ALBUMBLE

Today's book comes from one of my favourite authors, Oliver Jeffers - but this time he has teamed up with writing goliath Eoin Culfer to create "Imaginary Fred"

Fred is a professional imaginary friend. He's easygoing and always happy to be summoned. He's adaptable, friendly and willing. The perfect imaginary friend, really. Overall, Fred likes his job but when his kids end up finding real life friends, Fred's role as an imaginary friend is over--and he gradually fades away. Although great as a read aloud book the illustrations, as you can probably guess, are great and fit well with the narrative. But if you expecting anything quite as colourful as song of this other works - this might surprise you!

 

Which emotion does the book begin with?What are the 'rules' for getting an imaginary friend?Why did Fred get ignored?What technique is used in the phrase 'dynamic duo'? What does this mean?"A look Fred had seen before" - when was this?How genuine was Sam's promise?When Sam read the note, how did he feel? Why do you think he felt this way?Find the adjective that describes Freda's smile.Which word means 'first performance'What do you think happened next?

Welcome to another of our short summer reads !

Down in the jungle, three best friends – Monkey, Tortoise and Anteater – are playing silly games together. After playing their go-to games of Stick Splash, Scary Monsters and Silly Dancing, they spy Little Crocodile and his big crocodile mum in the swamp.

Little Crocodile suggests a daring new game called... KISS THE CROCODILE! Who will be brave enough to steal a peck from the ‘sleeping’ croc, with his big tail, pointy teeth and sharp claws? Showcasing the exuberance and thrill of friendship and play, this hilarious new story from the author of Hoot Owl, Master of Disguise demands to be re-enacted, and is the perfect match for the animated and rich artwork of Ben Mantle

 

Make a list of the different onomatopoeia the author uses.

When the friends see the two crocodiles, why do they whisper?

In what order do the friends play the game?

Who finally wakes the crocodile?

Why do you think they play 'Wake the Monkey' next time?

Do you think this story has a moral it is trying to teach young children?

... and now for some poetry !

This podcast looks at the anthology of poems "His shoes were far too tight" masterminded by Daniel Drinkwater with colourful and surreal illustrations from Calef Brown. Although not an exhaustive collection, they certainly showcase the lexicographic dexterity of Lear as well as as showing off his most famous rhymes

Remember to listen to part one before listening to part two !

 

The Quangle Wangle's hat

Why could you not see his face?

What is the Quangle Wangle's favourite foods?

Why do you think so many animals wanted to live there?

Draw a picture of what you think the tree and hat look like

 

Mrs Blue Dickey bird

Draw a picture of the different characters walking behind each other

 

Some incidents in the life of my Uncle Arly

What does 'squandered' mean?

Where did the cricket go?

How long did Arly travel?

 

Nonsense Alphabet

Choose your own items to add to the alphabet or many come up with less repetitive descriptions

 

There was an Old Derry down Derry

What do you think this poem is about?

Which other limericks have you heard of before?

... and now for some poetry !

This podcast looks at he anthology of poems "His shoes were far too tight" masterminded by Daniel Drinkwater with colourful and surreal illustrations from Calef Brown. Although not an exhaustive collection, they certainly showcase the lexicographic dexterity of Lear as well as as showing off his most famous rhymes

And to make things even better there will be even more in the next podcast! 

 

Throughout each poem, make a note of the stanza lengths and/or rhyme schemes.

Attempt to write your own stanzas about your self OR in teh style of the poem, as an additional verse

 

How pleasant to know Mr Lear

What does Lear mean by the word 'dumb'?

Investigate what Marsala is - NOTE - do not mix up with masala !!!!

What does the word 'runcible' mean? (this word comes up again and again!)

Draw a picture of what you think he looks like.

 

The Pobble who has no toes

What did Aunt Jobiska make the Pobble drink?

Where did he swim?

Which words does Lear use that all mean red?

Who took the flannel away?

 

The Owl and the Pussycat

What does Lear mean by the word 'fowl'?

Which foods did they eventually end up eating?

How does the repetition of the final lines make you feel? How does it change the pace?

 

The Duck and the Kangaroo

How do you think the duck sounds at the start of the poem?

What does Lear mean by the word 'roo-matiz'? Why do you think it is spelled that way?

Where did the duck end up sitting?

 

The Jumblies

At what time of year did they set sail?

Which random objects was the boat made out of?

How did they keep their feet dry?

Where did they sail too?

How long was their entire journey?

This story, although with a slightly negative title, is  beautiful tale of conquering fears and spreading empathy. Written by award-winning author and illustrator Francesca Sanna, who many of you may know from writing "The Journey" this has a similar set up but is about something we can all empathise with When a young girl travels to a new country and starts a new school, her Fear tells her to be alone and afraid. How can she hope to make friends if she doesn't understand their language? This book shows us the importance of sharing your Fear with others - after all, everyone carries a Fear with them, even if it's small enough to fit into their pocket!

A great book to listen too but also has some amazing illustrations!

 

Why might fear keep you safe?

If the girl has left somewhere bad, why might her Fear keep growing?

What does the author mean by "Fear eats all the food she can'?

"Fear dreams so loudly" what could this mean?

What is the boy scared of?

What do you think your Fear looks like? Maybe draw a picture of it.

When does your Fear come out? Can you tell when other people's Fear comes out?

What is this book trying to teach us about how we treat each other?

Another short story for you to listen to!

A Children's Book of the Year in The Telegraph, an Empathy Lab Read for Empathy book 2020 as well as the winner of the Macmillan Prize for Illustration 2017. A great story to listen to but even better with the effervescent pictures!

A very funny and lovable picture book tribute to grandparents and older people many of which you might be able to find in the this book. When you're small, everybody bigger than you seems really old. But does being older have to mean being boring, or slow, or quiet? This book reveals that the age you are makes no difference to how amazing you can be.

 

What do you think the narrator means by 'funny teeth'?

Who might have said negative things about old people? Why?

Make a list of the things the narrator is told about old people. Do any of these things describe your grandparents or even great-grandparents?

Try to balance out the the negative list by adding a positive thing about your grandparents

Draw a picture of your grandparents doing some amazing things !

Welcome to a string of short books for the summer holidays!

Over the next few weeks we have a wide range of stories - including some poetry - to keep you entertained and keeping your comprehension skills on your toes. We'll then be doing some medium and longer form books up to and after Christmas.

In this book, Mum works really hard, but today there is no money or food in the cupboards. Mum feels ashamed that they have to rely on the kindness of others, but her young daughter can still see all the good in her day. A moving insight into the sad rise and necessity of foodbanks from the perspective of society's most vulnerable, and an essential book to help develop empathy in younger readers.

 

What does the little girl want for breakfast?

What is the 'everything else jar' for?

Name some of things you can do on a no-money day. Can you think of anything else to add to the list?

Why do you think mum doesn't like going to the foodbank?

Why does the lady at the foodbank say sorry to the girl?

Who are the 'kind people'?

Maybe you can donate something to your local foodbank.

Every day leading up to Christmas I will be uploading a short festive verse - sometimes, funny, sometimes poignant,, sometimes fantastical, sometimes warm - but every day will have something ever so slightly different.

Hope you enjoy !

POEM 24 CHRISTMAS EVE CONVERSATION

Every day leading up to Christmas I will be uploading a short festive verse - sometimes, funny, sometimes poignant,, sometimes fantastical, sometimes warm - but every day will have something ever so slightly different.

Hope you enjoy !

POEM 23 QUESTIONS ON CHRISTMAS EVE

Every day leading up to Christmas I will be uploading a short festive verse - sometimes, funny, sometimes poignant,, sometimes fantastical, sometimes warm - but every day will have something ever so slightly different.

Hope you enjoy !

POEM 22 THE TWELVE LEFTOVERS OF CHRSTMAS