Questions for Footwork

1. The author has included a list of sources in the back of this book where you can find CD’s, DVD’s and films starring Fred Astaire. Try to find such movies as TOP HAT with Ginger Rodgers, FUNNY FACE with Audrey Hepburn. Take a look at him in action. Why do you think so many dancers say he was great? What do you like about his dancing?
2. Have you ever taken dancing lessons? If yes, what kind of dancing was/is it-----tap dancing, ballet, ballroom, Irish or other? If no, would you like to take dancing lessons? Why?
3. Fred and Adele Astaire danced together for nearly 30 years! Can you think of any other brother sister acts/collaborations? Why did they work so well together? Look back through the story for evidence. Have you ever worked on a project with one of your siblings? Please share.
4. How does what Fred Astaire does in the story explain his quote on the last page that states , “ Hard work is great fun.” What does that mean to you?

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 other tales that provide a similar lesson for readers and share these new stories with a friend or family member.
3. Are there day to day things that you are expected to do such as brushing your teeth, feeding yourself,  or picking up your toys?  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 story that could be used to teach a lesson on appreciating something we often take for granted such as the day to day things that someone does for you or you do for others.
   

1. At the back of the book author Gloria Whelan has placed a list of 18 words/phrases to help you with your understanding of the story and the culture-----some are pieces of clothing, some are people’s names, some are names of food, other are celebrations and social rankings. Read them all aloud and then find them in the text in order to make sure you understand how they are used in the context of the story.
2. Discuss the following contrasts that appear in this story with your parents, grandparents or teachers: the light of knowledge versus the darkness of ignorance; the Brahmin caste versus the untouchables; the difference between the way Andal thinks and the way his Grandmother thinks; and Kumar’s educational expectations versus his sister’s educational expectations.
3. Kumar and his family enjoy such food as dal (a puree or smooth mixture of lentils with spices), chapati (unleavened flat bread), malpaus (deep fried pancake balls flavored with coconuts and bananas) and mango pickle. What foods do you eat that are somewhat like these foods?
4. Research the life of Mohandas Ghandi, the father of modern India, and answer the following questions: who was he, when did he live, what did he stand for and how does what he did relate to this story?

1. Have you ever felt like hiding when people are around? Have you ever felt uncomfortable speaking in a group? Do you prefer to let others lead the group and make the rules? If so, please discuss your feelings with a teacher, parent or grandparent and / or write your feelings down in a notebook so you can better understand them.
   
   
2. Do you know a classmate or a friend who is shy? How can you tell? What can you do to make that classmate or friend feel more comfortable in school or on the playground? Make a list of ways you can help such as:  inviting them into the game, staying by their side during certain activities, giving them confidence by encouraging them to participate in the activity and then giving them positive feedback and comments regarding their contribution to the group effort.
   
   
3.  In this story the two girls are best friends. They have things in common and they have things not in common. Who is your best friend? How are you and your friend alike and how are you and your friend different? What activities do you and your friend enjoy?

Questions for Nasreddine

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 other tales that provide a similar lesson for readers and share these new stories with a friend or family member.
   
   
3. What would you do if you were criticized by a stranger? 
   
   
4. Try your hand at creating a new story that could be used to teach a lesson on appreciating something we often take for granted.
   
   

1. The cover of The Bird King was originally a poster designed for a children’s art award. Study the many details of this scene. The full picture can be found inside the book. What would you say it is about? What is the action of the scene? Where is there evidence of humor and satire? What detail do you find most endearing? What detail do you find most troublesome? Share your ideas with parents, grandparents, teachers or friends who also have enjoyed the books of Shaun Tan.
2. On pages 58 and 59 Tan includes his pictograph of a sea alphabet called “ language of the sea”. Study the picture. It is highly imaginative. Do you see any connections between the figures? Use your own imagination and attach words to each figure based on how Tan’s figure looks and how your word sounds or what it means.
3. Tan often tells stores about loneliness and alienation. What image in this notebook best shows this as far as you are concerned? Why? Don’t hesitate to look at the entire book from which this image comes. The Arrival, Lost and Found: Three by Shaun Tan and Tales from Outer Suburbia are all available at most libraries.

1. Have you ever studies snakes—particularly pythons?  Look up additional information on the climate and regions where pythons live. 
2. The author presents his readers with some interesting information about pythons.  He states that the Florida Everglades now has pythons.   Using the resources available to you, research what is happening as a result of pythons in the Everglades.
3. Using the resources available, create a story about another type of snake or reptile and share it with your class.

1. Artists Nic Frankenhuyzen’s pictures are very expressive. Which illustration do you particularly like? Why?  Could you write a caption for your selected picture that would express what the picture is saying to you? Try it. There is no right or wrong response.
2. Moon Bears get their name from the yellow crescent that is on their chest. To see the rescued moon bears walking about the Animal Asia sanctuary go to the Sleeping Bear website. There you will see Jasper playing with his friend named Banjo along with the other rescued bears as they roll and tumble with each other. Author Jill Robinson, founder of Animals Asia and this sanctuary, also talks about the bears’ routines.
3. Moon Bears, Asian Black bears, are a little smaller than American Black bears but seem to like to eat some of the same things---- berries, honey, grass, bees, insects, grubs, mushrooms, cherries and garbage. With this in mind, try drawing a picture of an imaginary Moon Bear picnic.
4. With the help of a teacher, parent or grandparent look at a map of the world and find some of the countries where Moon Bears can be found: South Korea, China, Viet Nam, Russia and India.

Questions for Island

1. Study the map of the Galapagos located on the back end papers of this book. Can you find the 15 largest islands? Which islands are north of the equator and which are south? Which island is the largest? What three countries are geographically the closest to the Galapagos? What indication do you see on this map that other islands in this grouping have, over millions of years, erupted from the hot spot in the ocean, appeared above the water, cooled off, began to sink and then disappeared under the water?
2. Review the species gallery of drawings located on the front end papers. Twenty-five of these birds, insects, reptiles, mammals and plants are found only in the Galapagos---they are endemic species. Study pictures of ten of these twenty-five and draw your own picture gallery.
3. The Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos and the Galapagos National Park says,” The word galapago in Spanish means saddle and refers to the shell of these huge reptiles.”  The islands were thusly named Galapagos because of the presence of giant tortoises with saddle-shaped shells.  Thousands of these tortoises once lived on these islands but only 15,000 exist in the Galapagos Islands today according to the Foundation. Conduct some research on the giant saddleback tortoise and the giant domed shell tortoise and find out how they each adapted to their environment. Use online sources and library sources.

Questions for The Matchbox Diary

1. Have you ever spent a 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 told you a story about their own childhood?  What are some of the things that similar or different from what you do today? 
3. Bagram Ibatoulline  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. 
4. The author presents his readers with a story about family memories.  Interview a family member or friend about what they remember best about their own childhood or that of their parents or grandparents. 

Questions for Miss Moore Thought Otherwise

1. Study the picture of Miss Moore sitting at a circular table with five children in the Children’s Room at the new library on Fifth Avenue and answer the following questions: What is Miss Moore doing?  What are the names of the four books displayed on the top shelf? What is the name of the marionette also displayed on the top shelf? Why is there a picture of a tall ship on the wall? Is there a window in this room? How can you tell? How does this picture make you feel? Why?
2. Look at the pledge Miss Moore wrote for the children to say before they could take a book home. Do you think this was a good pledge? Why did she do this? Have you ever recited a pledge? Write a pledge for you and your friends to follow regarding one of the following things:  homework, honesty, chores or friendship.
3. Think about the children’s room at the library at your school or in your community. Draw a picture of it as the artist did in this book. Include the furniture, the shelves, the books and computers. Are there any pictures on the wall or designs in the floor or ceiling? Are there any windows, plants or goldfish? Are there any puppets? Does it have a stage or storytelling circle?

Questions for Noah Webster and his Words

1. Have you ever used a dictionary?  Using resources available, look up the spelling and definitions for five new words and share them with your friends and family.  Choose words that are entirely new to you and try using them in a phase or sentence.
2. Has your parent or teacher ever used a work you didn’t know?  How did you respond? 
3. Using computer resources, look up the different books written by Noah Webster.  Are any of them still available in your school library?
4. The author  states that Webster’s dictionary is the second most popular book ever published in English.  What does the author say is the most popular book ever published? 

Questions for THE ODYSSEY

1. Study the family portrait, the first color picture of the book. How do we know that Ithaca is a land of plenty at this time? What do the people eat? How do we know that Odysseus is going away? How do we know he is going to war? Who is the baby? Contrast this portrait with the final portrait at the back of the book some twenty years later. How is this picture different from the earlier picture and how is it alike? What is missing from this final picture?
2. Circe warns Odysseus that when he passes by the Sirens not to listen to their song as everyone who is tempted stays forever and he and his men will never return home. Study the picture and the text. How does Odysseus make sure his men will not hear the song of the Sirens? How does Odysseus make sure he will hear the call of the Sirens but not be tempted by it? Why do most of the men have their eyes closed? How does the artist show the song floating into the ship?
3. Odysseus is strong and brave but most of all clever. Can you remember where in the story wily Odysseus prevailed? Why does Odysseus tell the Cyclops his name is Noe Boddy? How does he trick the suitors he finds in his home on his return to Ithaca? Have you ever played a trick on someone in order to get your way or to win a point in an argument?

Questions and Activities for Diego Rivera

1. Have you ever thought about creating something new?  Take a few minutes and write a short story about a time when you painted a picture, made something special, or imagined doing something special. 
   
   
2. 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 the story you wrote. 
   
   
3. The author presents his readers with some information about the artist, Diego Rivera.  Using the references available, find out more about both the artist and his paintings.  What other information did you learn through your research? 

Questions for THIS IS NOT MY HAT

Compare Jon Klassen’s book I WANT MY HAT BACK with his THIS IS NOT MY HAT(the first book is available at the library).  Who looses a hat in the first book? Who looses a hat in the second book? Who is the storyteller in the first book? Who is the storyteller in the second book? Where does the story take place in the first book and where does the story take place I the second book? How are the stories alike and how are the stories different?

Study the illustrations of the big fish in THIS IS NOT MY HAT. How does the artist show the reader that the big fish is asleep and then is awake and then misses his hat?

What is the role of the little sea crab?  What is the role of the seaweeds and plants? What is the role of the bubbles?

The theme of this book is that it is not right to take something that belongs to someone else.  The little fish knows it is wrong. Why does the little fish say he intends to keep the big fish’s hat?  By what other means could the little fish have acquired a hat for himself? Could he have looked for an abandoned hat in the water? Could he have built himself a hat out of seaweed and plants?

QUESTIONS FOR AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL: Together We Stand

The author of the words to the song America The Beautiful, Katherine Lee Bates, was inspired by what she saw when she travelled from Massachusetts to Colorado in I893. She was thirty- three years old and wanted to celebrate what she saw: spacious skies, amber waves of grain, purple mountain majesties and fruited plains. Try drawing a picture with crayons and markers of these beautiful blue skies, fields of wheat waving in the wind, huge mountains and groves of fruit trees.

Study the tableau of children arranged as a flag on the cover of the book.  Do you like this picture? Why? How is each of the children different? What do they all have in common in the picture? Play the following I spy game by finding: a boy who is dancing, two children who are shaking hands, a girl who is wearing a headband with a star on it, a girl who is wearing a black headband, a girl who is wearing white socks and red shoes, a girl who is reaching for a star, a girl who has a black ponytail, a boy who is wearing an all red shirt and two children standing pigeon-toed.

Study the wonderful pictures in this book and the presidential quotes that accompany them. Select one picture and think about how the quote relates to it. Share your findings and ideas.

Questions and Activities for The Granddaughter Necklace

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 told you a story about their own childhood?  What are some of the things that similar or different from what you do today? 
   
   
3. Bagram Ibatoulline  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. 
   
   
4. The author presents her readers with some research she has done about her own ancestry.  Interview a family member or friend about what they remember best about their own childhood or that of their parents or grandparents. 

Questions for TREASURY OF GREEK MYTHOLOGY: Classic Stories  of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes and Monsters

Study the List of Characters included at the back of this book. Find the following symbols connected to each God and Goddess. Identify which God or Goddess they belong to:

Winged sandal
A peacock
Thunderbolt
Cow
Grape vines
Owl
Lyre
Dove
Bow and arrow
Crescent moon
Chariot of fire
Trident

Read one of these twelve stories and find out why and how the above symbol is connected to this particular God or Goddess. Do you have a symbol that would connect to your life?  If not, think of one. What would it be and why? Please discuss.

There are a great number of monsters in these myths. Which ones do you think are the most imaginative or menacing or unbelievable and why? Be sure to look at Typhon with 100 heads, Argus with 100 eyes,  the Hydra with nine heads, Cerberus the three headed hound and the Minotaur. Look at the illustrator’s pictures of these monsters. Then draw a picture of one of them----embellish the picture in any way your own creativity suggests.

Myths were used to explain things in the real world. Read the story of Demeter and see how this myth explains the seasons.

Activities for The Poet Upstairs

1. The author uses the imagery of a river to illustrate a narrative journey.  Discuss how this is an effective way to tell this story and why?
   
   
2. The illustrator makes a point of capturing both the images of the apartment building and the imaginary journey 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 writing process.  Try your own hand at creating some images of places known or unknown and work to create a poem that you can share with others.

1. Have you ever you heard the stories about Santa and his sleigh pulled by eight reindeer?  Draw a picture of Santa and his sleigh and his bag of toys.
2. What do you know about sleighs?  Using resources available to you, research more information about sleighs and report out what you find.
3. The author presents readers with an interesting twist to this story.  What other animals do you think would be strong enough to pull a sleigh across the snow?
4. Many cultures celebrate the stories of Santa Claus, but sometimes he is called by other names.  Using the resources available to you, research some of the other cultural representations of Santa Clause and the stories of that culture.  Share your findings with friends and family.

Questions for UNSPOKEN

There are three illustrations that show the Big Dipper in the sky. As the illustrator says in the back of the book, if runaways could find the North Star, always near the Big Dipper, they would know what direction to go in order to go North to freedom. Slaves called the Big Dipper the drinking gourd. Can you find the three pictures in which the Big Dipper is shown? Have you ever seen the Big Dipper in the night sky? It looks like a water dipper with a long handle. The two outer stars of the cup of the Big Dipper point to Polaris, the North Star.

When looking at this wordless book the reader needs to pay attention to the facial expressions. What is the little girl thinking when she is on the porch where she has dropped the basket full of potatoes? What is she thinking at the dinner table when everyone else is eating? What does her face say as she is going to the barn in the night with a biscuit wrapped in a napkin? What does she think when she first sees the corn husk doll? What is she thinking when she is in bed looking out the window at the Big Dipper?

On the back cover of the book a question is posed: What would you do if you had the chance to help a person find freedom? What would YOU do? What does the little girl do? Is she courageous? Why?

Questions for SMUDGE AND THE BOOK OF MISTAKES: A Christmas Story

At the beginning of this story Smudge says, “ If you do something badly why do it over again?”  How would you answer him? Have you ever had to work at something over and over again before you were able to accomplish it? What gave you the motivation to keep trying? In this story, who helps Smudge conquer his attitude of defeatism? In your opinion is Smudge suffering from a poor self esteem or is he just lazy?

Illuminated manuscripts usually have fancy lettering, a large initial at the beginning of each page, decorative borders and margins, intricate designs, a gilding of gold flecks and biblical scenes. Have you ever seen an illuminated manuscript?  How are Stephen Costanza’s illustrations very much like an illuminated manuscript? What is your favorite illustrated page? Why?

Smudge’s favorite letters in this story are H, W, M and X. Do you have a favorite letter in the alphabet due to its shape? Try drawing a whole page of your favorite letter making each example more and more fancy. Add flowers, symbols, bees, leaves, scrolls, feathers and other decorative details.

Questions and Activities for The Christmas Tugboat

1. Have you ever spent time 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. What do you know about tugboats?  Using resources available to you, research more information about tugboats and report out what you find.
   
   
3. The authors present readers with some interesting information about the tradition surrounding the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.  What other cities have tree lighting traditions?  What is the purpose of such a tradition?  Does your family have certain traditions or ways that they celebrate holidays or birthdays?  Write a short story about one such family tradition.

Questions and Activities for THE FANTASTIC JUNGLES OF HENRI ROUSSEAU

At the back of the book the artist has included pen and ink drawings of two parties given in Rousseau’s honor that appear in full color in the story. Famous people in these pictures are identified. Study these drawings and compare them to the colorful illustrations. Then do some research (ask your teacher, parents or librarian for help if needed) by selecting one of Rousseau’s   famous friends and learning more about him or her. Share your findings with your family, teacher, classmates or other friends.

At the back of the book the author has included biographical notes on Rousseau and says that he  “was the first   naïve artist to be recognized as a great master.” She explains that the term naïve in art means simple or childlike in style. Study the end papers and the cover of this book to find childlike qualities in the pictures.  Please note the gaze of the animals, the unlikely proportions of the flowers, the super brightness of the colors and the unlikely combinations of certain items such as the placement of a red couch in the middle of the jungle.

Compare the illustration of a gypsy sleeping on the ground with a lion looking on by Amanda Hall to Rousseau’s 1897 painting entitled The Sleeping Gypsy.  How are they different and how are they alike?  This painting can be seen at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Questions and Activities for Bedtime is Canceled

What would you do if bedtime was canceled?

Do some research about the importance of sleep and share your new information with family and friends.

If you could print anything special headline for a newspaper, what would it be and why would you want to have it printed?

Do some research about what reporters and newscasters do to get the news that they share with the public.  Invite a reporter to come to your class to talk about his or her job as a reporter.

Questions for Maestro Stu Saves the Zoo

1. The author uses a young boy and zoo animals to tell this story.  Why do you think this is an important perspective?

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. The author describes the animal sounds a musical.  Using the internet, listen to the various sounds that animals make and think about how the sounds might be combined to seem musical. 

Mr. Cooper’s actions would have been hurtful to the animals in the zoo if he had been able to buy the zoo and then tear it down. Tell a story of a time when you or someone you know was hurt by the actions of another.  How did that make you feel and how did you deal with it? 

Questions for MOOSE ON THE LOOSE

One of Bendall-Brunello’s illustrations shows the little boy reading a story to moose. How can you tell by this picture that moose likes to hear stories? Is the boy an expressive storyteller? How can you tell? Does it look like the moose wants to see the pictures, too?  Do you like to hear stories read a loud? Who reads stories to you? Have you ever tried to read a story to a younger brother or sister or to your parents?

The little boy in this story reads a book to the moose, tries to cook with the moose, he dances with the moose, shares his toys with the moose and gives the moose a bath. What else would you do if a moose was on the loose and visited your house? Think about all the rooms in your house and what you and the moose could possibly do.

This story is funny because it is unlikely that a moose would be brought into the house. What other animals would be very hard to bring into the house? What animals are commonly brought in the house? Do you have an animal/pet in your house?

Which picture is your favorite? Please share your reasons? My favorite is the picture of the moose in the attic getting ready for his departure because it is so full of details. Try to find all of the following details in this picture: a duck, a white hat, a jack in the box, a coffee pot, a bear, a tennis racket, a television set, a beach ball, a fork, a wand, an elephant and a “fly moose” sign.

Questions for JANGLES

The fish says he is “a storyteller, and a story.” What does this mean? How is the fish a story? How is the fish a storyteller?

The little boy who has this adventure with the talking fish says the fish had a voice that was “so low and soothing.” Who is your favorite storyteller? Think about family members, teachers and storytellers heard on film, television and other media. Can you describe your favorite storyteller’s voice? How does this voice keep your attention?

How is JANGLES a story in a story in a story? Think this through by tracing the fact that the little boy tells the reader of the book a story that was told to him by his father who in turn was told stories by the talking fish!

Why did the boy let Jangles go free? Did he do the right thing? Did the ending of this book surprise you? How does the final illustration of the opened tackle box relate to the big fish story expression about “ the one that got away?”

Look at David Shannon’s double page illustration of the boy all alone in the middle of the lake as darkness surrounds his wooden boat. How does this picture make you feel?

Questions and Activities for NightSong

    1. How would you describe a bat?

    2. Do some research about bats and write a “scientific” review about how bats “see” when it is dark         outside.

    3. What aspect of bats and creatures of the night did you find most fascinating?

    4. Do some research and draw a picture of what you might see in a bat cave.

    5. Create a diorama for this story.

    6. How would you tell a story about a bat or other night creature?

Questions for ELECTRIC BEN

The diorama under the Liberty and Justice for All banner at the end of this book is full of pictures of the stories from Franklin’s life. Can you spot the following images of Franklin:

Ben as a child
Ben as a printer
Ben as a kite-flying enthusiast
Ben as a scientist and natural philosopher
Ben as a statesman to England
Ben as a diplomat to Paris
Ben as a Founding Father

Try to track Franklin’s inventions throughout the book starting with the water fins he invented at the age of ten. Which of his inventions interested you the most? Why? Have you ever has an idea for an invention? Please share. From where do you think ideas are generated? Why do you think Franklin had so many ideas? What does looking and seeing have to do with it?

Select one of the following topics, due some research and write a two- page report. Use the bibliography in the back of the book, the school or public library and sources online.

Poor Richard’s Almanac
The lightning rod
The electrical condenser
The Franklin Stove or the Pennsylvania Fireplace
The Armonica
Double eye spectacles (bifocals)
The Pennsylvania Gazette
The Library Company of Philadelphia
The Pennsylvania Society for the Abolition of Slavery

Questions and Activities Monet Paint a Day

1. Have you ever thought about creating something new?  Take a few minutes and write a short story about a time when you painted a picture, made something special, or imagined doing something special. 
2. Have you ever had a favorite toy or gift that was lost or broken?  How did you feel when it happened? 
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 the story you wrote. 
4. The author presents his readers with some information about the artist, Claude Monet.  Using the references available, find out more about both the artist and his paintings.  What other information did you learn through your research? 

Questions for The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

The story of The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore was the inspiration for the 2011 Academy Award winning animated short film by the same name. You can go on the web and watch this film. Ask for the help of a parent, grandparent or teacher, if necessary. How different is this short film from the printed picture book?

Study the first illustration of the library’s “ mysterious and inviting room” and find the following items: three globes, a bust of Shakespeare, at least twenty books with tiny legs and feet, at least ten flying books, a straw hat, a cane and six bookshelves. How does this library compare to the library at your school or in your hometown?

As the text says Morris wrote his own book full of all of “his joys and sorrows, all that he knew and everything he hoped for.” Have you every written a story about your joys, sorrows and hopes? Share your ideas for a personal story with a parent, friend or teacher. Try to write your story in a notebook and illustrate it.

Questions for THE FURTHER TALE OF PETER RABBIT

Emma Thompson dedicated this book to Peter. She calls him a childhood friend, a legend and a rabbit. Do you have a favorite book character that you would call your childhood friend? What book character do you think you will remember your whole life? Why?

Listen to the author’s accompanying CD as you follow the story in the book. How does Emma Thompson’s voice enhance the pictures?

Look through the illustrations and find the following images: bagpipes, a kilt, a walking stick, a plaid sash, a sword, a pair of lost shoes, a watering can, a mouse, a basket of berries and flowers in the shape of bluebells.

Questions for Excuse me, I’m trying to read

The author uses safari animals to help tell this story.  Why do you think this is an important perspective?

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

The young girl is frustrated by the distractions from the animals.  How does she let us know that she is frustrated?

Tell of story of a time when you or someone you know was either distracted or frustrated by a situation.  How did that make you feel and how did you deal with it? 

Questions for ROCKET WRITES A STORY

Rocket loves to read and loves words. His teacher tells him to go outside and collect words and then bring them back for the word-tree. How many words can you find in your backyard? Try to find fifteen words and bring them inside and write them down on 4x6 cards. Make sure you know what they mean and how to spell them. Older brothers and sisters, parents, grandparents and teachers can assist if necessary. Try drawing a picture of the word on the card just like Rocket did.

Have you ever constructed a word tree? Perhaps your word tree could be arranged on a bush or a low tree. Perhaps the word tree could be arranged in a tree shape on the kitchen table. Or, perhaps you could arrange a word tree on the refrigerator.

Could you make up a story using some of the words on your word tree? Try it! It does not have to be a long story. As little bird said, write about something that has happened to you, that you enjoy or that inspires you.

Questions for The House that George Built

In the classroom each child can be assigned one piece of the accumulative material to read aloud as part of a group read. The voices keep adding as do the lines. In other words, when the child enters the rhyme that child is in it until the entire poem is complete. There are many ways to arrange such a reading but children usually like to hear the poem take on more and more volume as it grows. The teacher will have to work on the beats so that unison work is spoken on the same beat and with the same intensity. Families can also do this activity.

For reading comprehension ask the child to look at the Author’s Notes and The Changing President’s House at the back of the book and find out the answers to the following questions: When did John Adams move into this house? When was the President’s House officially named the White House? What future President submitted a design for the house under the fake name of AZ? Who was the first President to own an automobile and change the horse stables into a four-car garage? Who designed a library on the second floor of the President’s House? What President and First Lady planted a vegetable garden on the White House grounds?

Why do you think it took so long (over eight years) to build the President’s House? What problems does the backstory reveal?

Have you taken a live tour of the White House? If not, try a virtual tour. The author lists a number of interesting websites at the back of the book.

Questions and Activities for Junonia

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. Have you ever had certain expectations or hoped that some event would work out a particular way and it didn’t end up quite  as you  intended or expected?  How did you feel?  Were you able to find joy in the new event or outcome?  Spend some time reflecting on the event and write about what was good about the change.
3. The author presents her readers with some interesting types of shells found at the beach.  Using the resources available to you, look up some of the shells illustrated in the book—fan scallop, shark’s eye, conch, lace murex, or junonia.   Choose one that you find most interesting and share what you have learned with a friend or family member.

Questions for MARTIN de PORRES: the Rose in the Desert

How does the illustrator show that Martin is very much loved by animals? Can you find a dog running by his side, mice playing in his hands, birds watching him plant lemon tree seeds, hens gathered around him and a horse rubbing up against his cheek?

This story is very much one of prejudice, inequality, hope, courage, charity and love .Who called Martin a strange boy? Who called him the rose of the desert?  Who called him Martin? Who called him a mongrel? Who called him a son of a slave? Study the story again to find the answers to these questions.

Gary Schmidt’s Notes at the back of the book tell the reader that Martin de Porres became “the patron saint of interracial relations, social justice, those of mixed race, public education and animal shelters”. How does what Martin is shown doing in the book relate to being identified in these ways?

3. The author makes a point of capturing the emotion that is felt when Ted Williams hit his homeruns. Do you have a favorite player who is success on the field?  Describe how you feel when your favorite player does well or you favorite team wins.  How do you feel when one or both are not successful? 

4. Which illustration is your favorite and why?

5. Research other books that reflect a theme of sports and share your favorites with your friends.

6. Using all of the information you have gathered, try your hand at writing a brief biography about one of your favorite players.

Questions for PLUTO VISITS EARTH

As the author states in the notes at the back of the book an eleven-year-old girl in England in 1930 suggested that the planet just discovered be named Pluto. Pluto is the Roman God of the Underworld. Her suggestion was adopted in celebration of the scientist Percival Lowell, the man who first predicted that this small planet would someday be discovered, because his initials were PL. What would you have suggested as a name for this planet? Discuss and share.

Study the illustration of the planets on the last page of this book. They are drawn in scale to the Earth’s sun. Do some research with the assistance of a parent or teacher if necessary and give each planet a name on the basis of your information. Which one would you like to visit, if that were possible, and why?

Do you think it was fair or sensible to reclassify Pluto as a dwarf planet? How many moons does it have? What is the size of Pluto in relation to its moons? What were the scientific reasons for this reclassification? Study the text and the notes at the back of the book for clues with which to answer these questions.

Why was a small child able to make Pluto feel better? What would you have said to Pluto to make him feel better? Have you ever felt sad about yourself? Who has been able to make you feel better? Have you ever had the opportunity to make a friend fell better about herself/himself? Please share and discuss.

Questions for This is the Game

1. The author uses lyrical poetry to describe elements of baseball.  Which poetic image is your favorite and why?

2. If you play baseball or any other sport, list some of the terms and rulew of the game.  Choose one of those terms or rules and try your hand at creating a poem to describe them.

3. The author makes a point of capturing the images that are part of the game.  Try to describe an aspect of the game of baseball or of another favorite sports that would help a reader to better understand an important part of the playing the game.

4. Which illustration is your favorite and why?

5. Research other books that reflect a theme of sports and share your favorites with your friends.

Questions for A GOLD STAR FOR ZOG

Play an “I spy” game while looking at the first picture of Madame Dragon’s class. Find the following: a dragon who is mad and does not want to be there, a dragon who is eager to win a gold star, a dragon who is trying to eat an insect, two gold stars, a mouse, a squirrel, a black bird, a toadstool, an ant and a caterpillar.

Study the rhymed text and find out the following information: How did Zog win a gold star? Why does Sir Gadabout come to the forest? Why does Princess Pearl want to leave the life of a princess behind? How does Princess Pearl cure Zog’s sore throat? How did Zog come to crash into a tree? What career did Zog finally choose?

Have you ever won a gold star, silver medal, first prize ribbon or a happy face sticker? If so, what did you do to earn it?  If not, would you like to win a gold star? How would you go about winning such an award? Please discuss your ideas and be sure to talk about the things Zog did in the story such as listen to the teacher, follow directions, try very hard to accomplish each task, never get discouraged and be kind to friends.

Questions for A Beach Tail

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 experience 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 way back” to the original request and get it done? Was it more or less work?

3. Floyd Cooper used pastels, or artist’s chalk, to create the beautiful drawings in this book. Use a selection of colorful chalk and draw a picture. Practice creating an outdoor scene that would be a good illustration for the story you wrote. Do you like using pastls?

4. The author presents her readers with some interesting beach inhabitants. Using the resources available to you, look up the following: jellyfish, horseshoe crab, ghost crab hole, sea lion, and dolphin. Choose one that you find most interesting and share what you have learned with a friend or family member.

Questions and activities for BARNUM’S BONES

In the story it is clear that Barnum Brown began collecting fossils at a very young age. Have you ever enjoyed collecting?  Think about the things you can collect from nature such as leaves, rocks and seashells. Think also about things you can collect that are man made such as stamps, coins and baseball cards. Please share your collecting experiences.

Since Barnum Brown’s discovery of the bones of a T.Rex there have been numerous other such discoveries. Have you ever heard of any of the following Tyrannosaurus Rex skeletons: Stan, Black Beauty, Wankel Rex, Sue, Peck’s Rex, Bucky and Jane? Do some research with the help, if necessary, of a teacher, parent or grand parent. Which dinosaur is on  public display closest to you?

Can you answer the following questions about this paleontologist: Why did his parents name him Barnum?  Why did he where a suit and tie and bowler hat and beaver coat when digging for bones? What other things did Barnum collect besides bones? Why was Barnum so good at finding fossils? (What other things did he do that helped him locate places to dig).What is your favorite illustration and why?

Questions and Activities for The Little Bully

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 of not being a bully or bullying others.  Have you ever seen someone being a bully?
   
   
3. What do you think is most important to remember about this story?
   
   
4. Are there other ways to apologize without saying the words?  Discuss what you might do.

Questions for LAUNDRY DAY

Look at the Laundry List of words (Italian, Polish, Yiddish, Jamaican, Chinese and Ukrainian) at the back of the book. Try to pronounce each of the seven non-English words by following the phonetic spelling shown in parenthesis next to each word. Then go back to the story and see how each word was integrated in a sentence. Next, try to write your own sentences using each word. Share your sentences aloud with your parents, grandparents, teacher or classmates.

What were the kind acts the boy performed for each person he visited? Review the story. Study the pictures as well as the words. For instance, what did he do for the three little Polish girls? Answer: he played with them.

In the beginning of the book the little boy could not find anyone who wanted him to shine his/ her shoes. However, by the final illustration of this book he has a number of customers lined up to have their shoes shined. Why do you think this was? What was different about the little boy? Discuss his new piece of apparel and his new standing in the community by studying the final picture.

Younger children can play an eye spy game by finding these items in the  first double page spread of the busy street: a cat, a rug seller, a policeman, a man wearing an apron, a flower pot, three shopping baskets, a woman waving, a sign with a boot on it,  at least two barrels and a horse wearing blinders.

Questions for HOUSE HELD UP BY TREES

Why did the children love playing in and amongst the trees on the neighboring lot? What did they hear there? What animals do you think lived there? What birdsong do you imagine they enjoyed? Have you ever had a secret hiding place in and around the trees? Please discuss.

The story tells us there were five types of trees located near the children’s house-----maple, elm, ash, hackberry and cottonwood. Study the beautiful illustrations of the trees where the children played. Do some research with the aid of a parent or a teacher if necessary and find a picture and description of each of these trees. Use this information to draw your own illustration of the children’s favorite spot.

In this story what is the significance of the following elements: the seeds, the wind, the lawn mower, time, the tree roots and the tree limbs? What role does each of these elements play in the story? Why do you think there were no buyers for this house?

The author of this story, Ted Kooser, was the United States Poet Laureate from 2004-2006. The illustrator of this book, Jon Klassen, was Canada’s Governor General’s Award winner for Illustration in 2010. Do some research and write a short report on either of these creative individuals.

Questions for OKAY FOR NOW

Doug eventually has many mentors and supporters in Marysville. Look back through the book and trace the following people and identify how they each encouraged and supported him: Mr. Powell, Mr. Ballard, Mr. Ferris, Mrs. Cowper, Mrs. Windermere and Lil. Have you ever had a supporter or mentor? Please discuss.

Certain phrases and adjectives are used multiple times to describe many of the characters in this story.  How do the following descriptions relate to the people in this book: a twisted criminal mind, the So-Called Gym Teacher, twitching hands, Big Bucks Ballard, Mrs. The- Library- Isn’t- Open Merriam, Mr. I-Own-the Gleaming-Car and Skinny-Delivery-Boy?

Why does Doug say Charlotte Bronte ought to be shot? What does this have to do with the assignment to read Jane Eyre out loud? How does Mrs. Cowper identify and solve the problem?

How does The Arctic Tern’s circumstances mirror how Doug feels at the beginning of this book?

Why is Doug happy with his brother’s criticism of his drawing of The Black Backed Gull?

What role does art play in OKAY FOR NOW? How does art inform and transform Doug? How does it unify the story? Why does Doug take up the quest to return all of the pictures from BIRDS OF AMERICA to their proper place?

1. Have you ever thought about planting a garden?  Take a few minutes and write a short story about what kind of garden you would most like to plant.
2. Have you ever had an opportunity to plant a garden at home?
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 planting a garden.
4. The author presents his readers with a lyrical telling of the story that mimicks the nursery tale, “The House that Jack Built.”  How could you use this narrative format to tell another story?

Questions for THE GREAT MOLASSES FLOOD

Study the following people, places and things mentioned in this book. Can you identify the following: USIA, The North End, anarchists, prohibition, John F. Fitzgerald, the USS Nantucket, the 18th Amendment, Paul Revere and the DiStasio family?

Sarah Brannen’s map of Boston’s North End across from Chapter One is a very interesting picture of the “place” in which this event happened. Locate the following: the molasses tank, the firehouse, the elevated train, the train yard, the fireboat, North End Park, Commercial Street and Mrs. O’Brien’s home. Can you reconstruct the chain of events when the molasses tank exploded?

It was eventually determined that gas emitted by the molasses as it fermented inside the tank was the process that caused the explosion. Can you discuss this chemical process? See the sidebar on page 85.

The author, Deborah Kops, has provided sidebars of information throughout the book to give depth to the place and times in which the event happened. Look back over the story and find an area where you would have liked more information. Do some research with the help of a parent or teacher and then write your own short sidebar.

Questions for POEM RUNS: Baseball Poems and Paintings

The artist reminds us on the back cover, where there is a 16th poem, that fans are important to the game of baseball.  Read the poem carefully.  Have you had any of these experiences when you have attended a baseball game in person? Discuss the following: where did you see a game, who was playing, did you yell, scream, hoot, holler, rave or wave as the poem describes? Would you rather see a game live or see a game on television? Why?

Read the poem, A BASEBALL, out loud. How does it sound to you? What outcome does the repetition of the word “it” have on the sound of the poem? How do the verbs influence the rhythm of the poem? Try to read the poem out loud with friends and family to see how more voices add to the auditory fun.

Which illustration is your favorite? Douglas Florian’s drawings show players in very funny and exaggerated poses. Using your power of observation try to do the following: put your body in the same position as the pitcher, copy the stance of the third baseman, mold your body into the shape of the umpire and reproduce the facial expression of the slugger. Trying these poses out in front of a mirror can add to the fun.

Questions and Activities for Magritte’s Marvelous Hat

1. Have you ever thought about creating something new?  Take a few minutes and write a short story about a time when you painted a picture, made something special, or imagined doing something special. 
2. Have you ever had a favorite toy or gift that was lost or broken?  How did you feel when it happened? 
3. The author/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 the story you wrote. 
4. The author presents his readers with some information about the artist, Rene’ Magritte and other artists who were part of the surrealist movement. Using the references available, find out more about both the artist and his paintings.  What other information did you learn through your research? 

Questions for TILLIE THE TERRIBLE SWEDE

Tillie was criticized for wearing a body-hugging racing suit in public and for wanting to participate in serious athletic pursuits. Have you ever been criticized for wanting to do something different? Please discuss who criticized you, how it made you feel and what you did about it.

Tillie’s story was very similar to the first long distance female swimmer Annette Kellerman. Kellerman was arrested on a Boston beach when she appeared in a sleek tank suit in 1905 rather than the swimming gear of women at the time which included bloomers, shoes, hats, collars and corsets under their bathing dress.  Do some research in the library and on the internet with the help of a teacher or parent, if needed. How are the stories of these two pioneering women athletes alike and how are they different? Check out the picture book biography MERMAID QUEEN  written by Shana Corey and illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham.

Across from the title page of this book is a poem written anonymously and published in the Indianapolis Trade Journal on March 26, 1898. It is called “When Tillie Rides Her Wheel” and celebrates Tillie’s athletic skills. Study the poem and try to write one in celebration of one of your favorite athletes. Notice that the rhyme scheme is aa,b,cc,b---in other words the first two lines rhyme, the third and the sixth lines rhyme and the fourth and the fifth line rhymes.  Pick a subject and write  your poem.

Questions for TITANIC: Disaster at Sea

The four-page gateway fold out includes details about every area of the ship’s design. Study the fold out and find the following locations: third class cabins, grand staircase, Turkish baths, swimming pool, first class luggage, crow’s nest, bridge, boiler room, hospital, third class dining room, first class state rooms, poop deck, galleys, rear funnel, Verandah Café and post office.

The Titanic was carrying a number of odd items. See the list of Strange Cargo on page 17.  Select one of the thirteen items listed and make up a story about what would have happened to that item if the Titanic had reached her New York destination. Please do some research and use your imagination.

The book shows that second and third class passengers were not allowed to go into areas of the ship set aside for first class passengers. Study the color-coded diagram on page 10. How did the environment, daily activities and entertainment differ between these three classes? For the most part, who was travelling third class, where were they going and why were they making the trip? Study both the text and the pictures on pages 26-29.

There were many heroes when the disaster struck. Find the following heroes within this book and make a journal note about who they were and what deed of heroism they performed: Molly Brown, Father Thomas Byles, Wally Hartley and Harold Lowe.

Questions and Activities for Zoey Gets Ready

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 way back” to the original request and get it done?  Was it more or less work? 
3. The author/illustrator  created  the playful 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. 

Questions for BROTHERS AT BAT

The National Baseball Hall of Fame honored the Acerra family in 1997. If you would like to see what positions each of the twelve brothers played go to the Hall of Fame website and read the June 4, 1997 press release. There were two catchers, two pitchers, one first baseman, one second baseman, one shortstop, one third baseman and four outfielders.

The illustration of the Acerra boys in their bedroom contains a number of interesting details. Study the picture and try to find the following items: seven baseball mitts, three baseballs, five baseball bats, ten brothers, one flashlight, one baseball cap, a Dodgers’ flag and one baseball card. How many brothers are in this picture?

This story emphasizes the importance of teamwork. What does it mean to be part of a team? Are you on a team? What does a good team player do? Discuss your experience on a spots team, a team at school or a team in your community.

Questions and Activities for Little Man

1. Have you ever thought about creating something new?  Take a few minutes and write a short story about a time when you painted a picture, made something special, or imagined doing something special. 

2. 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 the story you wrote. 

3. Readers are presented with some information about the author, David Freeman Wooley as a young boy and his passion for drumming. Using the references available, find out more about both of the authors.  What other information did you learn through your research? 

Questions for HERE COME THE GIRL SCOUTS

Today there are 3.2 million girls in The Girl Scouts. There are also 5 million Girl Scout alums in America including former First Ladies Laura Bush, Nancy Reagan and Hillary Clinton, singers Taylor Swift, Sheryl Crow and Natalie Merchant, athletes Venus Williams, Dorothy Hamill and Rebecca Lobo and former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Martha Stewart and Lucille Ball. Find out what a selected number of these women have accomplished. Ask a parent or teacher to help you do some research in the library and on official websites.  Can you see a connection between the Girl Scout Law that is published at the back of this book and the life and accomplishments of any of these women?

The author of this book says Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low had gumption when she was a young girl. Look the word up in the dictionary. Does this word describe Daisy well?  Why? What word do you think describes you well? Why?

Community service has always been one of the main goals of girl scouting.  Today, service is still an important element of citizenship. How could you personally or with your classmates serve others and your community?  Have you ever taken part in food drives, clothing drives, helping with community gardens, writing letters to men and women in the armed services, doing errands for the elderly or planting trees? If not, how would you go about organizing any one of these service projects?

Questions for THOSE REBELS, JOHN AND TOM

This book looks at two opposites and how their friendship grew. But, how were John Adams and Thomas Jefferson alike? Reread the book and look for the following: What profession did they both follow? Which national office did they both hold? How did they both feel about independence? On what day in the same year did they both die?

From the artist's renderings of King George what do you think he was like? How to you think he walked? How do you think he sounded when he talked?  How do his facial expressions reveal his feelings about the colonists? Why is his piggy bank so full?

The artist uses humorous details in each picture to enrich the story.  Study Tom's arrival in Philadelphia by coach. What can you tell about Tom from what he is bringing with him in the carriage? What is your favorite illustration in this book? Study it carefully. Does it tell you more than you know from the text?

John Adams, the second President of the United States, and Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, did not agree on the issue of slavery. Adams never owned slaves and Jefferson owned many slaves. Can you find the three illustrations that show Jefferson as a slave owner? Check what the Author's Note says about this difference.

1. Patricia Polacco uses time travel as a means for Derek and Michael to experience history.  What are the benefits of using this narrative device?
2. Describe some times when you  studied some aspect of history that you felt engaged with the events.
3. How would you teach someone else about an event in history that your wanted them to know about and remember?
4. Ask your teacher if your classroom could create a new way to think about history such as through stories, use of timelines, or dioramas.
5. What did you learn about the Civil War that you didn’t know prior to your reading of Just is Time, Abraham Lincoln?

Questions for The Artist who Painted the Blue Horse

(For young children)
Why did Eric Carle paint the horse blue? Which of the other animals painted by the artist did you enjoy seeing colored in an imaginative way? Have you ever drawn an animal and painted it in a color that was not realistic or usual? Discuss your artwork---what animal was it, how was it painted and how did it make you feel when it was complete?

Each of the nine animals has a personality. Can you think up a name to call each of them? For instance, what would you call the polka-dotted donkey? Use your imagination. Have fun. Name all of the animals!

Look at Franz Marc’s BLUE HORSE I in the back of the book. Study this famous picture. What do you like about it? How is it like Eric Carle’s picture of a blue horse? How is it different?

Can you make up a story about one of the animals in this book? Select one of the animals to move off the page. Where could the animal go? What would the animal do? Would he get into trouble? Would he meet other animals? Would he go to the circus? What would happen if he attended a child’s birthday party or climbed into your bed or chased the family dog? Have fun story making!

Questions for These Hands

1. The author tells the story of Joe Barnett through the eyes of a grandfather.  Discuss how this is an effective way to tell this story and why?
   
2. What new information did you learn from this stiry?
   
3. The author provides some additional information about Joe Barnett and the labor unions.  Using available resources, research more information about this time period and key events, create a time line that will provide more information about key figures for the time period.
   
4. Floyd Cooper has illustrated many books and has received several awards.  Using available resources, research the other books illustrated by Floyd Cooper.

Questions for Just Behave, Pablo Picasso!

Picasso’s work often was called terrible and ugly. In this book, how did Picasso handle this criticism of his work? Have you ever had one of your drawings or paintings criticized? If so, how did it make you feel? What did you do about it? Did it discourage you? Have you ever complimented someone on her/his artwork? How did that make you feel?

In 1907 Picasso created one of his most famous paintings entitled Les Desmoiselles d’ Avignon. Picasso painted it after he had seen an exhibit of African masks. Generally people and art critics disliked the painting when it was first shown to the public. Turn to the illustration where you see the art critics calling it ugly and terrible. How does this illustration visually relate to the painting? Do the two pictures have anything in common visually? Do you find anything humorous in this comparison?

All of the paintings visually interpreted by Kevin Hawkes in this book are identified on the last page. Have you ever seen a picture of any of Picasso’s work? If need be, ask a parent or teacher to help you go online to see some of Picasso’s paintings as they exist in museums and collections round the world. Les Desmoiselles d’ Avignon is in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Activities for The Pet Shop Revolution

1. The author uses a young girl and the caged animals to tell this story.  Why do you think this is an important perspective?

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 people are embarrassed by how they look.  How did Mr. Walnut’s embarrassment prove to be a key element in this story? 

4. Mr. Walnut’s actions were hurtful to the animals in his pet shop.  Tell a story of a time when you or someone you know was hurt by the actions of another.  How did that make you feel and how did you deal with it?  Does your school have a plan in place to deal with mean comments or actions?  Discuss what you or others should do if you see someone being bullied by another.

Activities for Wonderstruck

After reading the whole novel try to draw Ben's family tree. Who was his father? Who was his grandmother? Who was his great grandmother? Does he have any aunts or uncles? Make sure you pay attention to the words.  Also try to depict a family tree for Rose---who was her mother, who was her father, who was her stepfather and who was her brother? Make sure you read the pictures.

In this graphic novel Ben's story is told only in words and Rose's story is told only in pictures. Why do you think Brian Selznick decided to handle the narration this way?  How is this different from the integrated format used in THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET?

Did you know anything about Deaf culture before you read this book? What did you learn about Deaf culture from this book? Selznick did a lot of research on this before writing the novel including relying upon experiences from his own brother who was born deaf in one ear. Do you know how to sign? Would you like to learn?

Why did Selznick title this book WONDERSTRUCK? Have you ever been struck by wonder? Can you describe the situation? How does wonder feel?

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.