Hello, Puddle! Reading Guide & Activities | Ages 12 Months–8 Years

Turn storytime into an opportunity to read together, create together, and grow together with this printable companion guide for Hello, Puddle!, written by Anita Sanchez and illustrated by Luisa Uribe.

Designed for children ages 12 months through 8 years, this guide helps you explore the book at your child’s developmental level—without turning reading time into a lesson or quiz. Start by simply enjoying the story together. Then, return to the book whenever you are ready to discover how one small puddle supports plants, animals, insects, and changing seasons through engaging questions and a hands-on craft. 

Inside this 20-page guide, you’ll find:

• During Reading Tips to help children connect the book’s factual text with its detailed illustrations
• Age-appropriate After Reading Questions for:
• 12–18 months
• 18–24 months
• Ages 2–4
• Ages 5–8
• Guidance showing where to ask each question, which skill it supports, and how it helps your child learn
• A complete materials list and step-by-step directions for a book-inspired painted craft
• Opportunities to explore nonfiction features such as a glossary and bibliography
• Skill-building around vocabulary, counting, picture awareness, life cycles, seasons, habitats, inference, and early science concepts

About the activity

The craft gives children opportunities to experiment with color mixing, cutting, folding, gluing, and creative choices while bringing one of the book’s puddle visitors to life. Families can also add movement lines, extra ducks, or other animals inspired by the story.

The activity extends the book’s nature theme while supporting fine-motor development, creativity, visual awareness, and conversations about the animals and plants that depend on water.

The goal is not a picture-perfect project—it is the connection, conversation, creativity, and time spent making something together.

This guide is a good fit for families who want to:

• Introduce early science and nature concepts through a picture book
• Learn about animal life cycles, habitats, weather, and changing seasons
• Help children use illustrations to understand nonfiction text
• Build nature-related vocabulary and background knowledge
• Practice observation, counting, comparing, and inferencing
• Explore how glossaries and bibliographies support nonfiction reading
• Enjoy a prepared craft without having to plan everything themselves

Please note

This is a digital PDF download. No physical book, printed guide, or craft supplies will be mailed.

You will need access to a copy of Hello, Puddle! by Anita Sanchez to use the reading portions of this guide. The book may be borrowed from your local library or purchased separately.

Recommended ages: 12 months–8 years

Format: Printable digital PDF

Length: 20 pages

Included activity: 1