I think if you have ever read my blog, than you know that I love Mo Willems and his terrific books. His funny, bright and clever illustrations and wonderful characters make such great read alouds. And though Mo doesn’t’ technically have a “Halloween” book he does have the tale of “Leonardo the Terrible Monster”.
I can’t even tell you how much the children love this book. I see their little faces go right to the cover when I am setting up for my “Frightening Fairy Tales” STE. By the time I open the first page the kids are already giggling with excitement. They know it’s going to be funny.
We are introduced to poor little Leonardo who is slumped in the corner of the first page, pathetic, and not scary at all. Then he attempts to scare two adults who are not in the least afraid. The children open their mouths as big as Leonardo’s and stick out their tongues. I check to be sure none of them are bright blue like the little monster. At every story time though, the kids remind me that their tongues occasionally change that hue when they eat lollipops.
Next, the really great, not terrible at all monsters are introduced. Tony for instance has 1,642 teeth and six mouths! Little foreheads move during the story imagining having a mouth above their eyes like Tony. Then there is the huge Eleanor who is so large only her feet fit on the large pages. Many of the children tell me Eleanor is pretty. I ask how come and they point out the dress, the nail polish and the beads around her ankle. It’s nice to know she puts in some effort. Lastly, we see Hector who is “just plain weird”. The kids love this. They are usually not encouraged to call all the weirdos they see “weird”. So, they make up for it by pointing out all the weird things on Hector giggling as they go.
Leonardo shows us his scary moves which we try to copy. The kids are great at this. Even when Leonardo stands on his hands, I have a few brave children give it a go. I have even seen clever attempts to stand on ones tail.
When we think all hope is lost for our poor little furry friend, he gets a great idea. He will find the most scared kid in the world and “scare the tuna salad out of him”. I don’t think I have encounter a single preschooler that knows what “scare the tuna salad out of him” really means but they laugh because they do understand its the funniest thing they have ever heard. Leonardo researches. We notice in Mo’s illustrations that he needs a cell phone, lots of books, a trash can, a clipboard, pens, a folder, and coffee-of course. The kids love that Leonardo needs glasses to read.
Leonardo pin points the most scared child: Sam. Similarly to our introduction to Leonardo, we find Sam slumped in the opposite corner alone on the page. Leonardo scares Sam with all of his heart which makes him cry. We love to act out crying and being the cocky and excited Leonardo. But, then Sam explains that Leonardo had not made him cry.
The following page is bright pink and absolutely covered in words. The children are surprised that I am going to read all of that. They look at Sam, who appears to be wailing and they are in an awe of his major temper tantrum. We learn that many horrible things have happen to Sam including being pooped on by a cockatoo. When I have fully read Sam’s words I ask the children: what was the worst thing that happened to Sam? It’s always the poop. My favorite was a little boy who raised his hand when I asked the question to which he responded, “when the peekatoo pooped in his head.” I wish it had been a peekatoo.Their poop is way funnier.
Then Mo brings us up really close to Leonardo while he makes the biggest decision: to be a good friend. The kids are pleased to see that Sam and Leonardo are friends, but even more pleased to see that they like to scare and chase each other. Then the story is over, but the kids want to see Sam up close. Maybe there is still a little poop in his hair. Oh yes, I think I see some.
Only one day to Halloween!!
Jenn, Imagination Celebrations
Savvy, Ingrid Law’s Newbery honor book, introduces a family with unusual talents. When each member of the family turns 13 they suddenly find their “savvy” which could be controlling the wind or even causing earthquakes. Mibs’ 13 birthday also coincides with a terrible car accident that leaves her father very hurt. Using her new, and very unusual “savvy” this hero attempts to save her father. This book is heart felt and unexpectedly moving.
Sorry, I had to say it. I mean come on, he doesn’t know he is a demi-god, then finds out and has to go to a special school camp where he meets Dumbledore Chrion, His best friend has an invisibility cloak Yankees hat……… (there are more)
