Stacy S. Jensen

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PPBF: If Waffles Were Like Boys

10.23.2015 by Stacy // 19 Comments

Here’s my selection for Perfect Picture Book Friday:
IfWafflesWereLikeBoys
If Waffles Were Like Boys
Written by Charise Mericle Harper
Illustrated by Scott Magoon
Balzer+Bray, 2011
Suitable for: ages 4-8
Theme/Topic: Comparison, Adventure
Opening Spread: If waffles were like boys … [page turn]
breakfast would be a BATTLEFIELD!
Brief Synopsis: From Amazon.com description—
What if everything were just like boys?
If shopping carts were like boys . . . grocery stores would be racetracks!
If pillows were like boys . . . bedrooms would besuperhero hideouts!
Perfect for bedtime, this funny and tender celebration of boyhood will have everyone seeing their world in a whole new way.
Resources: Create your own story with different objects. Use the construction like in Charise’s story: If ____ were like boys/girls … _____(what would happen). It’s sort of an if … then construction. For example… If zombies were like boys … brains would be fast food. (Or something silly like that.) Several books with a similar format include:  Miranda Paul’s book Water is Water (we discuss this a lot on foggy or wet days), Jim Averbeck’s Except If, and Sean Taylor’s When a Monster is Born (which offers two possibilities for every scenario). Lots of possibilities to compare and contrast with this book. You can also discuss whether you agree with the ending of each line or not?
Why I Like This Book: We found this book while researching a publisher. The side benefit is that Enzo and I had a fun time exploring the different scenarios in the book. “If shopping carts were like boys …  grocery stores would be RACETRACKS!” The story obviously generalizes some boy behaviors. And, many of them fit into my boy’s mindset, so he liked the book.  Since we read this book, we’ve added several more of Charise’s books on our library list. She has a really cool FAQ – kid focused – on her website.
For more PPBF books, visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s Blog.
Next week, the PPBF will be on hiatus as Susanna will be coordinating the spooktacular task of organizing the 5th Annual Halloweensie Contest.
My effort will appear on Monday. It’s always a fun contest. You write a 100-word story for children. Check out the rules for all the details.
 

Categories // Perfect Picture Book Fridays Tags // Charise Mericle Harper, Contest, Halloweensie, Jim Averbeck, Miranda Paul, Perfect Picture Book Fridays, Scott Magoon, Sean Taylor, Stacy S. Jensen, Susanna Leonard Hill

Stacy S. Jensen

Stacy S. Jensen is always searching for a unique story. She’s found many stories while volunteering, walking her Vizsla, or paper quilling. She loves reading and s’mores. The former newspaper journalist lives in Georgia with her family.

Comments

  1. Vivian Kirkfield says

    October 23, 2015 at 12:26 am

    Love this story, Stacy…I’d never heard of it…but it sounds perfect for kids…especially little boys!!! And your activity ideas are great.

    Reply
    • stacy says

      October 23, 2015 at 6:45 am

      And, it would be super helpful if I would get my title correct in my post. It’s fixed now. 🙂 Thanks.

      Reply
  2. Julie Rowan-Zoch says

    October 23, 2015 at 12:43 am

    Must read it! Thanks!

    Reply
    • stacy says

      October 23, 2015 at 6:46 am

      It’s a fun concept.

      Reply
  3. Joanna says

    October 23, 2015 at 7:00 am

    Love your idea of comparable books, too. I always like these What if scenarios and kids get it so well.

    Reply
    • stacy says

      October 23, 2015 at 8:12 am

      I know. There are several out there and they are great to read.

      Reply
  4. Rosi Hollinbeck says

    October 23, 2015 at 8:19 am

    Wonderful premise for a kids book. I hadn’t heard of this but will definitely check it out. Thanks for the review.

    Reply
  5. Patricia Tilton says

    October 23, 2015 at 8:54 am

    What an engaging, entertaining and thought-provoking book for boys! Love how the concept of “what ifs” create a lot of great activities — and I enjoyed how you and Enzo used the book. Since I have a great grandson, I am particularly interested in the books you share.

    Reply
  6. Jilanne Hoffmann says

    October 23, 2015 at 10:25 am

    My boy is 11 and still turns the grocery store into a racetrack. This book looks like it will generate lots of smiles. Thanks for bringing it to our attention, Stacy!

    Reply
  7. Beth Anderson says

    October 23, 2015 at 10:27 am

    Perfect writing activity for kids! If you didn’t want to get gender specific, you could insert “like me” instead of boys/girls.

    Reply
  8. Catherine Johnson says

    October 24, 2015 at 5:36 am

    Ooh that sounds loads of fun. Super for boys and tomboys.

    Reply
  9. Clara Bowman-Jahn says

    October 24, 2015 at 6:41 am

    I love “What if” so interesting to see different takes of it in books. They say to use it to write your own books and some like this turn into a whole book.
    Great review. Thanks for introducing another book to me. 🙂

    Reply
  10. Keila Dawson says

    October 24, 2015 at 10:37 am

    Bet my boy would like this book too, and he’s 20! Add to my list. Thanks!

    Reply
  11. Sue Wang says

    October 24, 2015 at 2:11 pm

    I used to tell stories to Noah, that Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty owned race cars (each has a nice brand) and raced in a track, then they go somewhere else to get in trouble… If waffles were like boys, or Barbies are like boys. Just fun way to look at the world!

    Reply
  12. Sue Heavenrich says

    October 24, 2015 at 7:55 pm

    sounds like a fun way to get kids to use their imagination – by personification of breakfast food (or other things). But I think if Boys were like waffles they’d lay around on a plate and soak up syrup…

    Reply
  13. patientdreamer says

    October 26, 2015 at 11:34 am

    What a clever idea for a book. Great kid friendly I can imagine kids getting a kick out of it. Thanks Stacy.

    Reply
    • stacy says

      October 26, 2015 at 1:36 pm

      Can you tell we are in a tooting-phase at our house? hee hee

      Reply
  14. Lindsey McDivitt says

    October 30, 2015 at 2:33 pm

    My boy would have loved this picture book! I can’t think of one like it years ago. Fun idea!

    Reply
    • stacy says

      October 30, 2015 at 11:11 pm

      Thanks for stopping by. It’s a fun read.

      Reply

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