Today’s PPBF post is in honor of Amy Krouse Rosenthal, a children’s author who left this world mu
ch too soon.
Title: ! (Exclamation Mark!)
Written by: Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Illustrated by: Tom Lichtenheld
Scholastic 2013
Suitable for ages: 4-8
Themes/topics: punctuation, fitting in
Opening:
He stood out from the very beginning.
Brief synopsis (from barnesandnoble.com)
He stood out here.
He stood out there.
He tried everything to be more like them.
It’s not easy being seen. Especially when you’re NOT like everyone else. Especially when what sets you apart is YOU.
Sometimes we squish ourselves to fit in. We shrink. Twist. Bend. Until — ! — a friend shows the way to endless possibilities.
In this bold and highly visual book, an emphatic but mis
placed exclamation point learns that being different can be very exciting! Period.
Activities and Resources:
An obvious choice for a punctuation lesson.
Writing: Write a story about another punctuation mark. Imagine what it’s like to be that mark.
Why I like LOVE this book:
It’s creative, hilarious, and endearing. And that’s a lot to say about a punctuation mark!
Thank you, Amy!
Visit Amy’s website.
An article from the Washington Post‘s Parenting column: “It’s OK to be OK: The subtle inspiration of Amy Krouse Rosenthal”
Visit author Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Books for a plethora of picture books listed by title and topic/theme, each with teacher/parent resources.
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