It is always fun to read and get involved in a story with
children - sometimes a favorite story is read over and over
again! Remember stories where the children got so involved, they
were chiming in on parts? While you are reading and re-reading,
you can be sneaking in valuable literacy lessons, too, that just
seem like good fun! Take a good look at the illustrations,
alternating between black and white drawings and vivid color!
For an animated version of the book, check YouTube - there are
also other interesting videos, including the author acting out
the story. To act out the story yourselves, brainstorm with the
children about the sounds that come up in the story ... and how
you might recreate those sounds! Try to find things around the
house that would make all the various sounds... "Hmmm, this part
says "swishy, swashy".....what do we have that could make that
sound?" Gather together some home-made sound effects or
instruments that you could use to act out the story. Make up
simple symbols for the differ