Concept Books 2

Cronin, D; Lewin B. Click, Clack Quackity-Quack. New York (2005) Books for Young Readers Simon & Schuster.

ISBN-10: 0689877153

ISBN-13: 978-0689877155

Click, Clack, Quackity-Quack, what a tongue twister! This book is an alphabetical animal adventure. It describes all of the animals that are on a farm, which children may or may not know. An example, Animals awake Beneath blue blankets Clickety-Clack. Duck cannot wait to share all of his friends with everybody, but he is doing it in a secretive way by going through the alphabet in order for us as the readers to find out.

This book is appropriate for the ages of 3-5 because of the colors and pictures which bring about to children’s attention. Children learn the alphabet and animals in a fun way as well as rhyming along so it is easier for them to remember.

The illustrations are made for this appropriate age because just by observing the picture they might know what the animal is without listening to the story. A humorous mood is evoked as the story uses the noises of the animals in which children can find funny and play along with. I was drawn to them because they are big, colorful and go along with the words of the story.

Provocations:

§  Show a few pictures of the animals that are in the book. The pictures can be photocopied then placed on a poster board, or the educator can put it in front of their face and make the animal’s noise.

§  Children can draw what they think an animal looks like from an example the teacher gives.

Present the book in 3 ways:

§  Felt story- pieces needed would be the animals, barn, blankets, worms, and pieces of food, rain, umbrellas, watermelons, and the X spot. These pieces can be made or purchased.

§  Story Basket- small versions of the animals such as puppets. They can be sorted in a picnic basket and the children can decide which animals go together and which don’t. These can be found at a dollar store or made by hand.

§  Rhyme- the educator can come up with a rhyme that will be understanding and memorable for the children. As well, laminated photos can be part of the story telling so children have a visual understanding as well. The photos can be posted on a poster board in the order they go in the book.

“I wonder why the Kittens are licking” (p7)

“I wonder what the mice are munching on” (p8)

“I wonder how the mice are hiding” (p11)

“I wonder how you make a zzzz noise” (p20)

Extensions:

§  During circle time, a reminder alphabet song can be sung in different versions in a way that children will enjoy and want to sing repeatedly.

§  Children can draw a picture of their own animal. They can make it unique by the way they design it, the colors and textures they use.

§  An animal unit learning about each animal group at a time. Children can use the pictures they created to assist them with understanding the animal unit.