Pair The Nocturnals Fiction and Nonfiction: A Staple Lesson for Elementary Teachers
"How had I NOT heard of The Nocturnals series by Tracey Hecht? It’s an early reader/middle grade reading adventure that pairs fiction and nonfiction with incredible resources and lovable character friends..." - Lara Ivey
Click here to read the full blog post on Follett.
Pair Fiction & Nonfiction using FREE Educator Activities!
Pairing fiction and nonfiction is a great way to build bridges across school subjects and help 3rd and 4th graders make real-world connections to their reading. Educators can use our free resources to pair fiction and nonfiction in their elementary classrooms!
Summer Reading Craft: DIY Imagination River
Find this activity in The Kooky Kinkajou Social and Emotional Learning Program on page 2!
3 Easy Ways to Protect Wildlife on Earth Day!
Happy Earth Day!
This year’s theme is Planet vs. Plastics. Pollution poses a threat to all wildlife, and our friends in the wild are disappearing at an alarming rate as a result of human activity. Thankfully, there’s hope! If we work together, we can save endangered species from total extinction.
Here are three easy ways you and your family can help protect at-risk species and improve the health of our planet:
Earth Day Activity: Build a Mini Animal Habitat
Can you build an animal its very own mini habitat that meets all its needs? You can make one for the pangolin, sugar glider, or fox using the information in The Nocturnals nonfiction books, or you can choose your own nocturnal animal to research!
Summer Reading Activity: Nocturnal Animal Mask Crafts
Looking for a fun take and make activity? We've got you covered!
Use our printable Animal Mask Craft to become your favorite member of The Nocturnals. All you need for this activity are coloring supplies, scissors, wood craft sticks, and tape. Don’t forget to share your creations!
The Nocturnals Animal Nonfiction Book Collection by Tracey Hecht
Connect Kids to the Science Behind the Series!
Get Ready for Halloween with Nocturnals Face Painting Instructions!
Looking for a way to celebrate Halloween? Have a Face Painting Party! Follow the video instructions below to transform your child into a member of the Nocturnal Brigade.
The Nocturnals Word Search Writing Activity
Download The Nocturnals Word Search activity! Click here to access.
Unusual Baby Nocturnal Animal Facts to Put a Smile on Your Face
Cuteness overload! Here are some unusual facts about baby animals from The Nocturnals nonfiction books to support summer learning and put a smile on your face.
Boredom Be Gone! 8 Fun Activities for Kids Ages 7-12 to Support Summer Reading
Summer is just around the corner! Need some fun things to fill those long summer days? The Nocturnals Summer Reading Kit is jam-packed with Nocturnals-themed learning activities that support kids’ reading comprehension and STEAM skills using the fiction and nonfiction books—everything you need to have an awesome and educational summer!
Use The Weeping Wombat to Learn Empathy for Mental Health Awareness Month
Visit Your Favorite Nocturnal Animal on National Zoo Lovers Day
April 8th is National Zoo Lovers Day! It's celebrated annually to encourage the public to explore their local zoos and show appreciation for the education and awareness that zoos bring to their communities.
Happy World Pangolin Day! Discover 4 Mind-Boggling Pangolin Features
World Pangolin Day is celebrated every February to raise awareness about pangolins– including our favorite pangolin, Tobin, from The Nocturnals book series by Tracey Hecht. You may have noticed pangolins are unique-looking creatures, but what you may not know is that pangolins' features are designed to help them survive. All their physical attributes perform a specific job! Here are four features that help pangolins defend themselves in the wild.
Write a Poem for National Poetry Month!
Celebrate National Poetry Month by writing a poem with the Nocturnals!
9 Ways to Keep Spring Break Fun from The Nocturnals!
Book Recommendations for Black History Month!
Celebrate Black authors this month and every month with these three books: a young adult novel, a middle grade book, and a picture book. These stories invite readers into diverse experiences of everyday life that showcase the strength of family and friendship.
Celebrate World Pangolin Day with Tobin from The Nocturnals!
While writing The Nocturnals book series, it was really important to me to use the physiologies of the animals and their unique characteristics to inform and develop the characters and to enhance the plot and story dynamic. The details I learn about the nocturnal world constantly inspire and engage me. For World Pangolin Day (February 19, 2022), I am sharing some interesting facts I learned about pangolins while researching for Tobin, the sweet pangolin in the Nocturnals.
No Name-Calling Week: Kindness and Empathy in The Nocturnals
This week is No Name-Calling Week, which brings awareness to the problem of bullying and teaches kids to respect other people’s differences. Often times when someone looks or acts in a way that seems different, it can feel unknown or even scary for kids. It may make them want to call that person names or treat them badly, especially if they think that person might be threatening.
Storytelling Can Show Children the Value of Friendship
January is here, and the rush of the holidays is over. As we settle into the calm of winter, it’s the perfect time to take a moment to reflect on all the good things in our lives. For us, these include family, friends, and you—our readers—who enjoy all the stories about the Nocturnals .