Z is for Zack's Alligator: library notes

I have had this book for a very long time!  I love the narrative.  It is a story that was worth telling and is a good example for older children working on fictional writing skills.  It is a boy's account but is it fact or fiction? Where do the two intersect?

The book by Shirley Mozelle opens with the arrival of a package.  It was unexpected and exciting to open.  Inside one box was another.  The gift?  An alligator keychain with instructions.  It took a child's perspective to see more than just the keychain and to faithfully follow the instructions with anticipation that was rewarded!

My son Zechariah has an Uncle Jim which made this book fun to read too.  The uncle (Jim) wrote Zack a note in the book.  For children learning to read and write, sending or receiving a note is a good step towards longer written pieces.  Maybe you could encourage your child to send a note or postcard to someone today.

The note included an instruction.  Maybe you could help your child work on writing out instructions for something.  For example, how to feed their goldfish or how to get to the park. Or maybe you could start using sticky notes for instructions on what to do.  For example, Put out the garbage. Brush your teeth. Put away your toys before snack. Feed the cat. and so on.  Simple, easy-to-do tasks that encourage follow through making the child both productive and successful.  Perhaps sometimes there may be a hidden reward in the instruction like there was for Zack.  For example, a small treat waiting for them in the laundry room when they get there with their dirty clothes.

An idea specific to this book is one of those toys that grow when you put them in water.  It won't move like this alligator did except maybe in your child's imagination!  However, it will grow when watered which is always entertaining.  You can add math to it by measuring how much the object grows over even periods of time.  Check the instructions to see if yours is expected to grow 100% in an hour or 500% over 72hours and set up a plan to evaluate the accuracy of the growth estimate.

The book covers bath time, snack time and outdoor play. If your child has a toy alligator, maybe he/she can re-enact the story through these daily activities.  Compare what Zack made for her to eat and the diet of a real alligator in the Florida Everglades.  Did he provide good choices?  Consider what they did at the park.  Would your child like to go to the park and try those activities? Were they good choices for an alligator?

You can practice predictions with this book.  Will Brigit like her bath?  What will she want for her snack?  What will she do when they go outside?  What will happen next?

These are a few ideas of how you can interact with this "I can read" Level 2 book. There are many more that your child may come up with.  For example, near the end of the book Bridget sings a song. Maybe your child would also like to make up a song too!  The key is to enjoy books, ideas, conversations and time spent with the child(ren) in your life!