Title: Smudge
Author: Clare Turlay NewBerry
Genre: Fiction
Ages: 6-12
Smudge by Clare Turlay is a nice story about some mischievous kittens who decide to go explore their home. When their parents leave, they kittens decide to go and look for some grasshoppers. The brave kitten Smudge decides to explore their living room with larger then life furniture. Their adventure continues as the kittens stick together!
About the Author: Clare Turlay was born in Oregon where she later studied art at the University of Oregon. She has received the Caldecott honor for four of her books. She later passed in 1970.
Theme/skill: This book focuses on kittens working together. Children can relate to it through teamwork.
Theme/skill: This book focuses on kittens working together. Children can relate to it through teamwork.
Pre-Reading activity: Draw a picture of a pet you have at home using only a pencil. If you do not have a pet draw an animal of your choice. Rub your sketch so it smudges.
Post reading activity: Have you ever been left home alone? If so write about what you did. If not, write about what you would do if you were to be left home alone.
The only reason I like this story is because of the illustrations. They are marvelous. Since I am an artist myself this book captures my attention and makes me want to open it and look at the pictures.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be interesting to have children write their own story and talk about what they would do if they were home alone. It would be interesting to see what they would write about. Also, you could have them discuss in a large group and talk about their favorite activities they do when they are at home.
I liked this story because of the teamwork and sticking together through tough situations. In this case, it was their parents leaving.
ReplyDeleteEven if the students hadn't been left home alone before, they could talk about a time when they had gotten "lost" (such as wandering off in the store) and how they felt when it happened.