This short but gorgeous book is about taking the everyday "stuff" and imagining it to be something different. Some illustrations turn a tree house into a castle. Others are more about children dreaming about their futures...a girl watches the ballerina in her jewelry box and imagines herself on stage as a prima ballerina. A boy sees a fire truck and imagines himself as a fireman rescuing someone from a burning building.
The pattern of the book adds to the story. The real life objects are in black and white. Turn the page, and the dreams, wishes or fantasies are in full color.
I couldn't wait to share this book. So on the second day of school, with my third and fourth graders on the carpet in front of me, we read it together. We discussed the pattern of the book, the illustrations, and we cleared up vocabulary. When we say the word dream, it has multiple meanings. So we talked about hopes and wishes and how they might be different from daydreams or fantasies. Then, we talked about how all of these are different from the type of dreams we have when we're asleep.
I gave each student a thought bubble which they covered with artwork about their hopes for their futures or their daydream fantasies. One child wanted to live at Hogwarts. One of my boys wants to live in a Pokémon world. Another child drew about having her own animal rescue.
While students were creating, I took their pictures with my iPad. Another student helped me use a photo editing app to create a dream-like appearance. All of that led to this:
My students decided the photos should be in black and white and their dreams in color, just like the book.
My students and I heartily recommend this book as a beginning-of-the-school-year read. If you've used this book, I would love to hear about any extensions you did with your students in the comments below.
Teach on, my friends!
@ Wild Child Designs
So, so cute!! Just put the book in my Amazon cart! Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
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