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The Snatchabook



Last updated Monday, January 12, 2015

Author: Helen Docherty
Illustrator: Thomas Docherty
Date of Publication: 2013
ISBN: 1402290829
Grade Level: Kindergarten    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jan. 2015

Synopsis:
Where have all the bedtime stories gone?

One dark, dark night in Burrow Down, a rabbit named Eliza Brown found a book and settled down...when a Snatchabook flew into town.

It's bedtime in the woods of Burrow Down, and all the animals are ready for their bedtime story. But books are mysteriously disappearing. Eliza Brown decides to stay awake and catch the book thief. It turns out to be a little creature called the Snatchabook who has no one to read him a bedtime story. All turns out well when the books are returned and the animals take turns reading bedtime stories to the Snatchabook.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Do your parents read you bedtime stories?
•  What are the stories that your parents read to you about? In the book, the characters listen to stories about dragons, witches, pirates and princesses.
•  What do you like about story time?
•  What would you do if things from your bedroom started disappearing?

Vocabulary:
•  thief - one who steals
•  chink - a narrow slit or crack
•  bare - empty; without the usual furnishings, contents, etc.
•  bait - food, or some substitute, used to attract animals to a hook or into a trap
•  amends - something done by a person to make up for a loss or injury he or she has caused

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Have you ever taken something that belonged to someone else? How would you feel if someone took something that belonged to you?
•  Do you believe that animals can read? If they could, do you think their parents would read to them?
•  What would you do if you caught the Snatchabook stealing your books?
•  What stories do you think are the Snatchabook's favorite?

Craft ideas:
•  Make your own Snatchabook or Eliza Brown (the rabbit). Using construction paper, cut out a circle for the head & triangles (Snatchabook) or ovals (the rabbit) for the ears. Use a wider circle for the body. Draw on its face & limbs. Remember wings & a tail for the Snatchabook, & a tail for the rabbit (use cotton balls, or construction paper).
•  Make a colorful bird. You can use the template provided, or cut out shapes for the body of the bird. Cut out and glue tail feathers to the body, and a rounded triangle for the wing. Draw on eyes and a beak. For the bird template, visit: http://www.chroniclebooks.com/landing-pages/papercraft/pdfs/birdieMobile.pdf.

Special activities:
•  For added fun, have the kids attach coffee stirrers or popsicle sticks to their creatures and reenact scenes from the book!

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!