From: sharon senser <dearanxiety>
Date: Thu, 1 Feb 2007 11:26:06 -0800

I haven't attempted to use Flotsam in a group setting, partially because of a bad experience with Three Little Pigs (which I blame entirely on my misguided self and not on the wonderful book). I have a great time with wordless pictures books one on one (or one on two or three or four) and a harder time in large groups. I do think they are a fabulous resource for using in emergent/early literacy programs, especially where you are breaking out in smaller groups, doing modelling for parents, or just having parents sit with children and tell stories. I like to set up little stations with different activities for parents/caregivers and children to do together, and a worldless picture book station is always a hit for storytelling.

It's also fun with older children, because their stories tend to stray beyond the illustrations into their own imaginations. Paired with a
"make your own wordless story" craft, they are fabulous!

All that said, I loved Flotsam. I think Weisner went a step beyond what he's done in the past in terms of truly transporting the reader into another world, and also in terms of potential stories the illustrations might be telling.

I also loved Moses. The faces seemed very real and the lighting so revealing...just gorgeous.

Still haven't seen Gone Wild, but I look forward to having the chance to look at it soon!

Sharon Senser
(Oakland Public Library - Melrose Branch)
Received on Thu 01 Feb 2007 01:26:06 PM CST