cumulative and circular book 2

If You Give a Pig a Party

Numeroff, L. (1988) If You Give a Pig a Party. U.S.A.: Harper Collins Publishers

 ISBN: 9-780060-283278

If you give a pig a party is a circular story about a pig. The sequence of events starts with a girl's offer to give a pig a party. The pig then asks for balloons, puts on her favourite dress and invites her friends to the party. The pig's friends are attending a street fair, so the pig joins them for the rides and games. On the way back home they all play hide and seek. Then the pig wants a sleepover and the animals have a pillow fight. The story ends with the pig asking for another party. The illustrations are simple, humorous and delightful.

I would choose this creative book for 3 to 5 years old children because it teaches the concept of cause and effect to the children. It’s an interesting picture book for children as all the pictures narrate the story of the book.

Provocation:
I wpuld place a stuffed pig on the table and balloons all over the room before telling the story. This will make children wonder what is going on between pig, and balloons props.

Presenting the book:

• I would read aloud the book to the children and show them pictures in the book as they are funny and colourful.
•  For an audience participation story I can prepare the face masks for the different characters in the story book, i.e. pig, moose, mouse, dog, rabbit, cat, snake and fox. The children would wear the masks and represent the characters in the book while I would play the role of the girl who offers the party to the pig and narrate the story at same time. Children can then use their imagination and act out the story in the class.
• I would make a felt story by cutting out pig, moose, mouse, dog, rabbit, cat, snake and fox characters from the felt. I would also make balloons, a new dress, roller coaster, cone ice creams, a tree, bread, Pyjama, pillow and fortress using felt. You can also buy felt pieces for any story at 3H craftworks, Vancouver.

I would stop on page 5 and ask “I wonder what happens when the pig calls her friends?”
I would stop on page 8 and ask “I wonder what the pig will find at the fair?”
I would stop on page 19 and ask “I wonder what happens after all the friends come home?”

Extensions:

• Play a game of hide-and seek on the playground just like pig and her friends.
• Have children wear their favorite outfit. Discuss when they like to wear it. Why is it their favorite? Did someone special give it to them? Was it bought for a special occasion?
• Coordinate with the parents of the children to have a “Pig Pajama Party”! The children should come dressed to school in their pajamas and bring their pillows and blankets. Let them decorate the room with streamers. Have them wear party hats and use blowers. Serve ice cream cones to the children.