Kids Learn About Aesop's Fables With Andy and the Lion by James Daugherty... And a Free Printable Graphic Organizer!

This post is part of the 31 MORE Days of Literature Unit Studies series. You can find all of the links to the thirty-one studies in this post. If you’d like to use these ideas to create your own unit study, this post has step-by-step instructions as well as a free unit study planner. (Want to know more about what, exactly, a unit study is? This post will help.)

While you’re reading and working on your unit study, you can download this free printables pack of graphic organizers for reading. It has a plot chart, venn diagram, KWL chart, two mini book report organizers, a character analysis chart, a plot outline chart, and a reading response sheet where students can record facts while reading.

{We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Occasionally posts contains other affiliate links as well.}

Andy and the Lion by James Daugherty is a great book to use to introduce Aesop’s fables to your kids. The story is a retelling that kids will enjoy. And, after reading, you can use the book to move into a study of fables. In this post, I ‘m sharing post-reading ideas as well as resources you can use to introduce your kids to Aesop’s fables. You can also pick up a FREE graphic organizer that will help you discuss individual fables with your kids.

Book Information

Title- Andy and the Lion

Author- James Daugherty

Recommended ages- PreK-2nd

Synopsis- Andy is fascinated with lions. He checks a book about lions out of the library and reads it until bedtime. Right before bed, his grandfather tells him a riveting lion story, and Andy dreams about lions all night. On his way to school the next morning, what should he meet but a lion? The lion has a thorn in its paw and Andy helps it by pulling the thorn out. They agree to become friends.

When the circus comes to Andy’s town, he goes to see the show. A lion escapes and is running straight toward Andy, who is sure he’s dead. The lion stops, though, as the two recognize each other. It’s his old friend! Andy protects the lion from the crowd (and the crowd from his friend). The friends celebrate, and the next day they lead the whole town in a parade that ends with Andy awarded a medal for bravery.

Post-reading Activities

Vocabulary- After reading, take time to go through the book and choose ten words for kids to learn. Younger kids can learn sight words. Older kids can learn the meanings of unfamiliar words. Print a lion outline and use one to write each word.

Sequencing- Have kids retell the events of the story in sequence. First…, Then…, etc. As they retell events, have them write a sentence or draw a picture to recall each part of the story.

Comparisons- Read the original fable- Androcles and the Lion. Use a venn diagram (included in the free packet mentioned above) to compare the original with Andy and the Lion.