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Abiyoyo



Last updated Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Author: Pete Seeger
Illustrator: Michael Hays
Date of Publication: 1986
ISBN: 0689846932
Grade Level: 1st    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Oct. 2007

Synopsis: A boy and his magician father are banished, but when the hungry monster Abiyoyo appears, it is the boy's ukulele playing and the father's magic that save the day.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Vocabulary: ukulele, ostracize, disappear, most precious possessions, fainted, foolish, grin, pasture, slobbery, stagger, magician
•  Who is the illustrator? Who is the author?
•  What do you think Abiyoyo is? What do you think the story is about?
•  What do you think that shadow might be? (Back cover)
•  What does it look like the father is doing? Does anyone in your family tell stories?
•  What do you think this instrument is?

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  The boy plays a ukulele? Do you play any instruments?
•  The father is a magician? Do you know any magic tricks?
•  Where does this story take place? Is it in the city like Los Angeles? Is it in the country?
•  Do you think the tricks that the father plays on people are funny? Are they nice? Do you play tricks on people? Do you like it when people play tricks on you?
•  What do you think happens when things disappear? Where do they go?
•  Look at the people in the village. What do you notice about them? Do they all look the same? Do they look different? What differences do you notice?
•  How do you think the boy and his father felt when they were ostracized? What happens to you when you do something that your mom or dad or teacher doesn’t like? How does it make you feel?
•  Why is the ground shaking? What do you think is happening?
•  When Abiyoyo comes, the men tell everyone to grab their most precious possessions. What are your most precious possessions that you would take with you in an emergency?
•  What would it sound like when you eat a sheep? A cow?
•  Have you ever seen a sheep? A cow?
•  What do you think the boy and his father are going to do when they go after Abiyoyo? Are they scared? Would you be scared of Abiyoyo? What did they take with them? Why?
•  What do you think Abiyoyo is going to do to the boy and his father when he starts to play the music? Does Abiyoyo like the music?
•  Why is the boy trying to make Abiyoyo dance? What happens when he dances?
•  What happened to Abiyoyo when he disappears? Where does he go?
•  After the boy and his father make Abiyoyo disappear, the people welcome them back to the town. Did they forgive them for causing problems?

Craft ideas:
•  Make a magic wand. Roll up a piece of black construction paper and tape the edge down. Cut two small strips of white paper to tape on each end.
•  BRING AHEAD OPTION: Rubber bands, paper cups or tissue/shoe box. Make a ukulele with cups/rubber bands/shoe box. First, decorate the box or cup. Next, wrap the rubber bands around the paper cup or tissue/shoe box. Pluck the rubberbands to make music.
•  Make an Abiyoyo mask. Use the description from the book to guide you on how to decorate it.

Special activities:
•  BRING AHEAD OPTION: There is a CD in the back of the book that you can play to listen to the Abiyoyo song (and story). You may want to bring a small, portable CD player to use.

*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!