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CM . . .
. Volume X Number 12. . . . February 13, 2004
Given the popularity of Robert Munsch books in today's early years classrooms, this guide to the use of six Munsch titles will be a welcome addition. Books included show a variety in story content and illustrator. Playhouse, Makeup Mess, Get Out of Bed!, Alligator Baby, We Share Everything!, and Ribbon Rescue are the titles chosen for Volume 1 of this guide. Munsch's rise to fame is re-told in a somewhat simplistic, unadorned manner, but it seems to cover the important highlights. In response either to criticism of or concern about the "tone" of Munsch's books, the authors give advice to teachers on how to handle this issue, if necessary. This is followed by a question and answer section with the famous author. Information on the illustrators of the six books covered in this volume is very suitable to reading aloud to students, and it includes a brief "Picture" of the contributions of the books' illustrators: Michael Martchenko, Alan and Lea Daniels, and Eugenie Fernandes. The format which is used for each of the six stories includes: a summary, questions that teachers can use (before the reading, during the reading and after), and activities to extend and connect the experience of these stories to cross curricular areas of science, art, social studies and math. The activities range from the very ordinary and simple to some very creative ideas, including "character cubes" and the "decision tree." However, some border on make-work projects that could take away from the outrageous humour inherent in Munsch's storytelling and the pure enjoyment of a child's imagination. But teachers who feel the need to follow-up the reading of stories with students "producing something" will be delighted by the reproducibles accompanying each title. There are several feature that are positive and impressive. The inclusion of real children who inspired or were behind the stories is a wonderful touch, and many of the suggestions include having students focus on the dedication page and locating on a map those places mentioned. Additional ideas for developing an author study are welcome. Other interesting and well-placed inserts include a "Did You Know Box" which imparts some intriguing information about the book itself; some tidbit about the author or the illustrator that would add to a class's enjoyment of the title; and a "Take A Look" section which highlights ideas that teachers could use in focusing students' observation skills. This guide ends with a listing of web sites, videos and sources for biographical information as well as a further list of Robert Munsch books. The authors bring considerable experience to this kind of guide that promotes the use of literature in many subject areas. Amy von Heyking is the author of Teaching with Dear Canada, and her co-author, Janet McConaghy, has partnered with Heyking to produce Social Studies Through Literature K-3. Recommended. Reesa Cohen is an Instructor of Children's Literature and Information Literacy at the Faculty of Education, University of Manitoba.
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