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Summer Virtual Book Club for Kids – Audrey and Don Wood

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Are you ready? It’s time for the July edition of the Summer Virtual Book Club for Kids. This book club is all about discovering new authors and finding ways to make reading fun and exciting for our kids. Last month we jumped into some funny books with Mo Willems. We even experimented with creating collage art. This month the chosen authors are Audrey and Don Wood. You know when you know an author, without even realizing it. For us, that would be the Wood’s. Many of their books are absolute children’s classics. However, instead of sticking with the books were already knew we did a little research and picked up a few books that we thought would challenge and interest my daughters (6 & 9 years old). We landed on “Elbert’s Bad Word“, “Bright and Early Thursday Evening” and “Moonflute.”

In true Audrey and Don Wood fashion, these book’s captivating stories are accompanied by incredibly beautiful artwork. After reading each of these books my girls were excited to dive into something hands on and creative…but what? Well, I observed the girls as they read and re-read “Elbert’s Bad Word.” Clearly, this was their absolute favourite.
Elbert's Bad Word

In this book Elbert literally picks up a “bad” word and accidentally says it…out loud…in front of EVERYONE! He gets into trouble. Then Elbert meets with a magical gardener who helps him replace the “bad” word with a whole slew of “better” words. I really loved the way that the “bad” word was illustrated. The bad word looks like a scary, hairy monster.

bad word illustration

The physical manifestation of the word got me thinking about other words and what they might actually look like. I handed my girls a list of words; swim, love, swing, run, etc. I asked the girls to write the words as they looked in their minds. For instance, the word “run” might actually be running! Here is what they came up with.

the word love illustrated
“love”
the word swing illustrated
“swing”
word "dog" illustrated
“dog”
I simply adore the little people swinging in the word “swing” and the little doggies in the word “dog”. The girls truly enjoyed this activity. In fact, even days later, Cee has been commenting on how different words “look”…love it. Not only did this activity focus on the spelling of words, it also helps with comprehension. Understanding the meaning of words and associating a visual with the words helps with story comprehension.
Now, did you have an opportunity to read any books by Audrey and Don Wood? Please take a look at the other co-host blogs for some amazing activities and ideas…

Toddler Approved, Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas, Rainy Day Mum, Reading Confetti, Inspiration Laboratories, Play Dr. Mom, Mommy and Me Book Club, Kitchen Counter Chronicles, Two Big Two Little, Creative Connections for Kids, The Golden Gleam, Juggling with Kids, Taming the Goblin, Crafty Moms Share, Ready Set Read 2 Me, Famiglia and Seoul, The Good Long Road, The Educator’s Spin On It, Imagination Soup, 3 Dinosaurs, Royal Baloo, BeingAConsciousParent, and No Twiddle Twaddle

 

Please link up any posts that you have that feature the work of Audrey and Don Wood – we would love to see what you have been creating. Don’t forget to check out the Virtual Book Club for Kids Facebook page, where you can stay find out more about

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Kristina says

    Illustrating bad words is pretty funny. Your kids came up with some great ideas! I love the message of this book too. Will need to read it!

  4. Jackie H. says

    This sounds like a great book. My four year old has been sneaking in some “bad” words (they are really just off-limits words). We need this book! I love your activity too.