It’s Perfect Picture Book Friday once again! And today, we’re stepping back on memory lane to the game of Telephone!
I was one of twenty-three fidgety kids lined up between the overflowing supplies cabinet and the smelly, gerbil cage in Mrs. Larson’s third-grade class, waiting for instructions on how to play the game, Telephone.
“Think up a message,” Mrs. Larson told the first student in line, “and whisper it to the person standing next to you. Keep the message going down the line to the last person. She’ll say what she heard, and we’ll see how close it comes to the original message.”
Of course, knowing the end message was expected to be a far cry from the original, most kids tweaked more than a few words while whispering their ear-tickling messages behind cupped hands.
This fun game of Telephone is the basis for today’s Perfect Picture Book Friday (PPBF) review.
Title – Telephone
Written by – Mac Barnett
Illustrated by – Jen Corace
Published by – Chronicle Books – 2014
Suitable for ages – 3-7
Topics/Theme – listening skills
Opening – Tell Peter: Fly home for dinner. Tell Peter: Hit pop flies and homers.
Amazon Review – View it HERE. It’s time to fly home for dinner! In this witty picture book from award-winning and bestselling author Mac Barnett, a mother bird gives the bird next to her a message for little Peter. But passing messages on a telephone line isn’t as simple as it sounds. Each subsequent bird understands Mama’s message according to its own very particular hobbies. Will Peter ever get home for dinner? This uproarious interpretation of a favorite children’s game will get everyone giggling and is sure to lead to countless rereads.
Learn about Mac Barnett HERE.
Lear about Jen Corace HERE.
Find more “Perfect Picture Book Friday” reviews at Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog HERE.
What childhood games are you fondly recalling? I’d love for you to share them in the comments.
Mac Barnett is one of those picture book authors where with each new book I think, Darn, why didn’t I think of that?
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I know! I know! I thought the very same thing when I read this book.
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Same!
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If you check out this book, Cathy, I hope you enjoy it! I thought it was super funny!
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One of my favorite games as a child. Does take parents down memory lane. Such a great idea for a book. If it’s Mac Barnett, it has to be a fun book for kids.
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That’s just what I thought when I saw Mac Barnett’s name on the cover. The book is definitely fun!
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I agree — why didn’t I think of that?! I loved telephone as a kid and my kids love the game, too. It’s time to place yet another hold at the library!
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I know… I see these titles and wonder, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Chalk up another success for the brilliant, Mac Barnett!
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Seeing this book again gives me anew idea for Storytime – thanks!
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You’re welcome, Julie! This is truly a fun and clever book. I hope your little listeners enjoy it!
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What a great story idea! Will be on the lookout for this one!
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I was so excited to see this new book by Mac Barnett. I just had to share it for PPBF. I hope you like it!
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Great book! Glad you reminded me of this book. I love Mac Barnett and his wicked sense of humor. 😉
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Hi, Maria! If you like Mac Barnett’s books, this gem is pretty darned clever! It’s one of those books that gets writers thinking, “Why didn’t I think of this?”
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