Multicultural Books

ISBN: 0688147364
Citation: Williams, V. B. (1996). More More More Said the Baby. New York: HarperTrophy.

More More More Said the Baby is separated into three sections and shares a snapshot into the lives of three children: Little Guy, Little Pumpkin, and Little Bird. Each child shares a fun and intimate interaction with a beloved family member, only to want “more, more, more” of their affection. With a rhythmic narrative, parts of the story also include a repetitive piece about a child’s belly button, toes, and eyes – allowing for an opportunity for the audience to participate as well.

The language of this picture book is quite simple, yet fun and full of expression that 3-5 year olds will surely enjoy. As each character in the story playfully interacts with a family member (a father, mother, and grandmother), children can think back on their own loving memories with their family. The vibrant illustrations have been created through gouache paintings and evoke an exciting and uplifting mood page after page.

Each character of this story comes from a different ethnic background, but by the end of the book, there is a sense of unity and connection with each character. Children will come away from this book with a delightful warmness and hopefully will want to share their own happy family memories with you.


Background and Provocations
1.) Teachers can ask the students to bring in a picture of themselves when they were a baby, and also bring one of ourselves as a baby and display them in the classroom. During circle time you can have a discussion about memories that the children have of what it was like when they were younger, including any nicknames that they may have been called (and the teacher can also share as well!)

2.) As the story includes memorable sections about the belly button, toes, and eyes of the characters, teachers can project or display a close up image of these parts of the body of a baby as a provocation in the classroom before the picture book is read. 


Presenting the Story
1.) Puppets - The story can be presented with 6 simple felt puppets cut out in a “gingerbread man” silhouette and fastened together with basic stitching. Be sure to make the “family member” larger and the “baby” puppet smaller. Each pair of puppets can be dressed and coloured to resemble the ethnic diversity among characters in the story. You can make the puppets enthusiastically carry out all of the actions in the story from blowing blueberries to gently kissing the eyes of a baby.

2.) Felt Story – This picture book can also be presented through a felt story. There are 6 characters that will be needed: Little Guy’s father, Little Guy (with his belly button showing), Little Pumpkin’s grandma, Little Pumpkin (with his toes showing), Little Bird’s mother, and Little Bird (with her eyes closed because she’s asleep). Again, each character can be dressed and coloured to resemble the ethnic diversity among characters in the story. Furniture that can also be created include a blue chair (for Little Guy), an orange chair (for Little Pumpkin), and a sofa & bed (for Little Bird).

3.) Acting the Story Out – The story can also be told aloud with specific emphasis on sections of the book that the students can act out. These sections include: Little Guy running from his father, Little Guy showing his belly button (and pretending that it is being kissed), Little Pumpkin scooting away from grandma, Little pumpkin wiggling his toes (and pretending that they get kissed), Little Bird fast asleep, Little Bird being rocked back and forth. The students can also be encouraged to repeat “’More, more, more!’ said the baby” a well.


Wonders
Some wonders that can be included while reading the story include:
·    I wonder how excited Little Guy feels to be tossed up in the air (p 5)
·    I wonder what Little Pumpkin is thinking when grandma says his toes are “good enough to eat” (p 18)
·    I wonder how loved Little Bird must feel while her mom is rocking her softly (p 24)


Extensions
1.) Creating a Book – Take a picture of each student and also ask them to bring a picture of themselves when they were a baby with their family. Create a class book with the images of each student side by side on each page (don’t forget to include yourself, too!). Keep the book on the shelf for the students to look through as they please.

2.) Songs and Fingerplays – Introduce new songs and fingerplays about babies.
Some songs you can sing include:

These are Baby’s Fingers
These are baby’s fingers,
These are baby’s toes,
This is baby’s belly button,
Round and round it goes!



I’ll Love You Forever
Another day’s passed
You’re growing so fast,
Soon you’ll be walking, I know.
I’ll hold your hand
And I’ll help you stand,
Till one day you’ll walk on your own.

And I’ll love you forever,
Forever and ever my baby you’ll be,
Yes, I’ll love you forever
Forever and ever my baby you’ll be,
Forever and always my baby you’ll be.

(example songs are from: Cobb, J. (2007). What'll I Do with the Baby-O?. New York: Black Sheep Press.)

3.) Discussion – There can be a discussion about babies with the students, including how they develop, how they learn crawl before walking, how to care for babies, what noises babies make, what to feed babies, etc. Keep the discussion interactive by having a baby doll with you and you can have the students demonstrate different actions (ie. how to rock a baby, feed a baby, kiss it good night, etc.)