Sterling, Best Fork Dog Ever

Flexible Thinking, Humor, Originality, Picture Books, ,

“Sterling, Best Fork Dog Ever”

No one had wanted Sterling for very long. When the Butlery Cutlery Company advertises shipping to all the best homes, Sterling is determined to be the best fork ever.

He did his best to be a handy and useful fork but one day the family eats with their fingers. To avoid being sent back to the company, Sterling tries to be useful by being a whisk, a lamp, and a paper towel holder.

At the dog park, Sterling still tries to be useful by behaving like a stick. The family’s daughter wants Sterling to just be himself. Will Sterling ever figure out who he is?

Delightful end pages show Sterling posing as other objects.

This story promotes creative components of flexible thinking and humor.

WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: I like this book because of Sterling’s character and his humorous ability to adapt himself into other objects. And as always, I appreciate the theme – you are your best by just being yourself.

TITLE: Sterling, Best ForkDog Ever

AUTHOR: Aidan Cassie

ILLUSTRATOR: Aidan Cassie

PUBLISHER: Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers, 2018

AGE GROUP: 5-7

TOPIC(S): family, finding a home, acceptance

CREATIVE COMPONENTS: flexible thinking, humor

LEARNING EXTENSIONS:

1) What animal shape might resemble a spoon? Sketch out your animal spoon. What other items can your animal imitate?

2) Think about a spatula. List other ways might a spatula be used.

3) Caricatures are drawings that emphasize features that can be exaggerated. For example, if someone has a prominent nose, the caricature drawing would show an extremely large nose. Try your hand at drawing a dog caricature. For inspiration, visit: http://www.fredeyer.net/pets.htm

EXTENDING CONNECTIONS:

To learn more about author/illustrator Aidan Cassie, visit:

http://aidancassie.com

Visit https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374306144to see more images of this story.

The Night Box

Imagination, Nature, Perspective, Picture Books, Wonder, , , , ,

“The Night Box”

 Have you ever wondered what happens when the sun sets and night awakes? In The Night Box, a beautiful poetic bedtime story, the magical nature of Night is explored.

Max watches the “last drips of light.”

After he gets ready for bed, he slips the key into the Night Box. Night tumbles out. It has a job to do.

After a busy darkness, Night gets sleepy. It returns to the box and Day spills out.

This story promotes creative components of wonder, imagination, and different perspective.

WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: I like this book because

TITLE: The Night Box

AUTHOR: Louise Greig

ILLUSTRATOR: Ashling Lindsey

PUBLISHER: Clarion Books, 2017

AGE GROUP: 3-6

TOPIC(S): night, overcoming night fears

CREATIVE COMPONENTS: wonder, imagination, different perspective

LEARNING EXTENSIONS:

1) In the story, everything has something in the dark. The branch has an owl. The wall has a tree. What other things can you think up that go together in the dark? For example, the lamppost has moths.

2) If you owned a box with a key, what would come out of your box when you unlock it? What if your unlocked box was filled with an element of nature, which element would it be and how could it help others?

EXTENDING CONNECTIONS:

To learn more about author Louise Greig, visit:

https://www.egmont.co.uk/books/author/1051/louise-greig

To learn more about illustrator Ashling Lindsey, visit:

https://ashlinglindsay.co.uk

The Big Book of Games

Imagination, Wonder, ,

“The Big Book of Games”

To celebrate National Game and Puzzle Week, I am featuring a book that brings back memories of staying outdoors past dinnertime to play games like Red Rover and Lucky 500. Remember Hopscotch, Kick the Can, and Ghost in the Graveyard? The Big Book of Games celebrates these beloved childhood games.

Gathered in this lavishly illustrated volume are over four dozen pickup games with easy-to-read directions, safety tips, and helpful hints for more fun.

Challenge friends and family members to a game or this week. Have fun!

This story promotes creative components of wonder and imagination.

WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: I like this book because

TITLE: The Big Book of Games

AUTHOR: Dorothy Stott

ILLUSTRATOR: Dorothy Stott

PUBLISHER: Dutton Children’s Books, 1998

AGE GROUP: 4-8

TOPIC(S): games for indoor, outdoor, party, car, and singing

CREATIVE COMPONENTS: wonder, imagination

LEARNING EXTENSIONS:

1) Invent your own tag game that can be played outdoors.

2) Play an indoor game that does not use technology.

3) Make your own puzzle. Draw and color a picture. Cut your picture into different shapes. Have a friend put your picture puzzle together.

EXTENDING CONNECTIONS:

To learn more about author and illustrator, visit:

https://www.jacketflap.com/dorothy-stott/41104