward Peace: The True Story of a Brave
Woman Called Peace Pilgrim
Written by Kathleen Krull
Illustrated by Annie Bowler
Walking toward Peace tells the true story of Peace Pilgrim, a female activist and spiritual leader who sacrificed everything to travel by foot around America promoting peace. Click the image below to access a free, downloadable maze featuring Peace Pilgrim.
Written by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso
Illustrated by Darcy Day Zoells
When God Gave Us Words is a creative tale about the origin of words and the power of language. Click the image below to access a downloadable activity page inspired by the book. The featured activity, which includes coloring and writing components, encourages children to reflect on the positive words they use and the impact they can make.
100 Sheep, 10 Coins, 2 Sons
Written by Amy-Jill Levine and Sandy Eisenberg Sasso
Illustrated by Margaux Meganck
Who Counts? is a creative retelling of three popular parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. Click the images below to download printable coloring sheets that feature artwork from the book!
Written by Amy Jill-Levine and Sandy Eisenberg Sasso
Illustrated by Denise Turu
Blues and Yellows just don’t mix, and that’s how it’s always been—until the day Midnight Blue takes a tumble along the road and a Yellow named Lemon stops to help him. Click the image below to download a printable coloring sheet featuring Midnight Blue and Lemon!
