Pistes d'exploration

Discuss the advice given to Eva as she searches for a writing topic. Record the advice on chart paper and discuss how you can use it in your writing.

Brainstorm a list of things to write about. Post the list and add to it often.

Walk through the school hallways and record things you see and hear. Use these observations as story-starters.

Explore the descriptions of the characters Eva meets. Write a description of someone in the class and let your classmates guess who it is.

Imagine a What if...? story about the people in your class or neighbourhood, or the people from the book Madlenka.

Discuss the advice given to Eva as she searches for a writing topic. Record the advice on chart paper and discuss how to use it in your writing.

Brainstorm a list of things to talk or write about. Post the list and add to it often.

Walk through the school hallways and record things you see and hear. Use these observations as story-starters.

Explore the descriptions of the characters Eva meets. Write a description of someone in the class and let your classmates guess who it is.

Imagine a What if...? story about the people in your class or neighbourhood, or the people from the book Madlenka.

Madlenka, Me and Mr. Mah, LMNO Peas, A Street Through Time

Mots-clés

Picture book , city life , community , neighbours , occupations , writing

Commentaire descriptif

This book offers much thoughtful advice on the art and craft of writing, while developing an elaborate plot and finish that will satisfy even the most action-oriented readers. Eva is trying to write something, but nothing inspires her. The dense language in this lengthy story is rich with telling detail, and every one of Eva’s eccentric neighbours has writing advice: the actor tells her to “observe the players carefully.” The dancer says a writer can “stretch the truth.” Kind Mrs. Martinez gives Eva a bowl of her delicious soup, suggesting Eva take her story and “Mix it. Stir it. Make something happen.” Lush illustrations in painting and collage provide an ideal stage for the surreal and slapstick nature of the story’s climax: When a pizza delivery goes awry, an actor finds a job, a dancer finds true love, and the whole neighbourhood cooperates to save a cat. Young readers will no doubt enthusiastically agree with the story’s final critique: “Full of detail. Dialogue. Suspense. A bit of poetry. A hint of romance. Even a happy ending.”