Author/Illustrator: Alan Armstrong
Plot Summary: A stray cat gets adopted and brought to live in a barn with a host of "talking" animals. He is cared for by a boy and girl and their grandparents. In addition to helping keep harmony in the barn, the cat tells a intricate tale of his relationship to Dick Wittington's cat, a legendary figure of English folklore. In addition to helping the animals, he also encourages the boy in his struggles with learning to read with dyslexia.
Comments: This was a really interesting book and would make a great read-aloud for fourth through sixth or seventh grade. I have just started to investigate the phenomenon of Dick Wiitington as part of the English culture. The book has rich vocabulary and is multi-facted both in folklore or legends as well as English history. It would be a good way to illustrate the evolution of folklore or legends.
Extensions: (All Extensions taken from the Educator's Guide found in the Teacher's Edition of the book. Addtional ideas are available.)
1. Students will do research in the library or using the Internet to find the real story of Dick Whittington. They will share their stories and sources with the class.
2. Students will compare and contrast the history of Dick Whittington with the legends of Dick Whittington.
3. Analyze select vocabulary words as they relate to barn life versus medieval life. Such words may include obsidian eye(p.2), moored dory(p.5), preen(p.8), paddock(p.11), farrier(p.12), chiropractory(p.30), luxuriance(p.31), inaudible(p. 37), cartage(p.68) and stanchion(p.73).
Themes/keywords: family, abandonment, courage, love, decision-making, independence, loneliness
Age/Reading Level: Interest Level - 3-6; ATOS - 4.9; Follett-4.4; Lexile - 760.
Standards:
ELA4R1/ELA5R1/ELA6R1 The student demonstrates comprehension and shows evidence of a
warranted and responsible explanation of a variety of literary and informational
texts.
ELA4R3/ELA5R3/ The student understands and acquires new vocabulary and uses it correctly in reading and writing.
ELA6RC3 The student acquires new vocabulary in each content area and uses it
correctly.
ELA4W1/ELA5W1/ELA6W1 The student produces writing that establishes an appropriate organizational structure, sets a context and engages the reader, maintains a coherent focus throughout, and signals a satisfying closure.
ELA4W2/ELA5W2/ELA6W2 The student demonstrates competence in a variety of genres.
ELA4W3/ELA5W3/ELA6W3 The student uses research and technology to support writing.
Publisher's Info: Yearling, p2006, c2005
ISBN-13: 978-0-375-82865-2
ISBN-10: 0-375-82865-6
Awards/Review Sources:
Wilson's Children 10/01/06 | Newbery Medal/Honor 01/23/06 |
| School Library Journal starred 08/01/05 | Notable/Best Books (A.L.A.) 01/01/06 |
| Horn Book starred 04/01/06 | Kirkus Review starred 07/01/05 |
| Booklist 05/15/05 | Horn Book 04/01/06 |
Genre/Dewey: Fiction
Websites:
A story website including the legend of Dick Wittington: http://www.longlongtimeago.com/llta_folktales_dickwhittington.html - The website has other great tales and fables.
This looks like some sort of British theater version of the Dick Wittington legend: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PobQjbM6SEE&feature=related
Notes for Booktalk:
Vocabulary:
Comments