Author/Illustrator: Scott Nash
Publisher: Candlewick Press, 2016
Age: 5-8
Themes: classics, literature, humorous stories
Opening: Introducing: the Versizer! The book you are holding in your hands is a marvel of squishy science. After many years of mulling and figuring, I have developed a device called the Versizer that will transform lengthy novels, myths, and epic poems into delightful nuggets of nonsense.
Summary: (from my library catalog) The plots of nine classic stories are summarized in this collection of silly verses.
Why I like this book: Such a fun introduction to literary classics! The bright and adorable illustrations add light-hearted amusement to these ‘shrunken’ interpretations of some heavy tales. After having analyzed a number of them in high school, I believe my adult kids would love to read these too! (ps – in case there is a curious botanist amongst us, the late afternoon shadows grew from Cornus stolonifera, or Yellow-twig dogwood)
Resources/Activities: Discuss what makes a story, poem or book a classic; draw your own favorite characters; write your own shrunken poems about favorite fairy tales or fables.
For more Perfect Picture Book picks with teacher/parent resources, check out the list on Susanna Hill’s blog HERE.