All pictures used with permission from Stephen McCranie :)
The 1st and 2nd graders enjoyed a great treat this past Friday. They "Skyped" with the one and only Stephen McCranie! He is the author and illustrator of the three books in the Mal and Chad series. These are great transition books from picture books to chapter books as they are chapter books BUT they are also graphic novels (aka they have a comic format). Another reason these books are so great is that students who struggle reading certain words will have visual clues to what the words are. Therefore, it will acclimate them to new vocabulary words while they are having fun reading with the pictures!
Should you read this?: Yes, for reasons above and who doesn't want to read about a genius boy and his sidekick dog creating crazy new inventions with hilarity and craziness that follows? Also, there are good morals to each story :)
Story Rating: Four out of Five Robots as it is well written and is a good page turner.
Art Rating: Four out of Five Paintbrushes. He does a great job with his expressive illustrations :)
Grade/Age Level: Grade 1+ (This will also depend on your student's reading level.)
Can I find it in the Primary School Library? Yes! Ask Ms. Pantzlaff for one of these great titles in our library OR she is also taking orders until THIS THURSDAY (November 21st) for a discounted price :) You can see his three great titles below.
Should you read this?: Yes, for reasons above and who doesn't want to read about a genius boy and his sidekick dog creating crazy new inventions with hilarity and craziness that follows? Also, there are good morals to each story :)
Story Rating: Four out of Five Robots as it is well written and is a good page turner.
Art Rating: Four out of Five Paintbrushes. He does a great job with his expressive illustrations :)
Grade/Age Level: Grade 1+ (This will also depend on your student's reading level.)
Can I find it in the Primary School Library? Yes! Ask Ms. Pantzlaff for one of these great titles in our library OR she is also taking orders until THIS THURSDAY (November 21st) for a discounted price :) You can see his three great titles below.
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I had the 1st and 2nd graders write out questions to ask Stephen McCranie. He was nice enough to answer the top ten questions I received from students here.
1) What is your favorite color? I like all the colors, because I use all of them to draw with!
2) How long does it take you to draw out and write a book? About 8 months! 3 months to write the story, and 6 months to draw it.
3) How young were you when you made your first book? I made my first comics when I was only five or six-- before I even knew how to write. I would draw the pictures and then have my mom write in the words. I didn't make a full book though until I was 22 or 23.
4) What is your favorite food? Again, I like all foods! I can't think of any kind of food that I particularly don't like. If I had to pick though, I'd say my favorite food is sushi.
5) Have you gone on any trips? I've been to and live in Japan three times.
6) What is your favorite Halloween costume? My friend dressed up as Sully from Monsters Inc. That was really cool.
7) What is your favorite kid's book (from when you were a kid) (at the age you are now)? When I was a kid I loved Garfield. Now that I'm older I like Bone, by Jeff Smith.
8) How old are you? 26
9) Do you watch movies to come up with picture/story ideas? Sometimes-- I study movies to see how they tell good stories.
10) When did you start writing? I've been making up and writing stories since I was little.
1) What is your favorite color? I like all the colors, because I use all of them to draw with!
2) How long does it take you to draw out and write a book? About 8 months! 3 months to write the story, and 6 months to draw it.
3) How young were you when you made your first book? I made my first comics when I was only five or six-- before I even knew how to write. I would draw the pictures and then have my mom write in the words. I didn't make a full book though until I was 22 or 23.
4) What is your favorite food? Again, I like all foods! I can't think of any kind of food that I particularly don't like. If I had to pick though, I'd say my favorite food is sushi.
5) Have you gone on any trips? I've been to and live in Japan three times.
6) What is your favorite Halloween costume? My friend dressed up as Sully from Monsters Inc. That was really cool.
7) What is your favorite kid's book (from when you were a kid) (at the age you are now)? When I was a kid I loved Garfield. Now that I'm older I like Bone, by Jeff Smith.
8) How old are you? 26
9) Do you watch movies to come up with picture/story ideas? Sometimes-- I study movies to see how they tell good stories.
10) When did you start writing? I've been making up and writing stories since I was little.
On to the the PRIZE!!! Couple of things before you enter the rafflecopter below. Only one book will be given out at the end of the giveaway. I did NOT use any art program money to purchase the signed book. If you are from the Luxemburg-Casco School District you MUST ENTER YOUR GRADE AND TEACHER'S NAME or you will unfortunately be disqualified. If you are not in the Luxemburg-Casco School District you must enter your email address or you will be disqualified. Email addresses will only be used to contact the winner and nothing else, no lists, or any forwarded puppy videos :)
 Cartoon Self-Portrait | You can check out his mal and chad website at http://malandchad.com/ or his personal website at http://stephenmccranie.com/
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