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The Three Little Aliens and the Big Bad Robot
Last updated Monday, January 10, 2022
Author: Margaret McNamara
Illustrator: Mark Fearing
Date of Publication: 2011
ISBN: 0375866892
Grade Level: 2nd (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jan. 2022
Synopsis:
REEP BOINK MEEP! The three little aliens are happily settling into their new homes when the Big Bad Robot flies in to crack and smack and whack their houses down! Sound familiar? A chase across the solar system follows in this humorous and visually stunning book. The endpapers even include a labeled diagram of all the planets.
| Note to readers: |
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The Three Little Aliens and the Big Bad Robot is a retelling of the classic children’s tale The Three Little Pigs, re-imagined in outer space. Three little aliens are sent by their mother to find a planet of their own to live on. Subsequently, each little alien settles on a different planet, with the third little alien considering all aspects of what will be needed to build a home that is safe from the big, bad robot, who eventually cracks, smacks, and whacks, but can’t knock the house down. Children will love discovering the similarities and differences between this re-imagined version of the story and the original. The illustrations provide plenty of material for making comparisons and contrasting the personalities of the three little aliens who have one, two, and three eyes respectively. The third little alien’s name is constructed entirely of consonants, which makes it hard to sound out, underscoring the importance of vowels in the English language. Here, we share a few ideas for discussion and reflection before reading, during reading, and after reading.
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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Read the title of the book. Ask: Does this title remind you of any other stories you’ve heard? (The Three Little Pigs)
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What do you think this story will be about? (Take several predictions.)
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To build background knowledge before reading the story, review the illustrations of the planets on the inside front and back endpapers. Name each planet in order and ask children to share what they know about each one.
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Ask if children notice any differences between the illustration on the front endpaper and the one on the back endpaper (the front shows one house on Mercury and the back shows a second house on Neptune). Read the Author’s Note on the last page to set the scene.
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Write the names of the little aliens on the white board. Point out that two of the names rhyme (Bork and Gork), but the other is made up only of consonant letters, so it is difficult to pronounce (Nklxwcyz). Let children take turns trying to say the third name. Decide together how it will be read. Suggestion: NICKEL (like the metal) WITZ (Witz keeps his "wits" about him)
Vocabulary:
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crater: a large bowl-shaped hole in the ground caused by an explosion or crash
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eon: a really long time equal to a billion years
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meteor: a piece of space rock or metal that burns up when it enters the Earth’s atmosphere
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satellite: a machine that is sent into space to go around a planet and collect information - also anything that orbits a star or planet
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galaxy: a very large group of stars
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solar panel: a flat piece of material that collects heat from the sun to make electricity
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comet: a space object made up of dust and ice that develops a bright, glowing tail when it moves close to the sun
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black hole: an area in space with super strong gravity that makes it impossible for anything inside to escape
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telescope: a tube with lenses that can be looked through to see objects that are far-away
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asteroid: a small, rocky space object that moves around the sun
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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What do you notice about each little alien? (One is on a laptop, one has a ball, and one is reading a book; One has one eye, one has two eyes, and one has three eyes, etc.)
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Who can remind us of the names of the planets? (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune)
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Which planet has Bork chosen to live on? What will she live in? (Mars, a rover)
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How does Nklxwycz feel about Bork’s choice? (He thinks they should stick together)
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Which planet has Gork chosen to live on? What will he live in? (Saturn, a satellite)
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How does Nklxwycz feel about Gork’s choice? (He thinks living on a one of Saturn’s rings will make Gork dizzy)
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What do you think of the Big, Bad, Robot? (Take a few responses)
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What are some of the materials Nklxwycz uses to build his house? (sturdy rocks, stardust, solar panels, a telescope)
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How is Nklxwycz’s house different from the homes of his sister and brother? (It is not as fast or as fun, but it is safe)
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| Craft ideas: |
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Make an alien headband! How many eyes does your alien have? Like each of the 3 little aliens - they each have a different number of eyes! See our Pinterest board for simple instructions. < href="https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/january-2022-mysteries-new-adventures/2ndthe-three-little-aliens-and-the-big-bad-robot/"Target="_blank">https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/january-2022-mysteries-new-adventures/2ndthe-three-little-aliens-and-the-big-bad-robot/
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Make a toilet paper roll alien kid. You can use these ideas for Minions, but to match them to the story color them green instead of yellow. Idea is on our Pinterest board.
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Check our craft ideas on Pinterest!
https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/january-2022-mysteries-new-adventures/
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*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!
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