For teachers and librarians · K–3
An Earth Day read-aloud about fixing things
The Secret of the Squeaky Wagon teaches Repair and Reuse through a story K–3 kids can act out: find the problem, fix it, give it a new job.
A 30-minute Earth Day lesson
- Before reading (5 min). Show a broken toy. Ask: "What should we do with it?" List answers.
- Read aloud (10 min). Pause at the stuck wheel and at Poley's tear: "What's broken? How could they fix it?"
- Sort the Rs (10 min). Hold up objects or pictures; kids move to the corner for the R that fits. Start with Reuse, Repair and Recycle for K, all six for grades 1–2. Or use the free cut-and-sort worksheet.
- Exit ticket (5 min). "Draw one thing at home you could fix instead of throwing away."
Discussion questions
- How did Penny and Leo know something was hiding in the hedge?
- What was the secret of the squeak?
- Why did Aria sew Poley instead of getting a new bear?
- Each crew member had a job. Which job would you want?
- Where did the toys in the wagon go? Why?
Reduce, reuse, recycle explained for kids · Earth Day books · 20 Earth Day activities · Recycling books
Library and school ordering
- Title
- The Secret of the Squeaky Wagon
- Series
- The Rummage Crew, Book 1
- Format
- Paperback, 8.5 × 8.5 in, full colour, 32 pages
- Ages / grades
- 5–9 · K–3
- ISBN
- Announced at launch
Teacher questions
What grade is The Secret of the Squeaky Wagon for?
Kindergarten to grade 3 (ages 5 to 9). It works as a whole-class read-aloud in K and 1, and as an independent read for confident grade 2 readers.
How does it fit Earth Day or a reduce, reuse, recycle unit?
It covers Repair and Reuse through a story: kids see a rusty wagon fixed and outgrown toys donated. Pair it with a recycling non-fiction title and a sorting activity for a full 3 Rs or 6 Rs lesson.
Does the book use Canadian spelling?
Yes, the text uses Canadian spelling (for example, neighbours), which suits Canadian classrooms.
For teachers