Mr. Bill’s Book Corner

 Welcome to Mr. Bill’s Book Corner. Each month I will be focusing on a book that will also be distributed to Lending Library members and people who request literacy visits.

January’s book is:

Alfie Runs Away by Kenneth Cadow

 

 

 

 

Alfie is fed up with having to take a bath, set the table and make his bed. His breaking point however is when his mother attempts to throw away his favorite red shoes, even if they are a bit too small.  He decides he is going to run away. With the help of his mom, Alfie packs his bag full of supplies such as snacks, water, a flashlight and a blanket. Feeling the weight of the bag, Alfie makes it as far as the backyard before settling down to figure out the one thing he was missing in his bag.

 

Here are a few, fun activity ideas that could go along with this book:

• Art: Give the children a wide variety of materials such as paper, crayons, markers, glue and collage materials. Collage materials can be magazines, different types of paper, stickers, yarn, etc.  Ask the children to make their favorite thing to wear or their favorite thing to take on a trip. The key as is to all art activities is to leave it open ended. If a child makes a pizza monster, that is okay. 

• Math: Count the items Alfie puts in his bag. Match shoes and/or socks. Use water bottles with measurements on the side in your water table. 

• Dramatic Play: Try to include items in Alfie’s bag (flashlight, water bottle, teddy bear,etc.) in your dramatic play area. 

• Social Emotional: Discuss while reading the book how Alfie feels. Talk with the children about how they might feel if they were in Alfie’s shoes. 

Some of these ideas may not be appropriate for all ages. Use your best judgment on what the children in your care are capable of and modify if you need to. Please feel free to give Bill a call at 1(800) 676- 2805 or email at bbuss@cccconnect.org if you have any questions or comments.