Looking for meaningful These Long-Loved Things activities to use during Book Week 2025 or the start of the school year? This poetic picture book by Josh Pyke and Ronojoy Ghosh explores memory, identity and the sentimental objects that shape who we are.
“Where do they go, these long-loved things? These stories told, these songs we sing? Once a memory is made, it remains. Even when it is forgotten.”
Whether you’re planning Book Week 2025 or preparing back-to-school activities, this title is a perfect fit for engaging students in meaningful storytelling, emotional literacy, and creative reflection.
Book Week Classroom Activity Idea: Create a Class Time Capsule
One engaging way to extend These Long-Loved Things is by creating a classroom time capsule.
How to Create a Memory Capsule:
- Read the book aloud and discuss the idea of “long-loved things.”
- Ask students to draw or write about a special object they have loved—even if it’s old, broken, or forgotten.
- Have students describe:
- Why the object is important
- Who gave it to them
- What memory it represents
- Collect all drawings/writing into a box, label it with a date, and set a time to open it later in the year.
Why Use These Long-Loved Things in the Classroom?
This beautifully illustrated book is ideal for:
- Back-to-school weeks, when students are reflecting on changes and new beginnings
- Book Week celebrations, as it explores stories and personal meaning
- Health and wellbeing lessons, to encourage discussions around resilience, self-identity, and gratitude
It supports Australian Curriculum outcomes in English, HASS, and Personal and Social Capability, particularly through:
- Making personal connections to texts
- Exploring emotional responses
- Developing empathy and communication
Lesson Ideas and Printables for These Long-Loved Things
To help you save time and enrich your Book Week planning, I’ve created a print-and-go classroom resource specifically designed for These Long-Loved Things.
What’s Included:
- Story comprehension and visualising worksheets
- Making connections activities
- Creative and descriptive writing prompts
- Open-ended art and design tasks
- A teacher guide and student cover page
These activities are suitable for Foundation to Year 3, with flexibility to extend or simplify based on student needs.
👉 Explore the full resource here on TpT
Why It’s Perfect for Book Week 2025
These Long-Loved Things is more than a story—it’s an invitation to connect with the past, express emotion, and celebrate the small things that shape our lives. It aligns beautifully with Book Week’s focus on storytelling, identity, and reflection.
Whether you’re creating a themed display, building empathy in your students, or simply looking for a touching story to share, this book is a standout choice for Book Week 2025.
More Book Week 2025 Ideas
If you’re planning your Book Week program, I’ve got loads of resources and blog posts to make things easy (and fun!):
- 🌀 Spiro Craft Activity – CBCA Book Week 2025
- 🧚♀️ Tooth Fairy Activities – Book Week 2025
- 🚲 The Wobbly Bike – Teaching Activities
- 🦓 How to Move a Zoo – Classroom Ideas
These are all part of my growing Book Week bundle, and each post includes links to ready-to-use resources and teaching ideas.
📌 Don’t forget to pin or save this post for later!
Looking for more Book Week 2025 ideas and resources? Be sure to follow along and explore the rest of the CBCA Book Week Shortlist lesson ideas.
Visit Little Learner Hub to find more great teaching resources!