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Eloise



Last updated Thursday, November 17, 2011

Author: Kay Thompson
Illustrator: Hilary Knight
Date of Publication: 1969
ISBN: 9780671223502
Grade Level: 2nd    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Aug. 2011

Synopsis: Meet Eloise, the irrepressible six-year-old who lives with her British nanny, her dog Weenie, and her turtle Skipperdee in New York City's Plaza Hotel. Eloise makes a nuisance of herself -- riding elevators, dragging sticks along the walls as she roller-skates down the corridors, and "helping" the staff prepare rooms for official functions. Told from Eloise's perspective, readers will recognize the naughty impulses they always wanted to satisfy. Room service anyone?

Note to readers:
•  We suggest that the reader will read through the book quickly without many breaks to demonstrate Eloise’s frenetic pace. The more you as the reader get into the story the more the story will be exciting for the listeners.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Have you ever seen the movie Eloise?
•  Have you stayed in a hotel?
•  Where is New York?

Vocabulary Selection:
•  ENORMOUS -- greatly exceeding the common size, extent, etc.; huge; immense. outrageous or atrocious.
•  NUISANCE -- an obnoxious or annoying person, thing, condition, practice, etc. something offensive or annoying to individuals or to the community, especially in violation of their legal rights
•  SCUFFING -- to scrape (something) with one's foot or feet. To rub or scrape (one's foot or feet) over something. To mar by scraping or hard use, as shoes or furniture.
•  SKIDDER -- a person who is moving toward or has reached a less desirable status, condition, etc. A vagrant who lives on the streets or frequents skid row.
•  DEBUTANTES -- a young woman making a debut into society. Female stage actress making her first public performance.
•  KIMONO -- a loose, wide-sleeved robe, fastened at the waist with a wide sash, characteristic of Japanese costume. A woman's loose dressing gown.
•  CORSET -- Sometimes, corsets. A close-fitting undergarment, stiffened with whalebone or similar material and often capable of being tightened by lacing, enclosing the trunk: worn, especially by women, to shape and support the body; stays.

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  AT PAGE 13 -- Make sure you flip up the page for a surprise.
•  Have you ever been on a trip where you had to stay in a hotel/motel?
--If so, what kind of things did you see?
•  Do you know of anyone who is like Eloise?
•  What do you think Eloise will be when she finally grows up?

Craft ideas:
•  HAVE THE KIDS CHOSE THEIR FAVORITE PART IN THE BOOK AND ILLUSTRATE A PICTURE OF IT.
•  DRAW A PICTURE OF WHAT THE PLAZA WOULD LOOK LIKE NOW AND WHAT THINGS YOU WOULD FIND ON EACH FLOOR.
•  DRAW A PICTURE OF YOUR FAVORITE ANIMAL/PET THAT YOU WOULD HAVE IF YOU LIVED IN THE PLAZA

*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!