Pistes d'exploration

Talk about surprise parties. Why do people have them? Have you ever been to one? Have you ever had one?

Write the story of what happens after Raccoon runs away from the pizza party.

Write an advertisement for a pizza you would love to eat.

Look at the cover of the book and predict what the story will be about. What does Raccoon look like? How do we know the party is a secret?

Retell the story and talk about what happens after Raccoon runs away from the pizza party.

Write an entry in Raccoon’s diary from his point of view.

Tea Rex, Exploring the World of Raccoons

Mots-clés

Humour , Picture book , manners , parties , pizza , raccoons , secrets

Commentaire descriptif

Raccoon adores pizza but his attempts to get some (by stealing it) always lead to his being chased off with a broom. When he comes across a Secret Pizza Party that looks like much more fun than his own private party, he attempts to sneak in. This book is short on words and long on illustrations. Pizza lovers of all ages will relate to the passages that sing the praises of pizza, “So convenient, you could eat it in the bathtub,” and explain the allure of doing something in secret “Regular staircase: Tiring. Secret staircase: Terrific!” Interestingly, the reader is invited to become an active part of the story when Raccoon is addressed in the first-person: “I just had a great idea! Let’s throw a pizza party . . . .” The tidy cartoon-like illustrations bring more to the story than the words alone (e.g. Raccoon’s obsession is revealed through the pizza-themed bedspread, artwork, lampshade and diary in his room). The illustrations alternate between elaborate two-page spreads and smaller snippets that stand out on a clean white background. Because the action takes place at night, the colour palette highlights black, dark grey and midnight blue.