Susanna Leonard Hill features Perfect Picture Book Friday on her blog. This is a wonderful resource if you are wondering what books to give as gifts, needing material for a lesson, and mainly just perfect for those who love to read picture books. Here is a list of books by category. This is very handy for finding books for lessons in the classroom, or for finding books on a particular topic to discuss with your children at home. Each book listed has a link to a review and information about that book. There is also an alphabetical list if you scroll down past the category list.
The Secret Knowledge of Grown-Ups
Written and Illustrated by David Wisniewski
HarperCollins 1998
Ages 5 and up
Themes: Humor, Rules
Synopsis: (Elizabeth MacKinney) In The Secret Knowledge of Grown-ups and The Secret Knowledge of Grown-ups: The Second File, David Wisniewski reveals the real reasons behind the good behavior you were carefully schooled in. Obtained at great personal risk, he tells the real reasons why you shouldn’t play with your food (food doesn’t know when to quit when it gets riled up, of course) and why you shouldn’t bite your fingernails (’cause the pieces grow back into rogue fingers who sneak up in gangs and ring your doorbell before running away).
Lines from the book: “Grown-Up Rule #62: Don’t jump on your bed. OFFICIAL REASONS: You’ll break it. You might get hurt. THE TRUTH: Yes, it’s possible to break your bed if you jump on it. and it’s possible you might get hurt if you fall off. But you’ll definitely get hurt (page turn) if you wake up the mattress! You see, mattresses aren’t just big life less rectangles crammed with stuffing. They are active woolly creatures raised on farms in Scotland.” And the fun continues 🙂
Today I am reviewing a picture book I have owned for years! I had forgotten how much I like it. It is written by David Wisniewski. He died at age 49 in his sleep. The world lost a true talent way too early. I, also, own The Secret Knowledge of Grown-Ups-The Second File.
Resources: Activities for having children write their own grown-up rules and then a spoof on the rule. Writing Imaginary Rules: Website 1 Website 2 Website 3
Prompt Sheet with rules written by 3 other students and this lesson to go with the Prompt Sheet. This lesson plan is very detailed and has examples.
This website is for oral presentations.
Why I Like This Book: David Wisniewski really knows how to tickle the funny bone. He takes the subject of “Rules”, which children never want to talk about, and he makes it into a book that they will definitely want to talk about. He presents the “real” rules as top secret rules that adults have filed away in secret files to make sure kids don’t get their hands on them. He adds the spy/mystery element by having the kid sneak into facilities that house the secret files. How appealing is that? Spies, mystery, and humor all rolled together. The illustrations are cut paper with details that deliver their part of the story. He catches expressions perfectly. Here is an example of the kid/spy sneaking in to get a file.
LOCATION: Cozy Comfort Mattress Company Lorgnette, Oregon DATE & TIME: January 17, 1998 4:30 A.M. LOG: Disguised as bedbug, enter loading dock. Find GROWN-UP RULE #62 in stuffing bin. Get sprayed by janitor. Play dead. Swept up in dustpan. Exit in garbage. Isn’t that fun? Also, this is a great book to use in the classroom. I included several websites for writing activities. Students will have fun with this while having to use their imaginations and be creative. Also, it’s an excellent chance to talk about rules-at school and at home-with the element of silliness mixed in.
This is hysterical! I really like the cover!
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I think you would like the humor, Erik.
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This book is too funny! Sadly, I think it might scare my older one, who is pretty sensitive. (He was scared by Bobby Bramble at first). However, my little one might find it hilarious in another year.
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Well, keep it on your list for the little one. I really think 3rd grade is about the right age for the humor in this one.
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Penny, this looks wonderful and very, very funny. I love reading funny books with my kids, especially if they make me laugh out loud while reading them. It’s moving to the top of my library list!
A2ZMommy and What’s In Between
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I think it will have you laughing out loud! My favorite one is about not biting fingernails….it is very funny!
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Oh Penny, this is also an absolute favorite. I also own a personal copy which I bought around five or six years back! I looooved this book. I recalled using it in a few bibliotherapy sessions with gifted kids. I am also a huge fan of David Wisnewski – didn’t know about the circumstances of his death, tragic indeed. Thank you for sharing this and getting me to take a trip down memory lane.
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You’re welcome. Thanks for stopping by. And if you don’t own the sequel to this, you ought to get it…it would be more fun added to your personal library!
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Well, food doesn’t know how to stop when it gets too riled up. Food fights are evidence of that! A funny addition to the collection, Penny, thank you.
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Thanks for visiting my blog to read the review.
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Very clever! Never heard of it. Loved the links you have provided. Could also be accomodated for writing other similar themed stories. Thanks Penny.
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What a quirky book! It sounds like kids would have so much fun with this! I could tell how much you enjoyed it. Also enjoyed your activity suggestions — fun!
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I think there are endless possiblities for activities with this one. Thanks for stopping by.
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This sounds truly wacky and a book kids will just love!
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It is just the kind of silliness kids love…and me, too.
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What fun! Thanks for sharing this one. I’d never heard of it before.
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It’s an older book as far as picture books go. It’s, also, geared toward a little older age group than a lot. I imagine a typical third grader would get all the humor.
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That sounds wonderful, what a shame he died so young!
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Yes, it is a shame. I’m quite sure there would’ve been many more great books.
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Ha ha haaa. What a bodacious book. Wonderful story. I wish I could say I had written it. Love the file. Ha. David Wisniewski is awesome. 🙂
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Bodacious is a great word to describe it! Thanks for reading the review, Robyn.
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