Activities for Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite

1. The author uses the recreation of the famous  Nutcracker Suite,  to introduce the work of Duke Ellington and jazz as the basis for this book.  Discuss how this is an effective way to tell this story and why?
   
   
2. The illustrator makes a point of capturing the images of the faces of the band members and different settings to tell this story.  What image has the most meaning to you and why?
   
   
3. What new information did you learn from this story?
   
   
4. The author provides some information about Duke Ellington and his band members.  Using available resources, research more information about any of them and some key events and create a time line that will provide more information about key figures for the time period.

THE CHRONICLES OF HARRIS BURDICK

How did the fifth chair end up in France? (THE SEVEN CHAIRS)/ What was the name of the book Mr. Linden was reading and had opened to page 201? (MR. LINDEN'S LIBRARY)/ What did Trent think caused metal to grow behind the walls and under the floor of the house? (THE HOUSE ON MAPLE STREET)/ Why did Archie tag all bases and throw himself across home plate when he hit the ball out of the park? How did Archie's nickname, Boy Wonder, originate? (ARCHIE SMITH, BOY WONDER)/ What was Grandmother's final advice to her Grandson? (UNDER THE RUG)/ Who told Pearlie that all letters should end with a summation and an offering of good wishes? What acts as a metaphor for how Pearlie feels? (THE THIRD FLOOR BEDROOM)/ Why didn't the caterpillars respond when Alice introduced them to her family? (OSCAR AND ALPHONSE)

Which Harris Burdick illustration is your favorite? Why? Could you write a story around that illustration? Where would your story take place? What would your story be about? Who would the characters be?   Who would the storyteller be?  Can you include the illustration's caption in your story as did the authors in THE CHRONICLES OF HARRIS BURDICK?

How does Lemony Snicket's introduction set the tone for THE CHRONICLES OF HARRIS BURDICK?  How is the introduction humorous? How is it clever? How is it useful? How does it relate to Chris Van Allsburg's original introduction to THE MYSTERIES OF HARRIS BURDICK?

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Artist Eric Puybaret, has visually included many attractive details in his illustrations for this poem. Ask the child to study each of the pictures and locate the following images: a mouse, a beagle dog resting in a basket, a rocking horse, a fellow picking up twigs in the night, a man's face peeking over the edge of a vase, a toy train, a sign that says "shoes", a giraffe, an elephant, a candy cane, a wreath, holly, and lights that look like bells.

Ask the child: Can you recall the names of all eight reindeer in this poem? If you could give them new names what would you call each of them? Why?

Ask the child: In this book does Santa look like you expected? How is he different from what you have seen before?  How would you describe him to someone who has not seen this book?  Take a piece of paper and crayons and draw your own picture of Santa.

In this poem Santa is called St. Nicholas and St. Nick. Do you know other names that refer to him in other countries around the world? (help the child with such figures as Father Christmas, Kris Kringle , Sinterklaas, Pere Noel and Noel Baba).

EVERY THING ON IT

In the poem "Three Flamingoes" the poet complains that someone ate the S's out of his name. Study the drawing and discuss the following questions: Who ate the S's? Why did the author-illustrator select this bird to be the thief? Think about physical structure.  What other birds could have eaten this letter? Think about necks.

How do Shel Silverstein's drawings enrich the following poems: "Whoosh", "Asleep", "Mistake", " Cinderella", "Looking for Santa" and "Friend"? Would these poems be as effective without the drawings? Why?

Shel Silverstein's family, friends and publisher arranged this book from his unpublished poems and drawings twelve years after his death. Some of the poems do not have accompanying drawings.  Select one from the following list and illustrate it yourself: "Spider", "The Kid-Eating Land Shark", "Frightened" or "Dirty Clothes". Have fun!

"Growing Down" is the longest poem in this collection with 80 lines. Read it out loud to hear the rhythm and the story. Write a paragraph describing what this poem means to you. Think about the differences between the point of view of the child and of the adult. Have you ever participated in some of the childhood activities that are mentioned? What does Mr. Brown originally feel about growing up? What does Mr. Brown find out about growing down? Now you are ready to write.

Which poem is your favorite? Why? Which poem is the funniest to you? Which poem is the most serious to you? Could you memorize one of the poems so you would always have it with you? Try it.

Read the first poem in the book entitled "Years from Now". Then read the last poem in the book entitled 'When I am Gone". Who is speaking to you? How do these four-line poems make you feel? Write your own four-line poem to Shel Silverstein about your feelings.

THE HUGO MOVIE COMPANION

From reading the original graphic novel and reading THE HUGO MOVIE COMPANION what do you think the movie will be about? How do you think it will differ from the book? Think about the role of automatons and magic. What are Hugo's biggest obstacles? Why does he never give up? What does he hope to find? What does he find?

Director Martin Scorsese recreates a famous movie scene in HUGO. What is the name of the classic film from which the scene is recreated? Who starred in the classic scene? Who is in the recreated scene? Why do you think Director Martin Scorsese decided to recreate this scene for HUGO?

HUGO Movie Trivia:
Who was Antonio Diavolo------What is the KINGDOM OF THE FAIRIES---What great painting was used as inspiration for the face of one of the 15 automatons------How was the train crash of 1895 recreated in HUGO, the movie-----What is A TRIP TO THE MOON-----Where did Brian Selznick get the idea for the name Hugo Cabret -----What great movie producer was related to Brian Selznick-----how many hours of film were accomplished by the time the filming was over-----Who played the role of HUGO-----Who played the role of  Isabelle-----In what country does the story take place?

TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE STAR

1. Jerry Pinkney creates an illustrated version of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.  What is your favorite illustration and why?
2. If you were going to illustrate a favorite song, which one would you choose?
3. With the help of an adult, try your hand at creating an illustrated book of your favorite song or rhyme.
4. Share your creation with friends and family and encourage them share their favorite song or rhyme with you.

MOUSE AND LION


This fable is only one of hundreds of fables attributed to Aesop. Do you know any others besides this fable?  Do you know The Hare and the Tortoise? Do you know The Fox and the Crow? Look at www.aesop-fables.org.uk/ and view the list of fables to assist in your discussion.

A fable is a story that teaches and that usually has animals as characters. For instance, the moral of The Hare and the Tortoise is that "slow and steady wins the race" and the main characters are a hare and a tortoise. Could you write your own moral to Mouse and Lion? Could you write your own fable around a moral or a wise teaching about your pet. Try to tell your pet's story by using all animal characters. Then try to write a moral to your fable about your pet.

Study the final illustration and find the following small things: a butterfly, a bee, a beetle, a lizard, a hummingbird, a dragonfly, a bat, a mouse, a turtle and an ant. Why does the Lion want to keep company with these small things on the day he was freed by Mouse? Why did these small things make him happy on this day? Do you see the Lion on this page?

THE ART COLLECTOR

Study the double page illustration of Oscar's room and find the following: a picture of a buffalo, a picture of a parrot, a picture of a still life (objects that do not move), a picture of a landscape and a picture of a poster for an opera or dance theatre. Which of all the pictures in his room do you like best and why?

From this same double spread illustration answer the following questions about Oscars life? What sports does Oscar like to play? What three pets does he keep in his room? What evidence is there that Oscar keeps his room orderly?

When Oscar became a famous art collector and his pictures were housed in The Oscar Museum what picture did he keep for himself? Why did he keep this particular picture?

Have you ever made a picture that has been framed and or hung on your bedroom wall? If so, what was the picture of? If not, draw or paint a picture and if you like it ask your parents to help you put it up on your bedroom wall. Do you already have a poster on your bedroom wall? If so, what is it about and what do you like about it? How does it make you feel?

Megan's Year

In the Author' Notes Gloria Whelan shares the fact that she and her father loved travelling and exploring the landscape much like Megan and her father. What did Gloria Whelan's father mean when he invited her to  "mosey around"? When did you last do this and with whom?

Why did Megan's father dislike the city? Study the story and discuss three of his reasons. What does he say about the quality of the air, the availability of jobs and the  cost of living in the city?

The illustrations show Megan and her brothers and sisters picking berries, swimming, fishing and enjoying stories around a campfire. What do you like to do in the summer?

What have you learned about Irish Travelers from this book?  Where do they live in the summer? Where do they live in the winter? What is the name of their secret language? What are some of the biggest obstacles they face as a group? How do they support each other? Why are they sometimes targets of name calling?

The Goblin and the Empty Chair

1. Why is the family so sad?
   
   
2. Why does the Goblin help the family members?
   
   
3. Why does the family invite the Goblin into their home to dine with them?
   
   
4. What clues do the illustrations provide us to understand what is happening in the story?
   
   
5. Why is this story considered a fairytale?
   
   
6. Look for other books that have been written by Mem Fox and discover how they tell stories about families and other fairytale events.

Questions for: Bumble-Ardy

Bumble-Ardy is going to be nine years old. How does the author of this book focus on the number 9? Study the pictures and the words. Look at the signs, the banners and the balloons. Count the candles on the cake.

Maurice Sendak's illustrations are always full of interesting details.  Can you spy the following items at Bumble-Ardy's party:  a pig in a hat, a sheriff's badge, a birthday card, a mechanical toy pig, a wooden horse, a birthday cake, a violin, a pig in a pink costume, a green mask, a drum, a checkered hat, a skeleton playing a green horn, feathers, a party noisemaker, a hat with a candelabra on top, a lollypop and pigs playing tambourines.

Have you ever attended a masquerade party? If so, what did you dress as?  How is Bumble's party very much like Halloween? Which pig had the best costume? Why?

Aunt Adeline is very mad at Bumble when she sees the messy pigs in her house. Why does she forgive him? Do you think he will give himself another birthday party without permission?

Questions for: The Keeping Quilt

1. Patricia Polacco begins this story through the experiences of her great-grandma.  Ask your parents or family members about special stories that they remember from their own childhood. 
2. Describe the story shared with you and take time to create a written story or poem about the event.
3. Does your family have any special traditions that you celebrate?  Using resources available, choose a culture that you want to learn about and discover what traditions or celebrations are important.
4. Ask your teacher if your classroom could create its own classroom quilt that would represent some of the activities you do as a class throughout the year.  Be creative by using all of the different art media available to your class.
5. With the help of your parents, go to a garage sale or find an unused clothing items at home and create a your “keeping quilt.”

Ben Franklin coined many phases during his lifetime. These catchy phrases hold much wisdom. In your own words explain what each of the following sayings mean:

A PENNY SAVED IS A PENNY EARNED.
WELL DONE IS BETTER THAN WELL SAID.
LITTLE STROKES FELL GREAT OAKS.
HE THAT HATH A TRADE HATH AN ESTATE.
ENERGY AND PERSISTENCE CONQUERS ALL THINGS.
GAMES LUBRICATE THE MIND.
MAKE HASTE SLOWLY.
LOST TIME IS NEVER FOUND AGAIN.

Study the illustrations and find the following Franklin inventions: the armonica, bifocals, the Pennsylvania stove, a wind powered meat roaster, a claw device to pick up objects, the lightning rod and a chair that unfolds into a ladder.  You might want to do further research on these inventions. Which ones are still important today? Please discuss.

Franklin was indeed a public spirited individual. How does that  resonate in this book? Look at his activities as postmaster of Philadelphia, delegate to the Constitutional Convention, supporter of libraries and educational institutions and diplomat to France and Britain. He wanted to be "a useful citizen." Do you know such citizens in public and or private life today? Please discuss.

1. Have you ever thought about “going green”?  Take a few minutes and write a short story about what kind of project you would do if your class decided to “go green.”
2. Have you ever had an opportunity to recycle things at home or school?
3. The illustrator created  the beautiful drawings in this book.  Use a selection of your favorite media to draw a picture.  Practice creating a scene that would be a good illustration for your story about “going green.”
4. The author presents his readers with some information about “going green.” Using the resources available, find out more about what you can do to make a difference in your community.
5. An activity found on www.planetgreen.discovery.com  that is a favorite for many children is to gather all the broken crayons together, remove the paper from them and then break them into smaller pieces.  With a help of an adult, you can place a handful of these mixed up broken crayons into baking tins and place them in the oven on the lowest heat level until melted.  Once cooled, you will have wonderful “new” crayons to share with friends and is a great way to make recycling fun.

Read the Author's Notes at the front of the book.  The author says he rediscovered "the passion in which our country was created, a passion that would be universally inspirational and would be the model for governments all over the world." How did he rediscover that passion? What did he read? Have you ever read any of these documents? Discuss.

Study the murals and also look at the Art Notes at the back of the book. See if you can find the following images: Amelia Earhart, the John Hancock Building, Chinese railroad workers, Detroit, the Mississippi River, Mark Twain, Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller, Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King, Japanese internment camp, Wounded Knee, the Civil War, Big Foot, a Lakota Scout, Thomas Jefferson, Jimi Hendrix, Maria Tallchief and Cesar Chavez. Discuss these people and places. Do some research if necessary---it is fun!

There are numerous quotations featured in this book. Have you heard any of them?  One quote that is not widely known is by Tecumseh, a Shawnee Chief. It reads, " This land belongs to the first who sits downs on his blanket." What do you think this statement could mean? Be sure to read the full quotations and the identifications and history around each that is included at the back of this book. Which quotation is your favorite? Why?

The mural on pages 30/31 is ideal for creating a tableau. In the classroom 13 children can work on the entire picture that contains 13 human figures.  Children at home can zero on one figure. After some research and understanding of who the figure is, try to recreate/copy the physical and emotional aspects of each figure----look at the posture, the glaze of the eyes, facial expression, gestures and angle of the head. Work in front of a mirror in order to see what your body is doing in this process.

Questions for DETECTIVE BLUE

In this story Miss Muffet is missing. According to the Mother Goose rhyme, why did she run away? According to the Spider, why did she run away? What clue did Detective Blue follow that led him to the forest? What is Miss Muffet's first name?

Study the illustrations and see if you can find word or picture references to the twenty-four rhymes in the story that are listed opposite the title page. What Mother Goose story is also referred to in this book?

Study the conversations, signs and pictures and find out the following information: Why did the lamb want to follow Mary to school? What kind of pie was Jack Horner eating? What was Little Bo Peep planning on doing when her sheep disappeared? Where was the Queen's Tarts bakery located? Where had the Pussycat been travelling? Why was Humpty Dumpty sitting on the wall? Who entertained at the concert held at King Coles' castle? 

Write or make up your own version of one of the Mother Goose rhymes   mentioned in this book. For instance, how could you rewrite the following rhyme? It is known as a street cry because that was the way people sold their goods. What could you sell in this way?

Hot cross buns! Hot cross buns!

One ha' penny, two ha' penny, hot cross buns.

If you have no daughters, give them to your sons.

One ah' penny, two ah' penny, hot cross buns!

Questions for When Lightning Comes is a Jar

Questions N/A

Questions for Mine!

1. How do you know one child is younger than the other child? Study the pictures and note what each child is wearing and how each child moves around the playing area. Also, look at the differences in their physical size and their ability to gather toys.

2. There are two adults in this book shown at the beginning and the end. We only see their legs and feet. Why? Who could they be? What makes you think that?

3. The little dog is a member of the playgroup. Who does he belong to? What could his name be? How does he help the playgroup share?

4. Do you share your toys with your brothers and sisters and your friends? Have you ever played with someone who would not share his/her toys? How did that make you feel? What did you do about that?

5. Why is sharing fun?

Questions for Big Night for Salamanders

1. Have you ever studied salamanders? Look up additional information on the climate and regions where salamanders live. How many different kinds of salamanders exist?

2. The author presents her readers with some interesting information about the spotted salamander. Using the resources available to you, look up information about other amphibians, fish, birds, or mammals that also have migrating patterns.

3. Create a story board of a salamander or any other amphibian, fish, bird, or mammal that migrates back to its place of birth to spawn or lay its eggs. Share your research and story board with your family and friends.

Questions for Me...Jane

1. Jane Goodall's toy chimpanzee, Jubilee, was given to her when she was a very young child. In her late seventies, Jane still has this toy today! Did you have a favorite toy when you were very young? Discuss your toy: What did it look like? Did you give it a name? Do you still have it in your possession? Do you know who gave it to you? Why is/ was it so special to you?

2. Dr. Goodall has established a global organization for children and young people called Roots and Shoots. It is dedicated to community centered awareness and action in the areas of conservation and animal welfare. For more particulars about how to make a difference in your community and the environment you can visit the website at www.rootsandshoots.org.

3. Do you have an idea of what you would like to do when you are an adult? Are you doing anything now to keep that dream alive? Do you read books about the subject area as Jane did? Have you discussed this dream with your parents and teachers? Have you tried to keep a journal about your dream? Have you ever tried to draw a picture of yourself doing what you think you would like to do when you are older? Try it.

Questions for The Secret History of Mermaids and Creatures of the Deep

1. How would you describe a Mermaid?

2. What aspect of mermaids and creatures of the deep did you find most fascinating?

3. Draw a picture of what you would like to find in a Mermaid’s cave?

4. Create a diorama of an underwater village.

5. What story or vignette did you like best and why?

Questions for Small Acts of Amazing Courage

1. How does the title of this book fulfill itself in the action of the story?  What acts of courage does Rosalind perform? Does any other character show courage in this book? Please discuss.

2. Have you ever had the opportunity to perform an act of courage? What were the circumstances? How did it make you feel? Please discuss.

3. Author Gloria Whelan uses many authentic words in the telling of this story set in India. Review the words in the Glossary at the back of the book. Do you know what each Hindi word means? Check your understanding of each word by looking at the text of the story.

4. Can you trace Rosalind's growing awareness of social injustice in 1918 India? How does this injustice relate to her conflict with her father regarding colonialism and India's right to rule itself? Were you familiar with the man named Gandhi before reading this book? Why is Rosalind's father so opposed to her interest in Gandhi and the Congress Party?

5. What do you think will happen to Rosalind when she returns to India to   again live with her mother and father?  Review page 201 where Rosalind speaks of her doubts about what her father meant when he said he would undertake her education himself. " Did he mean he would just empty into me all that was in him and then that would be me? Or would he share his experiences with me and let me mix them in my own thoughts?" Please discuss.

Questions for The Wonderful Book

1. The author uses forest animals to tell this story.  What does this perspective add and why is it important?

2. Try your hand at writing a story about something that is common to you but might be a mystery to others. Imagine that you had to describe an object or event to someone who knew nothing about it.  How would you make it understandable?

3. Each animal thought he knew what the book was for…house, hat, table, bed.  Can you think of any other unusual uses for a book that would provide a comical event?

4. Books contain wonderful adventures within their covers.  What is your favorite book and what did you like most about it?

Questions for Take Me Out to the Ball Game

1. The pictures tell most of the story in this book. Study the illustrations and find answers to the following questions:  How can you distinguish the Sluggers from the Diamonds? Do you know which animal plays what position? How do you know what happens in the ninth inning? Can you follow the plays?  How do you know it is a championship game?

2. The artist has included wonderful details about the fans. Find the following situations: What number does Katie Casey have on her baseball shirt? Which animal wears sunglasses in the bleachers? Which animal is selling cold drinks? Which animals are eating hot dogs? Which animal is looking at the game through binoculars? Which animal takes a "Go Elephant" sign to the stadium? Which animal holds up a "Sluggers Rule" sign?

3. Have you ever been to a major baseball game? How did it differ from the one shown in this book? Have you ever played baseball? If so, which animal in this book played the same position as you did?

2. Try your hand at writing a story through the eyes of a pet or favorite animal.  What things do you need to know about your animal to make the story believable?

3. Cat is frustrated by being awakened by Rooster. What are the problems with the way he handled his frustration?

4. Tell of a time when you or someone you know acted out inappropriately in response to the actions of another.  How did that make you feel and how did you deal with it?  Discuss what you or others should do if  this happens.

Questions for Lipman Pike

1. In this biography Lipman and his brother Boaz are shown working in their father's store. The author refers to it as a haberdashery. Have you ever seen this word before?  The book also tells us that people from the neighborhood came to the haberdashery to buy stockings for their sons. From the story and the illustrations we also know that the store sold jawbreakers. Look this word up in a dictionary and see what else was sold in a haberdashery. In this story, why was this also a popular place for the neighbors to gather?

2. Why did Lipman Pike's Philadelphia Athletic teammates vote him off the team? What fear did they make up? How do acts of prejudice harm everyone involved?

3. The book indicates that Lip was a very fast runner and he practiced running in his father's store. Discuss the distance between the location of the cash box and the front window display. How long would it take Lip to run there and back? His father and brother often said Lip was as fast as a racehorse. How did Lip prove that to be so?

4. Study the first picture in the book and answer the following questions: How do you know Boaz is studying very hard?----How do you know Mr. Pike has a customer?----How do you know Lip wants to run?

Questions for No Time for Monsters

1. Have you ever been asked to do a chore by a parent, grandparent, or family member that you didn’t want to do right then?  Do you remember how it was resolved?  Take a few minutes and write a short story about the day, the chore, and how you felt when it was finally done.

2. Has your parent or teacher ever given you directions or asked you to do something that you didn’t quite do as they intended or expected? Were you able to “find your way back” to the original request and get it done anyway?  Was it more or less work? 

3. Valeria Cervantes  has created  several colorful monsters  in this book.  Use a selection of your favorite media to draw a picture.  Practice creating a scene that would be a good illustration for the story you wrote. 

4. The author provides his readers with a story told in English and in Spanish. As you look at both narratives, pick out the words that are similar in both languages.  What are some other words that are spelled the same in both languages?   

Questions for Around the World on Eighty Legs

1. The poems are full of sound----the hyenas sound like they are laughing, the grumpy camels groan, the howler monkeys howl very loudly, the auks squawk shrilly and the elephants trumpet victoriously. Try to imitate the sounds of each of these animals. The voice of the hyena sounds like jerky giggles.  The camel's groaning complaint is a low pitched throaty sound. The howler monkey's howl can be heard a long way off and is a low gravel like howl that can be sort of scary to hear. The auk's squawk is harsh and repetitive. The elephant's voice uses several notes as it blasts forth a trumpeting sound. ( please note that all of the animal sounds can be heard on the web).

2. Visit the Menagerie of Facts at the back of the book to find the answers to the following questions: What animal is about 18 feet tall? What animal is the size of a grape at birth? What animal has two toes on each foot to help him run? What can leap over three parked cars? What animal is a garbage collector? Why does the hoatzin smell so bad?

3. What animal did you meet for the first time while enjoying this book? Would you like to learn more about this animal? Were could you look? Do some research and tell your teacher or friend or parent all about this new acquaintance.

Questions for Junkyard Wonders

1. Patricia Polacco states that she was placed in a “special” class because of her reading difficulties; what did she mean by “special” class?

2. Describe some times when you have faced a difficult situation at school. How did you deal with the issue or problem?

3. What would you do if someone made fun of one of your classmates because he or she had a physical, emotional, or learning disability?

4. Ask your teacher if your classroom or school has a plan to address issues of bullying.

5. Go to a garage sale or find an unused item at home and create a new way of using it.  Write a story about creating your very own “junkyard wonder.”

1. Discuss the following: Why did Annie Edson Taylor want to become famous and well known? Why did people refuse to buy tickets to her talks? Why were people not interested in her story?

2. Reread the story and find out how the design of the barrel probably saved Annie's life. Look at the size of the barrel, what it was made out of and how it was outfitted on the inside.

3. Find pictures of the following online: The Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls, Cave of the Winds and Maid of the Mist. Discuss each with younger readers.

4. Older readers: undertake some research online to find out the answers to the following questions: How many cubic feet of water spills over the Falls per second? Where does the water come from? How were the Falls geologically formed? What role do the Falls play in energy?

5. How is this story different from other stories written by Chris Van Allsburg?  How is this story similar to his other books? Consider subject matter, setting, main character and illustrations.

1. Hope is not always the easiest thing to spot in life. Artist Shaun Tan uses the image of a red leaf to stand for hope in the story THE RED TREE. Study each of the illustrations and locate the red leaf embedded in every picture. Why do you think the author-illustrator made them hard to find? How do they relate to the girl's story? Have you ever been discouraged only to discover things were not as bad as you thought? Have you ever been able to turn a negative into a positive?

2. Shaun Tan's Author's Notes regarding THE LOST THING are interesting. What does he say about community?  How does Tan portray the adults in THE LOST THING?  Are they working together or talking together?  Do they notice each other? Do they smile? Why does the boy in the story decide to help the lost thing find a community? Is the boy a hero? Why or why not?

3. In THE RABBITS how do the invaders conquer the native culture?  Why did the author use rabbits to stand for the invaders? Can you answer the last sentence in this story, namely, "Who will save us from the rabbits?"

4. What is the most powerful picture in the book for you? Why? What is the funniest picture in the book for you? Why? What do you find interesting and or attractive about Shaun Tan's illustrations? Discuss elements such as color, details, humor, contrasts, backgrounds of newsprint and equations and draftsmanship. Study the ends papers as they are made up of hundreds of images from the book's illustrations.

2. Try your hand at writing a story through the eyes of a pet or favorite animal.  What things do you need to know about your animal to make the story believable?

3. Some of the children are critical of Brontorina’s size and that the fact that she doesn’t have the “right” shoes. What are the problems with their comments?

4. Tell of story of a time when you or someone you know was hurt by comments of another.  How did that make you feel and did you deal with it?  Does your school have a plan in place to deal with mean comments or bullying?  Discuss what you or others should do if you see someone being bullied by another.

Questions for A Sick Day for Amos McGee

1. Throughout the story, Amos McGee tries to help his animal friends feel good about who they are. Discuss the following questions: Why does Amos play chess with elephant and let him take so long to make a move? Why does he read to owl with a lamp beside the tree? How does he help tortoise feel good about himself?  What does he give to rhinoceros? Why does he spend so much time with penguin?

2. Discuss the following questions about friendship: Have you ever had a friend who helped you feel better about something? Have you ever helped a friend when they needed help?  How does each animal in this story help Amos on his sick day?

3. Have you ever played games in bed when you were sick? If so, what games did you play? Did anyone play with you? Did anyone read books to you? Did you play checkers, cards, play with puppets or draw pictures?

4. The artist who drew the pictures for this book put in some wonderful details. Find the following items:  a little mouse playing with a clock, a monkey in a tree, a bird holding a placard that says Hooray, a pair of bunny slippers, a pair of red socks, penguin holding elephant's trunk, a lunchbox, and a bird riding on top of a bus.

5. The balloon is very much part of the book. It appears eleven times in the pictures (not including the front and back covers). Study the pictures. Can you find the following: where does the balloon first appear, how does it get to the zoo, how does it get on the bus, where is it placed in Amos' bedroom and where does it go from there?

Questions for Mama and Me

1. Have you ever spent a summer day just “hanging out” with a parent, grandparent, or family member? What do you remember as the best part of the day?  Take a few minutes and write a short story about the day, the place, and the special time you had.

2. Has your parent or teacher ever given you directions or asked you to do something that you didn’t quite do as they intended or expected? Were you able to find your own way of doing things to get the request done?  Was it more or less work? 

3. Rudy Guteriez  created  the beautiful drawings in this book.  Use a selection of your favorite media to draw a picture.  Practice creating a scene that would be a good illustration for the story you wrote. 
The author presents his readers with some Spanish phrases. 

4. Using the resources available to you, create two more common phrases and translate them into another language. 

Questions for The Boy and the Moon

1. The little boy and his friends in this book all like to howl at the moon. Have you ever heard a dog howl? Have you ever howled? Try it: take a deep breath, open your mouth very big and let out a very long howl of a sound. How did that make you feel? Why do you think the boy and his friends like to howl?

2. Can you find all six of the little boy's friends in the first illustration?  Where is the toad? What is the chicken doing? Who is jumping the highest? What are the dog, the moon and the flower looking at in this picture? What patterns can you see in the sky?

3. After the moon gets stuck in the tree, the boy has a "bright, ripe, red thought."  What is it? How does the little boy free the moon? Do you have any other ideas as to how the little boy and his friends could have freed the moon?

4. In the final picture who do we see sleeping together? Do you think the boy is dreaming? If so, what do you think he is dreaming about?

Questions for Olivia Goes to Venice

1. There are a number of words in this story that are possibly new to children 3-7 years of age. Ask them if they know what the following words mean: gelato, gondola, palazzo and basilica. Discuss where they are found in the story and how they relate to Venice.

2. Why would Olivia not be welcome back in Venice? What did she do? Was she aware of the damage it caused? Was she aware of the fact that the figures on shore were not waving goodbye to her but rather yelling at her. Check the illustration.

3. What do you think would have been an appropriate souvenir for Olivia to get in Venice? Have you ever brought back a souvenir from a trip or vacation? Share stories about your souvenir, where it was from and why you selected it.

4. Have you or your parents ever been to Venice? Would you like to visit this Italian City? Why?

Questions for Ant and Grasshopper


1. Fairy and folktales often present readers with a lesson to be learned. What is the lesson of this tale?

2. There are hundreds of Aesop’s Tales.  Use library or internet resources to find  other Aesop’s tales that provide a important  lessons for readers and share these new stories with a friend or family member.

3. Are there things that you are expected to do that you avoid doing?  What would happen if you didn’t have to do them anymore?  Who would do that for you and how would that change your life and what you do?  Would it be a good thing or a bad thing? 

4. Try your hand at creating a new or different version of  an Aesop’s tale that could be used to teach a lesson on appreciating something we often take for granted.  

Questions for The Little Prince

1. Sfar enriches the ending of the story with the last five pages of his graphic novel:
 What is the visual story line? What happens to the pilot as he flies his plane through the night? What are the visual clues?

2. What is the significance of the next two pages where the little prince reappears to the pilot?

3. What is the significance of the final two pages that are without words?

4. Contrast and compare the storyteller/pilot in Saint-Exupery's classic to the storyteller/pilot in Sfar's graphic novel version of the story? (there is an excellent translation of the original by Richard Howard with which to make the comparison).

Questions for Auntie Tiger

1. Fairy and folktales often present readers with a lesson to be learned. What is the lesson of this tale?

2. Fairy and folktales cross all cultures.  Use library or internet resources to find “Red Riding Hood”  tales that provide a similar lesson for readers and share these new stories with a friend or family member.

3. Are there things that you are expected to do that you avoid doing?  What would happen if you didn’t have to do them anymore?  Who would do that for you and how would that change your life and what you do?  Would it be a good thing or a bad thing? 

4. Try your hand at creating a new or different version of  a folk or fairy tale that could be used to teach a lesson on appreciating something we often take for granted.  

Questions for Here Comes the Garbage Barge

1. Study the illustrator's notes on the inside of the book jacket about how he created scenes out of trash and garbage. Have you ever tried to make something out of old scrapes, trash or garbage pieces? Gather as many of the following items and try to construct an object or a scene: a broken pencil, several old paper clips, a leftover potato chip can, a bread wrapper, a piece of tin foil, a piece of wax paper, scotch tape, several 3x5 cards and some marshmallows.

2. Read the Author's Note. What fact do you find most interesting? Why? What fact do you find most surprising? Why?

3. Turn to the illustration of the garbage barge on the page that reads, " So on March 22, 1987, all 3,168 tons of garage was loaded up." Play an eye spy game and find the following items: a statue, a bird cage, a bike, a grocery cart, a football player, a hose, paper cardboard, something plastic, a tire, a ladder, a book, bubble wrap and a railroad car.

4. What would you think if someone tried to dump garbage at your house? Where should garbage and trash be placed? Do you recycle at home and at school? Do you have any ideas as to how to improve the recycling process? Why is recycling important?

Questions for Mirror

1. Do a search for Morocco, North Africa and Sidney, Australia.  What are the similarities and differences between these two countries? Does Mirror highlight those differences correctly?

2. If you were to describe and sum up the differences, what would be the most important points you would make?

3. Research other two other countries and examine the similarities and differences.  What story would you  create to illustrate these two countries?

4. Mirror is a wordless picture book.  Using your own words, make up a story to fit the pictures and share it with a friend.

Questions for See What I See

1. In this book Kate has three wonderful friends, namely, Justin, Lila and Thomas. What role does each of these friends play in Kate's life? Have you ever had a close friend upon whom you counted? Discuss.

2. The title of this book is SEE WHAT I SEE. What is the significance of this title? Also, what is the difference between looking and seeing?

3. Discuss Dalton Quinn's answer to his daughter's statement about the absence of pity in his paintings found on pages 171 and 172. Why did he choose the life of an artist over the life of a father? Although many artists can and do play both roles at the same time, why do you think Dalton Quinn could not play both of these roles concurrently?

Questions for Lift Every Voice and Sing

1. The author the lyrics of a famous song as the basis for this book.  Discuss how this is an effective way to tell this story and why?

2. The illustrator makes a point of capturing the images of the faces of children to tell this story.  What image has the most meaning to you and why?

3. What new information did you learn from this story?

4. The author provides some information about the song writer, James Weldon Johnson.  Using available resources, research more information about the writer and key events and create a time line that will provide more information about key figures for the time period.

Questions for SHOE- LA-LA

1. Where do you think the girls found the materials with which to decorate their shoes? Study the illustrations and see if you can spy potential sources of beads bows, lace, feathers and etc. in the rooms and on clothing.

2. The phrase ooh la la is originally a French interjection that was used when there was a feeling of surprise. Do some research online and discover how this expression is used today. Can you think of other expressions you use or you have heard used that stand for a positive emotional response to something?

3. Do you feel sorry for the very nice salesman in this book? How could the four girls have helped him more?

4. The girls each have names but they are not identified by name. To which girl would you assign each name? Why?

5. Have you ever made something new out of something old? The girls in this story made new party shoes out of their old everyday shoes. Activity: take a pair of very old shoes or an old book bag or headband or lunch box and find materials around the house with which to decorate. With approval from your parents or grandparents go ahead and be creative.

Testing the Ice: A True Story about Jackie Robinson

1. Research more information about Jackie Robinson and his importance to baseball. What did the author mean when she talked of “breaking the color barrier”?

2. Based on your research, create a timeline of events in the life of Jackie Robinson.

3. What other sports were limited by a “color barrier”?

4. Can you describe a time when you were limited or not allowed to do something because of something beyond your control (like being too young or too small)? How did that make you feel? Tell your story of that time or event.

5. Describe a time when you or someone you know behaved in a courageous way.

Questions for William Shakespeare

1. Study the vocabulary list called Shakespearian Speak that is inside the envelope on the title page. How many of the 83 words do you know? Find at least 10 unfamiliar words in the text o this book. Study their definitions and understand how they are each used within a sentence.

2. Shakespeare was naturally left-handed but the practice of the day was to force children to use the right hand. What do you imagine was the result of this forced use of the right hand? Do you think being left handed caused his poor execution of motor skills needed to be a successful glove-maker? This is discussed in the "Learning, Leisure and Labor" section. How did Shakespeare's knowledge of Latin grammar help him to find useful employment?

3. Study Shakespeare's Family Tree in the "Husband, Wives and Family Ties" section. From the family tree what can you tell happened to Shakespeare's only son and when? How could this impact the family legally, socially and emotionally?

4. Discussion Topic: Would the rules of conduct at the theatre laid out in the Guide to Young Playgoers located in the "A Place for Plays" section be valid today? Which ones would stand the test of time? Which ones would need to be altered or dropped?

5. "The London Life and Roguish Strife" section calls London " one of the greatest of cities, so therefore she is the greatest nursery of thieves and rogues". What does this mean? Study the illustrative chart of these ruffians and con men. Can you copy the body stance, posture, facial expression and body shape of each of them? Try it after you read the description of each. Which ruffian/ con man tableau do you think you were closest to matching?

Questions for Tony Baloney

1. Have you ever misbehaved and then had to say “I’m sorry” to someone? Take a few minutes and write a short story about the day, the place, and the actions that required an apology.

2. Parents and teachers often help children understand the importance of an apology.  How did the person react when he/she received your apology?

3. What do you think is most important to remember about the words, “I’m sorry?”

4. Are there other ways to apologize without saying the words?  Discuss what you might do.

Questions for Odetta

1. The poem/text refers to Odetta as a little girl with "a birdcage in her mouth". What is this a symbol of in relation to Odetta's talent? What does the cage stand for in this example? What does the bird stand for here?

2. What did Odetta call her Guitar? Why?

3. What great singer was Odetta's role model and hero? How does the artist depict this hero in the illustration?

3. In the South when Odetta was a small girl there were ugly laws passed to keep people separated. They were called by the name of Jim Crow. The artist shows some of these laws in his illustrations. Can you find an example of Jim Crow in the book? Look at the illustrations of the drinking fountain and of the family being removed from a particular train car.

Questions for Eight Days: A Story of Haiti

1. Look up the work “earthquake.”   What does it mean?

2. How does an earthquake happen and what causes it?

3. There are many different disasters that are faced in the world: forest fires, earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, tornados, and volcanoes.  Research how, where, and why these events occur. 
Create your own collage or diorama of one of these events and make up a narrative to tell its story.
 What can we do as good citizens to help others in the world who face these types of natural disasters?
 
4. Are there members of your community who need help? As your parents, friends, and teachers for ideas on what you can do to help others in need.