Harry and the Terrible Whatzit

Last updated Friday, July 23, 2004

Author: Dick Gackenbach
Illustrator: Dick Gackenbach
Date of Publication: 1979
ISBN: 0395287952
Grade Level: 1st
Date(s) Used: August 2004

Synopsis: When his mother goes to the cellar and doesn't return right away, Harry shoves aside his fears to search for her and confronts the terrible two-headed whatzit.

Discussion topics for before reading:

• Do you have a cellar in your house? What is a cellar?
• Are you afraid of monsters under the bed? What makes you scared?

Discussion topics for after reading:

• How do you get rid of a monster?
• What would you tell the next door neighbor boy to do?
• Is there anyhin g you used to be scared of? How did you stop?

Craft ideas:

• Make a terrible whatzit mask
• Make a broom bookmark

Special challenge:

• A la the latest Harry Potter movie, remember the things the children said they were afraid of, and work with them to come up with ways to make that thing funny, and therefore not so scary anymore. Use magic wands!

*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!