The ancient Polynesians, using large voyaging canoes that could travel great distances, settled the area of the Pacific Islands, from Hawai'i in the north, to Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in the southeast, to New Zealand in the southwest. The ancient Polynesian navigators, who were people who explored the sea, did not use instruments to help them find their way from island to island or across large spaces of the Pacific Ocean. Instead, navigators used the sun and stars, ocean currents and swells, and even cloud formations and other observations, such as the sighting of sea birds, to wayfind. In this story, a young boy and his family travel on a voyaging canoe to a new home on Rapa Nui (Easter Island). As you read, take notes on the relationship between the narrator, Makani, and Kilolani, the navigator. The material is distributed in accordance with the CC BY-NC-SA. See details at: https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/cclicenses/

Joyce Sidman is the author of books of poems for children. In this poem, a speaker talks about a bat. As you read, take notes on what the bat does. The material is distributed in accordance with the CC BY-NC-SA. See details at: https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/cclicenses/

Coyotes are wild animals similar to wolves that are found in North America. In this story, a young girl named Ana is woken up by coyotes outside her window. As you read, take notes on what Ana says about the coyotes. The material is distributed in accordance with the CC BY-NC-SA. See details at: https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/cclicenses/

In this text, the narrator shares how they know spring has arrived. As you read, take notes on how the narrator feels about their visitors. The material is distributed in accordance with the CC BY-NC-SA. See details at: https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/cclicenses/

An animal shelter is a place where pets that do not have a home live. People sometimes visit animal shelters to find a new pet to bring home and care for, or adopt. In this story, a girl and her mother visit an animal shelter to make a decision, or choice, about which cat to adopt. As you read, take notes on how Annie makes her choice. The material is distributed in accordance with the CC BY-NC-SA. See details at: https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/cclicenses/

Elisa Oh creates and illustrates Korean-American stories. In this retelling of a Korean folktale, a brother learns a valuable lesson with help from a swallow. A swallow is a type of bird that is found on every continent. Swallows are often used as a symbol of protection and are believed to bring happiness and luck to a household. As you read, take notes on how Nol Bu’s actions and feelings change throughout the story. The material is distributed in accordance with the CC BY-NC-SA. See details at: https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/cclicenses/

Chinese New Year is the holiday that celebrates, or joyously marks, the beginning of a new year on the Chinese lunar calendar, which uses the patterns of the moon to mark the passing of time. As you read, take notes on the poem’s use of color. The material is distributed in accordance with the CC BY-NC-SA. See details at: https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/cclicenses/

The material is distributed in accordance with the CC BY-NC-SA. See details at: https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/cclicenses/

Deborah Underwood is the author of more than twenty picture books for kids. Supper is a word used in the South which means an evening meal. In this poem, a speaker describes what they are having for supper. As you read, take notes on what the speaker sees. The material is distributed in accordance with the CC BY-NC-SA. See details at: https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/cclicenses/