My choice for this week’s Perfect Picture Book Friday is CHALK by Bill Thomson.
Publishing: Two Lions, March 2010
Genre/Topic: Juvenile Fiction; Imagination
Intended Audience: 4 to 8
Opening Lines: There are none! This is a wordless picture book 🙂
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Brief Synopsis (from Amazon.ca):
A rainy day. Three kids in a park. A dinosaur spring rider. A bag of chalk. The kids begin to draw…and then…magic! The children draw the sun, butterflies, and a dinosaur that amazingly come to life. Children will never feel the same about the playground after they experience this astounding wordless picture book and the power of the imagination. Bill Thomson embraced traditional painting techniques and meticulously painted each illustration by hand, using acrylic paint and coloured pencils.
Why I Like This Book:
I shared this beautiful book with my class a couple of weeks ago on the recommendation of our teacher-librarian and I’m really happy I did. The illustrations are so lovely and gave my kids so much to talk about.
We had one of our best “grand conversations” after reading Chalk. My class was really in to trying to figure out whether or not the dinosaur actually came to life with the “magic” chalk. I have to admit, I kind of had to steer them a little bit into the possibility that the children in the story were using their imaginations:)
Links to Resources:
1. Here’s a sweet video created by a Grade 4 class. They added their own words to the story! Watch this with your class and then challenge them to do the same!
3. Encourage your children to use their imaginations through some simple drama activities. We had a drama expert working with our kids yesterday and she did Drama Stories with them. It’s super easy.
Divide your class in half (performers/audience). Whisper to the performers what they will be miming (eg., playing basketball). The audience watches quietly while the performers do their thing. Then the audience guesses what the mime was. These weren’t random guesses, though. Each guess had to be accompanied with an observation or two or three that led to the guess. My kids LOVED this activity.
4. Here’s a lovely chalk art lesson using wet chalk, white tempera paint and sharpies. You can find the directions at Kinder Art.
I hope you enjoyed these ideas.
Check out all my book reviews for kids!
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I love these ideas! I have had my kiddos outside using chalk all week. We've done math, art and reading on the sidewalk! My kiddos will love this book…It is already in my cart!JennyOwl Things First
Looks like a great read! We used chalk today to draw dandelions. ❀ TammyForever in First
I think it is time to break out the sidewalk chalk – after reading this book!sandirubberboots and elf shoes
I LOVE this book. I blogged about it last year. When I taught 3rd grade, I used it as a starting point for story writing. Since it is wordless they had the task of creating writing to go with the story. Thanks for the additional ideas link! EmilyK
Another great book! I can just imagine the conversations the kids would have after having read that book and then going out to draw their own chalk creations!LoriConversations in Literacy
I love wordless books! This is perfect- and what great ideas for kids here at the end of the year when they need to get outside more often. Thanks!~HeatherThe Meek Moose
Looks like a cute book ! Thanks for the idea!
I've had my eye on this book for awhile. I love wordless books! Thanks for the enticing review. I'll have to look for it now!
BARB~ While counting down the days until you redesign my blog, I was reading all my fave blogs and I saw your picture of Chalk! I LOVE THIS BOOK! So great, our kindergarten teacher shared it with me last year. I am holding a read aloud linky party starting tomorrow. It would be great if you would link up this post with the linky party. It goes live at midnight~ not that I think you will be waiting up! SidneyTeachingisagift
One of my top 10 favorite wordless books.LaurieChickadee Jubilee
Oh my goodness… my mind is going nuts with all of the wonderful lessons that could be done with this book! Thanks for sharing. I am definitely going to add this to my \”gotta get it\” list.
Barb…I LOVE your blog! I love the design, the attitude..I love love love it!!!You are on my list now!~NatalieP.S you are brave with those pastels!
Playing with chalk outside is the BEST!
Oooh, you should post those. I bet they're pretty.
Especially with the great weather we're having!
It's a good one! You're welcome for the other ideas:)
It's definitely a conversation starter:)
You're very welcome, Heather!
You're welcome, Renee!
Rhythm, you'll love it! It's easy to read ~ tee hee.
Thanks Sidney! I'm all linked up:)
You should post your other 9 favourite. I'd love to see what's out there with wordless books.
I know … it's one of those books. Our librarian has a knack for picking great ones.
Thanks, Natalie:))) I'm glad you dropped by.The pastels aren't actually that bad … though I make sure I'm not wearing my best clothes that day!