"The LLama Who Had No Pajama" by Mary Ann Hoberman

Summary of The Llama Who Had No Pajama by Hoberman
This collection of poems by Hoberman includes a variety of subjects that kids will enjoy.  Focusing on activities and animals children love, the author provides a great introduction to the form of poetry.  Additional features are the illustrations by Fraser, which contribute to the child-friendly nature of the poems. 

Hoberman, M. (1998). The Llama Who Had No Pajama.  New York, NY:  Browndeer Press, Harcourt Brace & Company.

Personal Evaluation of The Llama Who Had No Pajama by Hoberman
What a fun read-aloud volume for young children to enjoy!  The words are simple and the illustrations kid-friendly. The variety of rhyming schemes and placement of words on the page contribute to the tone of these poetic creations. The author knows what small children like, with many of the poems circling around animals and common activities. Occasional humor adds to the reading experience. This is a delightful selection for toddlers through early elementary school age children.

Reviews of The Llama Who Had No Pajama by Hoberman
"Hoberman's poems, accompanied by Fraser's illustrations, have been delighting children for 40 years. Now, many poems from their out-of-print books are available in this satisfying collection. The selections are mostly humorous, sometimes contemplative, and deal with animals, family, play, and plain silliness. Hoberman's rhythms are lively and agile, and her imagination and sense of humor are still in tune with young readers. Fraser's simple but detailed gouache and watercolor illustrations exhibit the same qualities. The layout is masterfully varied and never overwhelms the poems. There is a table of contents as well as an index of first lines. Good for beginning or experienced readers of poetry, this should indeed become a favorite."
Review by Nina Lindsay, Vista School, Albany, CA for School Library Journal and Retrieved from Barnes & Noble.

"Although perhaps best taken in small doses, this collection of some forty years of Hoberman verse is a charmer. The poems-peppy verses immediately identifiable as Hoberman's by their use of alliteration and repeated words and lines-seem to cover every subject under the sun; all are dependably child-centered. There are insect riddles ("A big buzz / In a little fuzz") and animal tongue-twisters ("O gaze on the graceful gazelle as it grazes") as well as an ode to slippers and a paean to the versatility of applesauce. The ordering of poems is pleasingly informal but thoughtful. Further bonuses are Betty Fraser's delicate yet merry watercolors (Fraser also illustrated Hoberman's classic A House Is a House for Me) and the varied, imaginative page design that never overwhelms the text. Indexes."
Review by Horn and Retrieved from Barnes & Noble.

Suggestions for Use in Library or School
Portions from this book would be great for a story time at the library that focuses on a certain subject.  For example, a story time on alligators or crocodiles, could include the poem "Alligator/Crocodile." 

For a study on poetry, it would be nice to show the variety of styles and word placement as part of the beauty of poems.  Show examples.  On page 10, Brother and My Sister Saw a Dinosaur poems are presented in dialogue boxes.  On page 12, Whenever is a good illustration of how an artist can contribute to the understanding of the poem, with girls twirling in a circle, the subject of the poem. On page 18, Rabbit is a great example of how words can be placed on the page, almost like creating a picture with the words. It also has some word play elements (alliteration), such as "better bitter beet".   Meg's Eggs uses the shape of eggs to hold the words. Look at page 53; how come the elephant is the only one not an insect? (eleph "ant")  O is Open used the shape of "O" for the poem.  The rhyming scheme also differs with each poem.  My preference would be to read it aloud to hear the differences rather than analyze the poetry.

"Pyongyang" by Guy Delisle

Summary of Pyongyang by Guy Delisle
This graphic novel opens the eyes of the reader to the secretive society of North Korea.  The author was a first hand witness as he entered the country on a work visa for a French film company.  The experience allowed him to view the culture, more of it than the North Koreans had intended.  The text and illustrations cooperate together to give a good picture of the realities of living under the world's best known Communist dynasty.  The story line focuses on his personal adventures within the country in the company of his translator and guide. 

Delisle, G. (2005).  Pyongyang.  New York, NY: Farrar, Straus, & Giroux.

Personal Impressions of Pyongyang by Guy Delisle
This first hand account of life in North Korea is very informative and interesting. The author's sarcastic humor adds to the flavor. The impression of negative and hopeless conditions are accented, as well as the inability of the government to contain the troubles within. The graphics are complementary of the text, which is interesting and chronological of Delisle's personal journey.

Reviews of Pyongyang by Guy Delisle
"In 2001, French-Canadian cartoonist Delisle traveled to North Korea on a work visa to supervise the animation of a children's cartoon show for two months. While there, he got a rare chance to observe firsthand one of the last remaining totalitarian Communist societies. He also got crappy ice cream, a barrage of propaganda and a chance to fly paper airplanes out of his 15th-floor hotel window. Combining a gift for anecdote and an ear for absurd dialogue, Delisle's retelling of his adventures makes a gently humorous counterpoint to the daily news stories about the axis of evil, a Lost in Translation for the Communist world. Delisle shifts between accounts of his work as an animator and life as a visitor in a country where all foreigners take up only two floors of a 50-story hotel. Delisle's simple but expressive art works well with his account, humanizing the few North Koreans he gets to know (including "Comrade Guide" and "Comrade Translator"), and facilitating digressions into North Korean history and various bizarre happenings involving brandy and bear cubs. Pyongyang will appeal to multiple audiences: current events buffs, Persepolis fans and those who just love a good yarn. (Sept.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information."

Review by Publishers Weekly and Retrieved from Barnes & Noble. 

"The author accepted an assignment to work with a team of North Koreans hired to draw a cartoon series. This graphic novel depicts his time there, mostly in the capital city. Delisle stays at one of the three hotels in Pyongang permitted to take foreign guests. The 50-story Yangakkdo is mostly empty; the only floor with its lights turned on is the one with foreigners on it. Accompanied everywhere by at least one or two government assigned “guides,” the animator sees pretty much only what the powers that be want him to see. Even that limited view, however, reveals a fascistic and surreal landscape: a “phantom city in a hermit nation.” Delisle is a good guide through this overly ordered world. He genuinely likes the North Koreans and has no ideological axe to grind; he brings along Orwell to read, but doesn’t let it restrict his thinking. His sharp eye captures many telling details: a monstrously luxurious subway station (marble walls, chandeliers) that seems to be only for show; the empty restaurants; the “volunteer” civilians obsessively cleaning everywhere he looks; and always the passionate reverence for Kim Jong Il, whose portrait hangs “in every room, on every floor, in every building” throughout the land. Brilliant, passionately rendered reportage."
Review from Kirkus Reviews and Retrieved from kirkusreviews.com

Suggestions for Use in a Library or School
Pair the reading of Pyongyang with the article from National Geographic titled Escape from North Korea by Tom O'Neill (Feb. 2009 issue).  Ask high school students to comment on why someone would flee from North Korea and how international countries can help bring about freedom to the people there.  Pose other questions via discussion or essay:  Why do you think the people tolerate the government's control?  OR What freedoms do you take for granted in the U.S.?

"The Boy on Fairfield Street" by Kathleen Krull

Summary of The Boy on Fairfield Street by Kathleen Krull
Ted Geisel grew up on Fairfield Street in Springfield, Massachussetts.  Close to the public library and the zoo, Ted enjoyed lots of things.  He found little encouragement beyond his mother of his imaginative drawing and humorous escapades.  While he attended college, he was not studious like his sister.  Later in life he began drawing cartoons and received an encouraging response from a twelve year old boy.  It dawned on him that children would really like his ideas and he could share his love of animals, reading, and justice (freedom from the rules adults make).  The rest of his life was devoted to this endeavor, and he never wrote for adults again.  Several of his books, such as The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham, continue to be favorites as first readers for children even today.

Krull, K. (2004).  The Boy on Fairfield Street:  How Ted Geisel Grew Up to Become Dr. Seuss.  New York, NY:  Random House, Incorporated.

Personal Impressions of The Boy on Fairfield Street
Ted Geisel, a.k.a. Dr. Seuss, a.k.a. Ted or Theodore Lesieg, had a wonderful imagination and this book illustrates how unconventional his approach was in the early years.  If not for his mother, and later his wife, one might wonder if he would have ever persevered to undertake his love for creativity.  A good portion of determination and stubborness must have been a factor, as so few people gave him credit for his abilities. So many of us are glad he wrote for children with his fun antics, limited (sight word) plus phonics friendly vocabulary,  and unique illustrations. His books are loved and valued by most adults and children alike as a positive introduction into the world of reading. The illustrations in the book have a soft watercolor design, reminiscent of the turn of the century art during his young life.  A small example of Dr. Sueuss' art is provided on the bottom of each textual page.

Reviews of The Boy on Fairfield Street
"This picture-book biography is a winner. Ted Geisel was not an athletic child, and spent his free time roaming his neighborhood in Springfield, MA, and hanging out with his best friend. Except for encountering some strong anti-German sentiment, his childhood was ideally normal. The clear, large-type text concentrates on Geisel's youth. It delves a bit into his cartooning talent, honed while he was at Dartmouth College. The story ends with his successful career as Dr. Seuss still to come. An appended four-page section succinctly sums up his life and accomplishments. Johnson and Fancher's lovely, full-page illustrations are supplemented by samples of Dr. Seuss's artwork, including scenes from The Cat and the Hat and The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins. A complete list of Seuss's titles, in chronological order, rounds out the title. Mae Woods's Dr. Seuss (ABDO, 2000) devotes more space to his adult life and career. Krull's work is a terrific look at the boyhood of one of the most beloved author/illustrators of the 20th century."
Review by Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI of School Library Journal and Retrieved from Barnes & Noble.

"Krull's (V Is for Victory) fond tribute to Dr. Seuss focuses on the well-loved author/artist's youth. Growing up in Springfield, Mass., Ted Geisel "feasted on books and was wild about animals" and "excelled at fooling around." The informal, anecdotal narrative explains that Geisel early on demonstrated a passion for drawing (even on his bedroom walls) "whatever popped into his head." He took only one art class, in high school, and quit when the teacher scolded him for "breaking rules" and told him he would never be successful. While attending Dartmouth, Geisel was admired for his "talent for silliness" and, Krull notes with comic irony, "He was clearly gifted, though no one knew at exactly what. It wasn't as if men could doodle for a living." The tale ends rather abruptly as the 22-year-old Geisel arrives in New York City to embark on his artistic career. A four-page addendum, presented in a smaller font, chronicles the highlights of Dr. Seuss's publishing career and provides intriguing tidbits about the creation of some of his beloved books. Johnson and Fancher's (New York's Bravest) representational, nostalgic paintings effectively evoke both the period and Geisel's appealingly puckish personality. Featured in spot art, familiar Seuss characters frolic through these pages, thematically complementing the illustrations while reminding readers why Geisel's life is worth celebrating."
Review by Publishers Weekly and Retrieved from Barnes & Noble.

Suggestions for Use in Library or School

For older students, encourage a look at Dr. Seuss books and how he challenged rules.  Have a discussion on why was he discouraged in his creativity and why do they think it was wrong.  Could it have prevented him from pursuing his goals and why didn't it?  Why are his books so memorable and excellent choices for beginning readers?  What is your favorite Dr. Seuss book and why?

For younger students, take a look at his illustrations and compare it to other children's books of his time.  Explain or discuss why people might have been reluctant in appreciating his imaginative approach for books.  Did you read his books when you first started reading?  What was your favorite and why?

"The Mysteries of Beethoven's Hair" by Russell Martin and Lydia Nibley

Summary of The Mysteries of Beethoven's Hair by Martin & Nibley
A remarkable true story of the path of a lock of hair from Beethoven's head.  Taken from Beethoven as he was on his deathbed, it was a treasured heirloom of a family passed down through time.  Lost during the turbulent years of World War II, it reappeared in Europe and is authenticated and auctioned off to two collectors who share ownership today. Scientific studies conducted on the lock of hair was analyzed to determine his cause of death, which now appears to be a prolonged poisoning by lead and is possible as the reason for his bouts of temper and eventual deafness.

Martin, R. & Nibley, L. (2009).  The Mysteries of Beethoven's Hair. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.

Personal Impressions of Beethoven's Hair
What a fascinating and unique subject matter for a non=fiction selection!  A lot of detail goes into the process for determining the cause of so much lead in Beethoven's hair. Medicine meant to help his gastrointestinal problems he suffered from his whole life may be the very cause of his deafness. The mystery of the transfer of the lock of hair from the Hiller family and how it reappeared in Denmark will probably never be solved.

Reviews of Beethoven's Hair
"On Beethoven's death a gray-brown lock of his hair was snipped by a fifteen-year-old musician, Ferdinand Hiller, from the composer's corpse, and placed in a locket. Vignettes from the brilliant, troubled composer's life alternate with an account of the forensic detective work conducted on the lock of hair after it was acquired by collectors in 1994. The combination makes for a fascinating book, a young readers' version of Martin's national bestseller, Beethoven's Hair. Hiller became a composer and musician himself, and he took seriously Beethoven's injunction to him to devote his life to his art. Hiller also happened to be of Jewish heritage, from a family that may have protected itself by hiding that aspect of its identity. In a continent rapidly becoming engulfed with anti-Semitism, it is unclear how the lock of hair got to Denmark as it obviously did. Martin and Nibley use those chapters to speculate on possibilities and to flesh out the events of the evacuation of Denmark for young readers. Here the missing elements of story offer an opportunity to contextualize and clarify, where such a panning out to the larger events of the time may be seen as a weakness in the adult book. Woven into the narrative as well are the lives of the two impassioned Beethoven collectors, Alfredo "Che" Guevara of Laredo, Texas, and Ira Brilliant of Arizona, who acquired the lock of hair at a Sotheby's auction. Finally, The Mysteries of Beethoven's Hair details the meticulous process of testing and investigating historical artifacts and cumulatively building our knowledge about the lives that touched them. An afterword provides the story behind both the adult book and this one. A note fromthe authors clarifies aspects of the art of narrative nonfiction." 
Review by Uma Krishnaswami of Children's Literature and Retrieved from Barnes & Noble.

"In 1827, a music student cut a lock of hair as a memento from the head of recently deceased Ludwig van Beethoven. In 1994, two Americans bought the hair for about $7,300 and had scientists subject it to forensic tests. This slim volume introduces Beethoven's life, with an emphasis on his poor health and emotional problems, interspersing chapters about the hair's journey from Vienna to Arizona and the scientific analysis. Although the lock's history intersects with Denmark's remarkable evacuation of Jews in World War II, the specifics of its journey are unknown, which leaches some of the excitement from the episode. One must also wonder how many child readers will be captivated by the revelation that Beethoven's hair had extremely high levels of lead, much as the authors strain to build to a dramatic climax. Beethoven fans and music students may be intrigued, but overall the audience for this mildly interesting story will be limited. Black-and-white archival illustrations and photographs add little to the appeal."
Review by Kirkus Reviews and Retrieved from Barnes & Noble.

Suggestions for Use in Library or School
For the high school student, do a research project on the possible cause of deafness/death of the famous composer Beethoven.  For the younger student, pair the book with the video "Beethoven Lives Upstairs" and see if any of the symptoms of lead poisoning were prevalent in the depiction of his personality in the film.

"Al Capone Does My Shirts" by Gennifer Choldenko

Summary of "Al Capone Does My Shirts" by Gennifer Choldenko
Moose and his family has moved to Alcatraz as a guard and electrician for the prison.  Other children also live on the island. The warden's daughter concocts a scheme to charge money to children at school for getting their laundry washed at the prison by famous prisoners such as Al Capone. Natalie, Moose's sister, needs to get into a special school nearby, the real reason for going to Alcatraz. When she is rejected, Moose must help care for her.  His mother is devastated, and still determined to get Natalie help. An unexpected solution is provided from within the prison itself.

Choldenko, G. (2004).  Al Capone Does My Shirts.  New York, NY: Scholastic, Incorporated.

Personal Impressions of "Al Capone Does My Shirts" by Choldenko
If you want to know what it's like to have a child with autism, this book is an excellent resource.  The author's own experiences with an autistic sister really adds credibility to the accuracy of what it is like to care and live with an autistic child. She provides a genuine look at the hopes, trials, discouragement, and fears within a family who has a child with a disability.  Even though many think that children are mean to other children with disabilities, I have found that compassion and concern is more prevalent. I'm so glad that the author provides this perspective with Moose and his friends.  The history of autism and Alcatraz are nicely done, and I really liked her inclusion of children's fascination with famous criminals.  The setting is appropriate, as I see it as a metaphor of Natalie's life, the prison of autism.

Reviews for "Al Capone Does My Shirts" by Choldenko
  
Author Choldenko has written a funny and clever middle grade novel about a boy named Matthew (Moose) Flanagan who is living on Alcatraz Island with his family. The family has moved to the Island because Moose's father has found work as an electrician, and because his sister Natalie, who is autistic, can go to a good school nearby. Moose is not happy about living on the island, especially after meeting the Warden's daughter Piper who is bossy and a bit of a troublemaker. Moose's father has warned him to stay out of trouble because he needs this job and Natalie needs to go to the special school. Moose's life becomes miserable when Piper involves him and a few other island kids in a moneymaking scheme to have their schoolmates' clothes laundered by the convicts on Alcatraz Island. Piper tempts her school chums by claiming that Al Capone, the famous gangster, may even wash their shirts. The scheme falls apart when the Warden finds out what his daughter and friends are up to. Then, to make matters worse, the school that Natalie attends doesn't want her and she has to come home. Moose winds up watching her and has to forego his Monday after-school baseball game. This is an amusing book about interesting characters placed in a different and unlikely setting and trying to make the best of their situation.
Review by Della A. Yannuzzi of Children's Literature and Retrieved from Barnes & Noble.

Jobs are hard to come by in 1935, so Moose's father doesn't hesitate to move his family to Alcatraz when he gets work as a guard there. Moose, age 12, is far from pleased, though. His friends and baseball team are back in San Francisco, his father works long hours, and when his mother takes a job too he is put in charge of minding his sister Natalie. Natalie is older than he is, but she is autistic, and she can be very difficult to deal with at times because of her obsessive behavior and temper tantrums. Meanwhile, Moose meets the warden's attractive but trouble-seeking daughter, Piper. He learns about the island and the prisoners, and reluctantly becomes involved in Piper's schemes, such as charging classmates for the opportunity to have their laundry done by the inmates—hence the title. Al Capone features briefly as a minor character, and in desperation Moose writes to him to ask him to use his influence to gain Natalie a place at a special school, a long-held dream of his mother's. Rather than a novel of gangsters, then, as some might think from the title, this is a coming-of-age tale about a boy dealing with his autistic sister, albeit in an unusual setting—YAs hoping for gory details of criminal and prison life will have to go elsewhere. Choldenko, author of Notes From a Liar and Her Dog, offers a sensitive portrait of autism and how it affects a family, and in a author's note at the end she discusses her research about life on Alcatraz and on autism, and mentions that her own sister has autism. An affecting novel.
Review by Paula Rohrlick of KLIATT and Retrieved from Barnes & Noble.

Suggestions for Use in Library or School
Host an autism awareness program with guest speakers. An occupational therapist could demonstrate sensory dysfunction, a common problem in autism, and a few simple exercises to help.  A behavioral therapist could show how important a schedule and reinforcement is for autistic individuals to achieve success and reduce problem behaviors.  A speech therapist could provide a PECS demonstration, and explain how pictoral representations help children with disabilities to communicate even when their speech is limited.  Consider the following additional speakers:
a parent or sibling of an autistic child
behavior therapist explaining DTT (discrete trial training)
behavior therapist explaining verbal behavior terminology such as tacts and mands
therapist explaining Floor Time (playtime)
therapist using water therapy or horseback riding for special needs children
RDI (relationship development)
AAC (augmentative device for communication)
Recommend the movie "Thinking in Pictures" which is the life story of Temple Grandin; famous autistic adult who is a college professor and inventor

"Acceleration" by Graham McNamee

Summary of Acceleration by Graham McNamee
Duncan is working at Toronto's lost and found for the subway.  In the midst of this boring summer job, he finds a brown book with no name.  The journal of a very disturbed individual, the entries appear to be accelerating into the marks of a serial killer.  After a failed attempt to interest the police in what he's found, Duncan and his friend Vinny decide to find the psycho themself.  Instead, he shows up on his own, looking for the diary and Duncan's life is in danger.

McNamee, G. (2003).  Acceleration.  New York, NY:  Wendy Lamb Books.

Personal Reflections of Acceleration
Due to some unfortunate circumstances, Duncan feels compelled to save someone.  His obsession over this incident is effecting his present life.  In his mind, finding the journal is a way to redeem himself.  The book is a fast-paced thriller with sarcastic humor.  Since Duncan seems down in the dumps, it's a good fit.  The story is believable, although most people wouldn't want to try to track down a serial killer.  The author also uses hot and cold elements throughout the book for emphasis on certain passages.

Reviews
"Seventeen-year-old Duncan hates his summer job in the lost-and-found department of the Toronto Transit Commission. In his office below the subway tunnels, Duncan sorts through and retrieves items lost on buses and trains: a golf club, sunglasses, giant thong underwear, umbrellas, and cell phones. When he looks through a lost diary and finds a would-be murderer's plans for his first victim, he decides to hunt him down. Having failed recently in an attempt to save a drowning girl, he sees this as a chance to redeem himself and stop his nightmares. Enlisting his wise-guy friends, Vinny and Wayne, he stalks the stalker and finds himself in over his head. The creepy, morgue-like setting and the friendship among the teenaged boys are well-drawn, with a fair amount of humor to balance the chills. Though readers may wonder why Duncan fails to consider certain obvious points along the way, this is a well-written, read-it-in-one-gulp thriller."
Review by Kirkus and Retrieved from Barnes & Noble.

"Seventeen-year-old Duncan is haunted by the fact that he was unable to save a drowning girl a few yards away one fateful afternoon the previous September. This summer he has a job working underground at the Toronto subway lost and found where he uncovers, amid the piles of forgotten junk, an opportunity to exorcise his own guilty demons. When business is slow, Duncan spends his time rummaging through dusty shelves and boxes of unclaimed items. During one of these sessions, he uncovers a strange, leather-bound book that turns out to be the diary of a would-be serial killer. Unable to tear himself from the gory descriptions of tortured animals and arson, he discovers that the writer has started to stalk women on the subway. When the police seem disinterested, the teen takes matters into his own hands, and with the aid of his two best friends, tries to track and trap the murderer before he can strike. This chilling page-turner is all thrills, and the author cleverly manipulates readers' sense of disbelief by eliminating the possibility of police help or parental understanding. What results is one teen's self-conscious yet fast-paced journey into the mind of a cold-blooded killer, and the resulting manhunt will keep readers on the edge of their seats."
Review by Hillias J. Martin, New York Public Library, Copyright 2003, Reed Business Information, and Retrieved from Barnes & Noble.

Suggestions for Use in Library and School
Three choices for an essay.  Write a different ending to the story.  What does "acceleration" mean within the story?  Why is it impossible for Duncan to get the police interested or discuss with his parents what was found in the diary?

"The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster

Summary of The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
Milo finds life boring.  After a tollbooth mysteriously appears in his room, he enters and discovers bizarre worlds.  From Dictionopolis to the island of Conclusions, Milo is continually growing in his awareness of the adventures that can be found in life all around him if he would just open his eyes.

Juster, N. (1989).  The Phantom Tollbooth.  New York, NY:  Random House, Incorporated.

Personal Impressions of The Phantom Tollbooth
In the style of Alice in Wonderland, a world of humorous and unique places are presented as answers to Milo's boredom.  A book that's fun, but makes you think with its puns and word play.  Explanations, inventions, and adventure awaits everyone who searches for it in life.

Reviews of The Phantom Tollbooth
"Hero Milo "didn't know what to do with himself-not just sometimes, but always." One day he returns from school to find an easy to assemble tollbooth and when he drives through it, Milo finds wild adventures in Dictionopolis, the land of words; Digitopolis, the world of numbers, and many locations in between. He is on a quest in this nonsensical land to bring back the Princess of Sweet Rhyme and Pure Reason. The book is filled with wild characters like the Spelling Bee who spells more than he speaks. There are silly word plays like the time Milo makes a speech at dinner and is surprised to find out how he has to eat his words. Life philosophy is mixed with tons of punny, funny humor. He is so changed by his travels that when he returns home he is only momentarily disappointed when the tollbooth disappears. As Milo says, "there's just so much to do right here." A children's classic for parent and child to enjoy together."
Review by Children's Literature and Retrieved from Barnes & Noble Editorial Reviews.

"I think this book inspired my love of puns and wordplay, not to mention math and word games. It brought to earth large concepts like Boredom and Truth."
Review by Maggi Idzikowski,Media Specialist, Allen Elementary School, Ann Arbor MI and Retrieved from School Library Journal Online.

Suggestions for Use in Library or School
Ask students to write an essay explaining what they do when they are bored.  For older students, ask them to explain how the word play found in The Phantom Tollbooth  enhanced the story and made it more memorable. Milo's experience helped him with his boredom and said at the end of the story "there's just so much to do right here." Create a story that tells what he does next.

For younger students, let them draw a picture of Watchdog, Digitopolis, or another character in the story, or let them create their own word play picture.  (Ex. flying pigs "When pigs can fly.")