Pistes d'exploration

Brainstorm reasons why people might have to line up. What is the longest line you ever waited in? How did it feel? How did you pass the time?

As you read, write predictions on a sticky note as to why the animals might be lined up. Revise or confirm your predictions as you continue reading.

Create a tableau of the animals in line, with half the class as performers and half as audience. Bring the tableau to life and then freeze again at the teacher’s signal. What animals can the audience members identify?

Make a poster advertising the jumbo coaster or other exciting attraction. Use descriptive language to entice the animals to line up for it. Include practical information (price, hours of operation).

Discuss situations in which you may have to line up.

Brainstorm and list animals that you know. As you read, check off those animals that you see.

Note the verbal expressions said by the animals. In what other situations can they be used? Role play some of the expressions in different contexts.

Discuss how you would feel on a ride such as the one in the book. Choose an animal and write a sticky note speech bubble expressing its reaction to the ride. Put the sticky on the page where you think it belongs. Reread the story, including the animal comments.

The Line

Mots-clés

Humour , Picture book , animals , counting , onomatopoeias , patience , speech bubbles , surprise endings

Commentaire descriptif

This ingenious ode to patience, which offers mystery and anticipation, is sure to delight readers. The story begins at the end of the line, with 50, the frog. Language and image depict humorous exchanges between neighbours in the queue. The armadillo curls behind the skunk: “It stinks!” “Oops! Sorry . . .” “Please keep the line moving!” says the bird-guide. “But I’m scared,” says the sheep (23), keeping its distance from the wolf (22). Readers will love turning pages to travel further up the line of 50 different animal species. Boredom, hunger and nerves are among the many emotions portrayed through the dialogue and illustrations. Sweet, yet accurate depictions of animals are rendered with strong ink line effects and colour. The background includes only species’ names and order in the queue, emphasizing the brilliant simplicity of the book’s theme. Readers will appreciate the motivation for all this waiting when the animals board the back of a whale for a whirling roller-coaster ride of splashy fun. At the end, young readers may recognize themselves: “I want to go again!” “That felt good!” “I’m getting back in line!”