Impromptu Story Corner
The library doesn't have a Story Corner scheduled on Fridays, because fewer people visit on Friday and we operate on half staff those days. But this Friday a group of 25 kids showed up at the same time all wanting to use the 6 children's computer terminals. I could sense there was about to be trouble so I threw together an impromptu Story Corner. I'm glad it happened also, because the rest of the day had been very. It seemed like a good day for humor so I read two books: Diary of a Wombat and Stinky Smelly Feet: A Love Story.
Diary of a Wombat
Author: Jackie French
Illustrator: Bruce Whatley
Ages: 3 and up
This book has some similarities to Doreen Cronin's Diary of a Worm which I reviewed a couple of weeks ago. Both of them are the diaries of two seemingly dull animals, and both books are wickedly funny. French and Cronin achieve their humor in two different ways. The worm in Cronin's book has very human qualities beyond writing a diary such as dancing, talking, and wearing a baseball hat. French allows her wombat to remain a wombat (other than the fact it is keeping a diary), but the diary is almost written as a series of observations of the wombat's activities---sleeping, scratching, and eating. The comedy in Diary of a Wombat is much more believable, though more subtle than that of Diary of a Worm. Both books are very funny. I think it would be interesting to see both author's try and write a diary for the other animal....I think French would have some interesting and subtle observations to share about the life of a worm that were lost in the more direct comedy of Cronin in her book.
I am going to find some more books that are Diaries of various animals. I think that it would make for a good theme for a future Story Corner. I think both books would make for a good introduction to a diary writing lesson. Diary of a Wombat would be a good book for starting a science lesson about observation.
Stinky, Smelly Feet: A Love Story
Author: Margie Palatini
Illustrator: Ethan Long
Ages: 4 to 10
This is a cute story about two ducks, Douglas and Dolores, that are falling in love. Unfortunately, Douglas has extremely stinky feet. In the end love conquers all, including stinky feet and they live happily ever after. The book, especially its premise, is very funny, but the book probably drags on a little bit longer than necessary. Would I share it again, yes because its funny and every young kid knows someone that has stinky feet.
I'm not sure how I could apply it to a classroom setting, maybe as an introductory reading in a hygiene lesson for health. Palatini does maintain a wonderful web site for herself which contains many activities and study guides for her books.
Diary of a Wombat
Author: Jackie French
Illustrator: Bruce Whatley
Ages: 3 and up
This book has some similarities to Doreen Cronin's Diary of a Worm which I reviewed a couple of weeks ago. Both of them are the diaries of two seemingly dull animals, and both books are wickedly funny. French and Cronin achieve their humor in two different ways. The worm in Cronin's book has very human qualities beyond writing a diary such as dancing, talking, and wearing a baseball hat. French allows her wombat to remain a wombat (other than the fact it is keeping a diary), but the diary is almost written as a series of observations of the wombat's activities---sleeping, scratching, and eating. The comedy in Diary of a Wombat is much more believable, though more subtle than that of Diary of a Worm. Both books are very funny. I think it would be interesting to see both author's try and write a diary for the other animal....I think French would have some interesting and subtle observations to share about the life of a worm that were lost in the more direct comedy of Cronin in her book.
I am going to find some more books that are Diaries of various animals. I think that it would make for a good theme for a future Story Corner. I think both books would make for a good introduction to a diary writing lesson. Diary of a Wombat would be a good book for starting a science lesson about observation.
Stinky, Smelly Feet: A Love Story
Author: Margie Palatini
Illustrator: Ethan Long
Ages: 4 to 10
This is a cute story about two ducks, Douglas and Dolores, that are falling in love. Unfortunately, Douglas has extremely stinky feet. In the end love conquers all, including stinky feet and they live happily ever after. The book, especially its premise, is very funny, but the book probably drags on a little bit longer than necessary. Would I share it again, yes because its funny and every young kid knows someone that has stinky feet.
I'm not sure how I could apply it to a classroom setting, maybe as an introductory reading in a hygiene lesson for health. Palatini does maintain a wonderful web site for herself which contains many activities and study guides for her books.
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