Pistes d'exploration

Identify the elements of the story, e.g. characters, plot, setting, details, etc. Record these elements on an anchor chart.

As a class, create a Venn diagram comparing this story with the original version of Little Red Riding Hood. 

The Basketball Pencil writes a story about sports. Brainstorm a list of pencils and topics they might write about (e.g. a Number Pencil might write about math). Bring in an unusual pencil from home. Write a story from its perspective.

“When in doubt: See something, say something, help others.” Do you agree with The Pencil’s School Rule statement? Share your thoughts with the class. In small groups, develop a short list of rules for your classroom.

Decide whether you agree with the Pencil School Rule: “When in doubt: See something, say something, help others.” Why or why not? In small groups, develop a short list of rules for your classroom.

Draw a plan of your school, including appropriate room names such as gymnasium, cafeteria, office, etc. Create a short story about what could happen to a pencil in your school or classroom. 

Using ideas from the book, write a list of suggestions about how to write a good story. Make a poster and hang it in the class. 

Find all the funny pencil-related words throughout the book.

Carmine: A Little More Red

Mots-clés

Humour , Picture book , creativity , fractured stories , grammar , Red Riding Hood , school life , writing

Commentaire descriptif

This reworking of Little Red Riding Hood is all about the joy of words and transforming them into stories. One day at school, Little Red (a pencil) and her classmates are asked to write a story. The teacher shows them the basic path of a story and gives Little Red a basket of words, warning her to not get lost in her storytelling. Little Red tries to stay on track but has difficulty keeping the plot exciting and encounters dangers such as run-on sentences. She passes through a forest of adjectives for inspiration on her way to visit Principal Granny, but when she realizes that Granny is someone else in disguise, she must find the courage to confront the impostor. The author uses every opportunity to explore elements of grammar and storytelling, introducing adverbs, conjunctions and punctuation. The book is laid out in a playful and dynamic way so that readers can recognize the components that make up a story. Even as Little Red is trying to piece together her story, she is also part of her own adventure. Through it she learns the valuable lesson that life follows its own path and can serve as the best inspiration.