Tankard, J. (2009). Boo Hoo Bird. New York: Scholastic Press.
ISBN: 978-0-545-06570-2
This book is
about a bird who has been hit in the head with a ball while playing catch with
his friends. Bird’s friends try to make Bird’s bonk feel better by offering
hugs, kisses, cookies, a game of hide and seek and Band-Aids. After all of Birds
friends offer him their sympathy, Bird still doesn’t feel better! Bird’s
friends become increasingly sad to see him so upset by his bonk so they begin
to cry too. Bird sees how sad his friends are now and thinks maybe I don’t feel
so bad anymore. After both Bird and his friends cheer up, Bird suggests another
game of catch. Unfortunately, Bird once again gets hit in the head with the
ball!
Boo Hoo Bird is
a funny story that keeps children interested and wondering what will happen
next. Children can relate to the items that bird is being offered by his friends
to make him feel better. Bird is also offered a Band-Aid, which is always a hit
with children’s boo boos. This story gives insight into the importance of
friends and what each one can bring into our lives.
The
illustrations in Boo Hoo Bird are extremely creative. Jeremy Tankard has used
real photographs and incorporated them into the story’s illustrations. Computer
generated images are used to enhance the already colourful interesting photos
in the background. The characters are simple yet appealing. The characters such
as Bird, Racoon, Beaver, Rabbit, Fox and Sheep all have human like traits, but
with a unique twist. The illustrations in Boo Hoo Bird are very bright and colourful.
This element creates a cheerful mood throughout the whole book. I think the bright colours and the real
life images will interest children. This book was even interesting to adults
because of the creative illustrations and witty sense of humour.
The introduction
of the characters can be used to provoke further learning about the animals
used in Boo Hoo Bird. Bird and his friends will be presented through photos
that are not from the book as well as real life animals resembling the
characters. For example, Rabbit will be presented through illustrations in other
books, a real life photo of a rabbit will be shown, and an open discussion on
rabbits can be used. Questions such as: I wonder what a rabbit eats? I wonder
where rabbits sleep? Stuffed animal versions can be presented if available. This
will give the children an idea of the approximate dimensions, what the animals
feel like, what the animals look like. The background knowledge will give the
children a better understanding and awareness of the real animals.
The four ways Boo Hoo Bird will be
presented:
1. Prop story: all props will be stored in a basket resembling a nest.
The items in the basket will be shown one by one as the story is told. The
first item that will be shown is the hug that Sheep offers to Bird. This will
be presented by a stuffed animal giving a hug. The second item that will be presented
is the kiss. This item will be presented through a picture. The third item that
will be presented is the cookie. This will be a real chocolate chip cookie. The fourth item that will be presented is a game of hide
and seek. This will be demonstrated through the use of the teacher’s hands and
saying “peek a boo”. The fifth item that will be presented is a Band-Aid. A box
and an individual Band-Aid will also be shown to the children. Each prop will
be supported with the reading of the story by a teacher. Information as to why each prop is used
will be made clear with the pairing of Boo Hoo Bird.
2. The quilt story: the story of Boo Hoo Bird will be presented in a
quilt form. Squares will depict the story of Bird and his friends. Each quilt
square will be hand made with fabric paint and iron on transfers. Children will
be able to spread the squares out onto the floor to create the story of Boo Hoo
Bird. They could also create their own version with the versatility of the
squares. Each square will be well made with eye catching colours and designs.
3. The felt board: Bird and his friends will be portrayed though a felt
story. Each character of the story will be included as well as background items
such as trees, a ball, fox’s den, a Band-Aid, a cookie and more. The felt
pieces will be handmade with characters transferred onto felt through transfer
paper. The felt story will be presented on a black felt background that can be
easily used for other stories.
4. The recording of Boo Hoo Bird: a voice recording of the story will
be made. The story will be read out loud and recorded. Musical instruments,
sounds effects and voices will be used to tell the story of bird. A sound such
as the hitting of a drum will be used to enhance the story line. When story has
been recorded a CD will be made. The CD can then be played in CD player for
children to hear.
A detailed list of extensions:
·
Since Bird has had some
troubles playing safely with his friends, explaining playground safety would be
important. Teaching children the
importance of keeping hands, toys, balls and other objects to themselves. Faces
are important to us and we don’t want any boo boos on the face. Sand is always
a large part of many early childhood centers, so inform the children on the
safely playing with sand. Sand very easily gets into eyes which can be painful
and very irritating to a child.
·
Since Bird is a “famous guy” he
has another book about himself called “Grumpy Bird”. This story can be read to
the children so they become more familiar with Bird and his adventures.
·
Since Bird is really not having
a good day after being bonked on the head, cheering him and the children up
would be a fun activity. Sing “If You’re Happy and You Know It” and you can
include additional verses if you’re excited and you know it, if you’re tired
and you know it, and so on. Also asking the children what they feel or makes
them happy can be included in this song. Explain that Bird’s friends tried to
make him happy by doing different things such as giving him a cookie or a hug.
·
An art project that can be engaging
is taking photos of nature and then painting over with watercolours or other
mediums. This is similar to the ways the illustrator of the story produced the illustrations
of the book. Each page has a background photo that includes real trees and
shrubbery. Children can mimic this technique in their own ways. Teachers can
supply cameras for the children to use, and then have their photos printed on
quality paper to mimic the illustrations in Boo Hoo Bird.
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