Here’s my selection for Perfect Picture Book Friday:
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.
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.
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.
And, it would be super helpful if I would get my title correct in my post. It’s fixed now. 🙂 Thanks.
Must read it! Thanks!
It’s a fun concept.
Love your idea of comparable books, too. I always like these What if scenarios and kids get it so well.
I know. There are several out there and they are great to read.
Wonderful premise for a kids book. I hadn’t heard of this but will definitely check it out. Thanks for the review.
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.
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!
Perfect writing activity for kids! If you didn’t want to get gender specific, you could insert “like me” instead of boys/girls.
Ooh that sounds loads of fun. Super for boys and tomboys.
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. 🙂
Bet my boy would like this book too, and he’s 20! Add to my list. Thanks!
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!
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…
What a clever idea for a book. Great kid friendly I can imagine kids getting a kick out of it. Thanks Stacy.
Can you tell we are in a tooting-phase at our house? hee hee
My boy would have loved this picture book! I can’t think of one like it years ago. Fun idea!
Thanks for stopping by. It’s a fun read.