Poesy the Monster Slayer: Action-packed, clever thinking

 

Poesy the Monster Slayer by Cory Doctorow illustrated by Matt Rockefeller is quite the read-aloud to share with elementary-aged children.  Children are often asking for scary books and if there are monsters, even better.  This is the perfect story for those fearless children who believe that they can overcome anything. It is also nice for anyone who likes stories with action, humor and an element of surprise.

Posey's parents tell her it is bedtime but sleep is the last thing on her mind.  She's been studying her monster book and is ready to take these monsters on who attempt to get her after the lights go out.  Poesy uses the facts she learns about each monster--werewolf, octopus, vampire, Frankenstein--to drive them away.

Even with her parents waking up to put her back to bed, Poesy's work is never done.  Each page's illustrations have clues that point to the next monster that will visit Poesy.  This makes reading and re-reading the book ideal for children.  The illustrations also include comic style speech bubbles and frames which make it a different reading experience for picture book readers. 

Some ideas for enrichment include:  children can make a comic of themselves dealing with a rule that they disagree with, like bedtime. They can brainstorm what they know about different monsters.  How would they use what they know about them to drive them away?  Turn the focus on Poesy's character:  how would they describe her?  What was their favorite way that Poesy protected herself?  How would they have done things differently?

Bunheads: A Story within a Story

 

Misty, a young ballet dancer, is just learning the movements and names for them in her first ballet class.  She is full of anticipation when her teacher announces that they will be performing a ballet called Coppelia.  The story of Coppelia captivates the young dancers. It has everything that makes up an intriguing story:  a toymaker, a doll, love, jealousy, and outwitting the villain.  

The reader learns how a performance like this comes together from starting with the steps to asking the dancers who they feel they want to be in the show.  This story encompasses camaraderie between dancers, teamwork, feeling proud and embracing the drive to improve.  

There are numerous topics for conversation with this book.  Children can describe a time that they had to work with others toward a common goal.  Or focus on the story within the story, Cappelia.  Who is their favorite character?  Of what other story does it remind them?  How would they change the ending?

Overall, it is a book that celebrates dance and the dancers who practice their art.  It is for boys and girls and anyone who likes to move, feel the music to express the emotions that dance evokes.  The book's illustrations encompass a variety of skin tones so the reader can see that the world of ballet is one in which all people can be welcome.  

For extra enrichment you can share clips of Misty Copeland dancing, watch the book trailer, or even better, incorporate movement by trying out the ballet moves described in the book! Or find the story of Coppelia and read it or watch other ballet performances of Coppelia.  Children can even act it out with their own interpretive movements.