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Before I talk about this cute book (I love fractured fairy tales), I want to announce the winner of Plank Road Summer. Again, thank you to everyone who left comments and questions for the authors. It seems to me that historical fiction is always a big hit, in spite of what the “big publishers” in New York are telling us. So, the winner is. . .June S. Congratulations to June!

The Three Little Rigs by David Gordon

*Picture book, fantasy for preschoolers through second graders
*Three little rigs as main characters
*Rating: What a cute twist on The Three Little Pigs. Great for your little ones who love trucks and big rigs!

Short, short summary: The Three Little Rigs by David Gordon is a version of The Three Little Pigs. In this story, each rig has to go out and build a garage. The first rig chooses wood, and the big, bad wrecking ball easily destroys it. The second rig builds his garage out of brick, and the big, bad wrecking ball wants to be let in. Of course, the rig answers, “Not by the chrome on my chinny chin chin.” The wrecking ball easily ruins the garage. Then there’s the third and brilliant, hard-working rig. He builds his out of steel. The wrecking ball can’t wreck it, but he is so big and bad–he doesn’t stop there. He enlists some help from a magnet and cutters. What will the rigs do to save this garage and live happily ever after?

So, what do I do with this book?

1. One of the best activities to do with fractured fairy tales is compare and contrast them to the original using art, a writing journal prompt, or a shared writing experience with a Venn diagram, depending on the age and ability level of your students or children. (By the way, David Gordon has other fractured fairy tale books such as Hansel and Diesel and The Ugly Truckling.)

2. This is a great book to discuss problem solving with children. How do the rigs finally solve their problem? With teamwork and cooperation from their friends. Children can talk about a problem they have had (or someone else’s problem) and how people worked together to solve the problem. You can also bring in current events, depending on what is going on in the world or your community when you read this book (and again the age of your children). For example, how do government officials solve a problem like the oil spill in the ocean? It takes a lot of people working together. This is a good book to lead into a character education segment on teamwork and being part of a team.

3. Books like The Three Little Rigs are meant to be read aloud and to have students do echo reading and even role playing. Let students read with you (or after you): “Not by the chrome of my chinny chin chin.” Let students act out the different parts. For an end of the year celebration, you could even do a play based on this book for parents.

photo by Stepheye www.flickr.com

*Picture book for preschoolers through second graders
*Young (and tiny) boy as the main character
*Rating: You might be more familiar with Laurie Halse Anderson’s novels, but this picture book is funny with a terrific voice! A modern-day take on the old-David-and-Goliath theme.

Short, short summary: The Antonellis of Third Street are BIG. Their friends are BIG too. Well, everyone except Little Benny, the tiny Antonelli. The big Antonelli kids like to play WITH Benny, which means they stuff him into snowballs, tape him to toy airplanes, and let the dogs walk him. As you can imagine, Little Benny is very unhappy and tired of being tiny. The way he finds some peace and quiet is to climb up high on top of street signs, fire escapes, and telephone poles. He can climb fast and high. So, the day of the annual Third Street block party, one of the activities is to climb a greased pole and grab a big hunk of cheese. All the big Antonellis and their big “friends” try it. But who do you think can do it?

So, what do I do with this book?

1. Who hasn’t felt like little Benny sometime in their life? Some of the students in your class may be the youngest sibling. Others may be tired of being told, “You can do it when you’re older.” This book is perfect for talking with students about self-esteem and their self-image. Point out that maybe Little Benny is small, but he is the best climber. Give your students some drawing paper and ask them to illustrate a picture of themselves and one activity they are really good at. Older students can write some sentences to go with their illustrations.

2. If you are teaching the 6 plus 1 traits of writing, this is an excellent book to use for voice. The Big Cheese of Third Street has a unique voice. Read the book out loud to students a few times. Talk about Laurie Halse Anderson’s word choice, and the way she sometimes speaks to the reader. You can use this book with older grades as an example of good voice, too.

3. Can students use their prediction skills and predict what’s going to happen when they see the big greased pole in the first scene of the block party? The author tells the reader that everything changed on Third Street after the block party. What do they think is going to happen and why? What evidence is there in the book to support their opinions?