Hooray for Amanda and Her Alligator

Hooray for Amanda and Her Alligator
by Mo Willems

Much like Elephant and Piggie books the kids liked, it seems like Amanda and Her Alligator collection has tickled them enough to urge me to share it here.

Little girl Amanda has a toy alligator, as the title suggests. And the conversations and interactions between them make up the 6½ stories. It is an early reader chapter book presented like a picture book, making the reading transition easier and fun.

But, as with Willem's other books, it is the pared down simplicity of words and images as well as the active imagination that made this book one of my recent favorite reads for the children.

The continual message of reading is subtly yet notably brought out by the first statement in each story.

Amanda was at her library getting her books for the week.
Amanda was reading her new library book How to Raise a Tiger when her alligator snuck into the room
Amanda was reading her new library book You Can Make It Yourself: jet Packs! when she noticed her alligator chewing on her head.

Boos, surprises, and tickles, how can kids not respond to these universal themes. The heart-warming part for all of us is when Amanda says the sweetest thing when alligator finds out that he was in the Sale bucket at the store because nobody wanted to buy him:
No one wanted to buy you because they knew you were meant to be my best friend.

[image source: Mo Willems Stuff]

I Broke My Trunk

I Broke My Trunk
by Mo Willems

When I heard, "Mama! You have to read this! This is so funny!", followed by "Can we take it home? I can read it to Og, he will find it very silly", there was no room for any counter-thoughts for me, and so we promptly borrowed it from the library.

Willems' Pigeon somehow did not hit off well with the kids. However, his Elephant and Piggie seem to tickle them silly. I Broke My Trunk happens to be the current favorite in the series.

With simple illustrations that convey not just the story but also the characters' feelings, along with spare text for early readers, Willems' books seem to resonate with the kids.

Gerald broke his trunk. Piggie wants to know how he broke it. Gerald says it's a long and crazy story. And shares it in the typical way that mimics how children usually communicate.

Gerald: Then, I had an idea! I wanted to lift Hippo onto my trunk!
Piggie: Why?
Gerald: Because!
Piggie: Okay.

But, no, it is not Hippo, or Hippo's big sister (really BIG sister), or Rhino, or all of them plus the piano that broke his trunk. It sure is a long and crazy story, and in the end, Piggie might have a long and crazy story of her own to share.

When the recently-turned-3 year old asked, "Mama, why is the Pigeon here in the Elephant book?", I was glad he noticed Pigeon's visit and made some sort of connection between them.

[image source: Pigeon Presents!]