Yesterday, we ran out of time to do our afternoon picture book read aloud. But . . . I had already showed the trailer for Any Questions? by Marie-Louise Gay and students were eager to read it.
“Aww!” they exclaimed when I announced we didn’t have time. “Tomorrow?”
Tomorrow was today and we had an all day field trip to Science World, but I thought we might be back in time and put Read Aloud in our day plan pocket chart.
“That book? Will we read it today, Ms. Gelson?” I was asked many times.
We returned to school with 23 minutes before the bell. Coats away. Carpet. Mindful breathing. Time for a read aloud. But just! Within minutes, the room was quiet. Students were captured. We entered Marie-Louise Gay‘s imagination, learned about her story conjuring process and heard a wonderful story . . .
I read the last word at 2:59 p.m. and students rushed to tell me favourite parts:
“I like the giant because he is so huge. And the purple beast!”
“I saw Stella and Sam I think.”
“It was funny that the monster’s name was Fluffy!”
“I like all of the details and speech bubbles. I know she wrote it but it kinda seemed like kids wrote it.”
“I spotted a little Stella! I did.”
Rushing kids out the door heading out to do afternoon supervision, I still had the book in my hand. Near the playground, talk about the book continued:
“My favourite part was the end pages – it looks like she dipped markers in water.”
“I like all of the little stories inside of the book.”
“Do we get to read it again tomorrow? I want to look at all of the answers in the back.”
I used the book to cheer up someone who had fallen.
“Do you want to see a purple beast?”
Look at this smile!
Then I started getting requests.
“Can I see that book too? What was the page you just showed?”
I, of course, was happy to share. But when I asked for the book back, others were not happy to return it 🙂
However, after the book love could be shared with some others . . . I got my book back. Isn’t that how it should be? Stories are meant to be shared and shared and shared.
Got it? Because if you have any questions, here’s the book for that:
Any Questions? by Marie Louise Gay is a perfect book to celebrate for Picture Book Month
There's a Book for That 
What a delightful experience! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Norah! It was a lovely reading experience with a truly special book.
I just read it two days ago and it’s sitting in a bag right next to me, ready to be returned to the library. I like books that explore the craft (and art and creativity) of story writing. So nice to hear that your students enjoyed the book as well.
I love books like this too that allow students to think about how a story comes together. It is a wonderful book!
Book sharing! The best activity ever! Maybe next to tennis.
Well we have tennis week coming up! Maybe we should play and then read and invite you to join us 🙂
Now that would be fun indeed!!!!
I love this whole post. Nothing brings me more joy than when kids clamber all over each other to get to a new book and look at particular parts. Thanks for sharing.
This is a winner – each page full of treasures!