Shining Willow Nominee

Delicious Bug, The

By Janet Perlman.

Kids Can Press, 2009.
9781553379966 (hc)

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One delicious bug, two foolish chameleons, and a pair of hungry crocodiles. The rainforest animals watch as friends Willy and Wally become engaged in a battle over a tasty bug. As the conflict escalates, disaster approaches. Will peace be restored? Can Willy and Wally repair their friendship?

About the Author

Janet Perlman is from Montreal, QB

Visit the Author's website

Janet Perlman lives in Montreal and is a writer and director of short and funny animated films. Her work has received international acclaim, including an Oscar® nomination and many festival grand prizes. She has worked extensively with the National Film Board of Canada, and now has her own production company.

She is also a writer and illustrator of children's books, some of which have been based on her animated films. Cinderella Penguin, The Emperor Penguin's New Clothes and The Penguin and the Pea are all "penguinized" versions of well-known fairy tales. Her latest book, The Delicious Bug, will be published in 2009, and is based on her awardwinning film, Dinner For Two. It is not about penguins.

As a child Janet wanted to be a geologist or a stewardess. Her first job consisted of putting scented plastic roses into plastic bags. None of this portended a career in books and animation, but as an art school student she found that what she liked to do most was tell stories and draw. Janet now works in her home studio, where she creates most of her artwork on the computer.

Perlman has given workshops in animation all around the world, and has taught animation at Harvard and at the Rhode Island School of Design.

Visit the publisher's website, http://www.kidscanpress.com/

Book Reviews

Teacher Resources

Activity #1:

Discuss what the chameleons learned in this story.

1. Connect to self: Tell others of a time when you had to resolve a conflict.

2. Connect to text: What other books have you read that had to resolve a conflict?

3. Connect to world: Are there things happening in this world right now where conflict needs to be resolved?

Activity #2:

Create different endings from the point in the story when the bug gets away and they get into danger.

Activity #3:

Before Reading

The Delicious Bug focuses on friendship, caring, cooperation and sharing. Ask the children about a time when they have had to share with a friend. Was there ever a time when someone wouldn’t share with them? Why was this so? How did this make them feel? Show the students the front of the book. Ask them to describe what they see on the cover. Do they know what the two creatures are? Inform the students that they will be listening to a story about two chameleons who encounter a problem. Have the children predict the possible problems that may take place in this story.

During Reading:

When Willy and Wally find themselves fighting over the bumble bug, ask the children how this arguing makes the chameleons feel. What about the other marsh animals? Ask the children if they know what a “compromise” is. Discuss. How could these characters come to a compromise? What could be a solution to stop the fighting?

After Reading:

Ask the students what the author’s intent was for writing this book. What did she wants her readers to learn? Have the children share their favourite parts of the book. Would they recommend this book to other students? Why or why not?

Curriculum Connections:

Science:

Since the main characters, Willy and Wally, are chameleons, the class can research these creatures together. Brainstorm what information the children would like to know about chameleons: What do they eat? Where do they live? What are their physical characteristics? In conjunction with a unit on habitats, the classroom could be transformed into a one of the many habitats where chameleons reside.

Language Arts:

Have the children brainstorm/journal delicious meals or snacks that they would like to share with a friend.

Arts Education:

Supply the children with paper plates and plasticine. Have the students create the meal or snack that they wrote about in their journals. Present their meals to the class. Prepare a table with table cloth, cups, and a centerpiece for displaying their creations. Celebrate this “Dinner for Friends” by sharing drinks and a healthy snack with the class. CD & DD

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