Book Review
by Kathy Porter
This book by Margery Cuyler with illustrations by David Catrow, is the funnest read aloud. I love prompting the kids to say That’s good, That’s bad with me. “Oh, that’s good!” I would say it with enthusiasm and then say, “No,that’s bad,” and make it sound very dramatic. .
The story is about a little boy with his parents at the zoo. They give him a red balloon to hold and it takes him high in the sky and pops over a jungle of animals. Good and bad things happen to the little boy until a stork carries him back to the safety of his parents. .
Another interesting thing about this very colorful story is the concept that some things can be both good and bad, depending on the situation. For instance, an ice cream tastes good, but too much can make you sick, or it melts and drips down your arm in a sticky mess.
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Activity
This activity helps children use critical thinking skills and encourages their speaking ability. As the child colors each picture, have a conversation about how the objects are both good and bad. Ask the child how a bee is good and then how a bee is bad. For example, the bee is good because it helps flowers to grow and makes honey. It’s bad because it can sting you. Older children may express additional ideas. .
Supplies:
● Activity sheet ● Crayons or markers and pencils .
Directions:
- As the child colors each picture, have a conversation about how the objects are both good and bad. How is a bee good? How is a bee bad? For example, the bee is good because it helps flowers to grow and makes honey. It’s bad because it can sting you. Why is ice cream good? Why is ice cream bad? A possible answer is: An ice cream cone is good because it tastes yummy but too much ice cream can give you a tummy ache. Why is a car good? Why is it bad? A car is good because it can take you places quickly but if you don’t look both ways before you cross the street, it can hurt you. Why is a phone good? Why is it bad? A phone is good to talk to people and see pictures or movies but it’s bad if you only play with the phone and not go outside, read books, or do other fun things.
- Different Variation: Older children may think of additional objects that are both good and bad, draw their own pictures, and explain why the objects are both good and bad.