Tag Archives: treasury of hans christian andersen giveaway

12 DAYS OF STORY

I wanted to make an advent calendar for This Picture Book Life that would work for anyone and everyone. Turns out it’s more than an advent calendar. It’s a story activity that could be used other times, too!

12 installments of a tale unfolding where the story is the treat! Wondering about it. Guessing the next part. The delayed gratification of the very end. (Can you tell I’ve been listening to the Serial podcast? I’m obsessed. Are you?)

“The Snow Queen” fairy tale is a favorite of mine and super great for the holiday season. It’s wintry, of course. Not only that, it’s really about love and friendship, the bond between a boy and girl who are best friends. Their special connection is the only thing strong enough to overcome the iciest heart.

(Also, kid lit fans might want to check out Anne Ursu’s middle grade novel, Breadcrumbs, a wonderful take on “The Snow Queen” for older kids and a great read aloud too.)

 

Here’s how you can make yours:

*Download the following PDF. Click the link and print it out and you’re pretty much ready to go!

12DaysofTheSnowQueen_ThisPictureBookLife

*Cut up each day’s section and tuck it into an envelope. (We made origami envelopes out of pretty papers, but any one would do.)

*Label the envelopes according to the days, one through twelve.

*Tie your envelopes together, stack them, put them up with clothespins on twine, or carry them with you!

*Read the section of “The Snow Queen” from each envelope aloud every day until the end! You can start any day in December (or beyond).

 

 

I  adapted my abridged version of “The Snow Queen” from An Illustrated Treasury of Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales illustrated by Anastasiya Archipova. (Stay tuned for a giveaway of that book very soon!)

 

 

I hope you’re inspired to make this Snow Queen advent calendar! Send me a photo for sure if you do! Or enter to win this very one for your home or classroom!

 

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Enter to win my handmade 12 Days of Story by using the rafflecopter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

(Giveaway ends Thursday, December 4th; open to N. America only—sorry about that, far-flung international readers! I’ll email the randomly chosen winner for their mailing address.)