Dasher by Matt Tavares Activity Kit
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Candlewick PressDasher by Matt Tavares Activity Kit
Uploaded by
Candlewick PressDasher Activity Kit
Before they began to guide Santa’s sleigh through the night
to deliver Christmas gifts to children all over the world,
Dasher and her family lived far from the North Pole — and
Santa’s sleigh wasn’t pulled by reindeer! Discover how Dasher
changed Christmas forever in this new holiday tale from
author and illustrator Matt Tavares. Then enjoy the activities
and reproducibles in this kit featuring themes from the book.
HC: 978-1-5362-0137-6
AGES 4–8 • 40 PAGES
Illustration © 2019 by Matt Tavares
Following Your Heart
At the beginning of the book, Mama tells Dasher about the magical place with air that is
crisp and cold and ground that is always covered with a cool blanket of white snow. The
story gives Dasher the bravery to follow the North Star — and her heart — to get to the
North Pole.
What are some examples of times when you were brave and followed your heart?
1.
2.
3.
Dasher Activity Kit • Candlewick Press • www.candlewick.com • page 2
Illustration © 2019 by Matt Tavares
Drawing Page
Dasher helped to save Christmas when Santa and Silverbell were in trouble. Have you
ever helped someone? Draw a picture of you helping someone.
Dasher Activity Kit • Candlewick Press • www.candlewick.com • page 3
Illustration © 2019 by Matt Tavares
Word Search
Can you spot the words from Dasher?
G H K S M B L A R V
R E I N D E E R Q F
K C M O J W Z A B Y
P D T W U H E E R L
A U S R U C J D X K
Y E W D A S H E R I
L K T A M N S O F Q
H G I E L S A T N R
T I X F O E Z X A D
B K A T N A S I P F
DASHER SNOW
SANTA SLEIGH
REINDEER
Dasher Activity Kit • Candlewick Press • www.candlewick.com • page 4
Illustration © 2019 by Matt Tavares
Maze
Help Dasher follow the North Star to find the North Pole.
FINISH
START
Dasher Activity Kit • Candlewick Press • www.candlewick.com • page 5
Illustration © 2019 by Matt Tavares
Crossword Puzzle
Use the clues to solve this Christmas crossword.
2 3
5 6
Clues:
ACROSS DOWN
3. The jolly man dressed in red who 1. The name of Dasher’s new home
delivers presents on Christmas 2. What Dasher helps Santa deliver to
4. Dasher’s favorite food the children in time for Christmas
5. Dasher helps pull this on Christmas morning
Eve 3. Who pulled Santa’s sleigh before the
7. What star does Dasher’s mother tell reindeer?
her about? 6. The brave little doe that changed
Christmas forever
Answers: ACROSS: 3. SANTA; 4. CARROTS; 5. SLEIGH; 7. NORTHSTAR, DOWN: 1. NORTHPOLE; 2. TOYS; 3. SILVERBELL; 6. DASHER
Dasher Activity Kit • Candlewick Press • www.candlewick.com • page 6
Illustration © 2019 by Matt Tavares
Read another Christmas story
from Matt Tavares!
Red and Lulu
HC: 978-0-7636-7733-6
Ages 3–7 • 40 pages
• about Matt Tavares •
Matt Tavares is the author-illustrator of Crossing Niagara, Henry Aaron’s Dream, There Goes Ted
Williams, Becoming Babe Ruth, and Growing Up Pedro, as well as Zachary’s Ball, Oliver’s Game, and
Mudball. He is the illustrator of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas, Over the River and Through the
Wood, Lady Liberty by Doreen Rappaport, The Gingerbread Pirates by Kristin Kladstrup, and Jubilee!
by Alicia Potter. He also wrote and illustrated the modern Christmas tale Red and Lulu. Matt
Tavares lives in Ogunquit, Maine.
Dasher Activity Kit • Candlewick Press • www.candlewick.com • page 7
Illustration © 2017 by Matt Tavares. Photo by Carter Hasegawa