Crankenstein
#1 in Crankenstein Series
What’s inside...
This year, Halloween has gone rotten for Crankenstein, with costume disasters, pumpkin-carving nightmares, and a toothache ruining his favorite day. Samantha Berger's beloved 'crankster' character confronts the wicked tricks and treats of Halloween in this humorous tale, illustrated by Dan Santat. Even the grumpiest kiddos will cheerfully gobble up this the delicious follow-up to Crankenstein and A Crankenstein Valentine! This year, Crankenstein's favorite day of all—Halloween—has gone rotten! Creepy-cool costumes, super-scary jack-o'-lanterns, and loads of candy have been ruined by costume disasters, pumpkin-carving nightmares, and a terribly untimely toothache! MEHHRRRR!!! Can Halloween be saved, or will today turn into the crankiest Halloween in history? Samantha Berger's beloved 'crankster' character confronts all the wicked tricks and treats of Halloween in this bucket full of laughs, illustrated by bestselling, award-winning artist Dan Santat.
Discussion points
What do you think makes Crankenstein feel cranky?
How does Crankenstein's mood change throughout the story, and what causes these changes?
Can you think of a time when you felt like Crankenstein? What helped you feel better?
Why do you think it's important to understand and talk about our feelings, like Crankenstein does?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive voices and facial expressions to mimic Crankenstein’s emotions while reading, making the experience interactive and relatable.
After reading, share a personal story about a time you felt cranky and how you managed those feelings, encouraging your child to do the same. This can help them relate to the character and understand their own emotions better.
Discuss the illustrations and ask how they enhance the understanding of the story and emotions of Crankenstein. This helps children connect visual cues to textual context.
Link the story to real-life situations by asking your child to think about what makes people around them cranky, and what they can do to help - promoting empathy and problem-solving skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Emotional Self-awareness
Explanation: Crankenstein showcases various scenarios that lead to the main character feeling cranky, effectively illustrating the connection between situations and emotional responses.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to identify what makes them feel upset or cranky and communicate their feelings more clearly to others.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Through the interactions between Crankenstein and other characters, children see the importance of understanding and acknowledging others’ feelings.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to be more considerate and empathetic towards their peers and family members when they are experiencing a bad day.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Crankenstein and his friend find ways to improve their moods by the end of the book, teaching kids that there are strategies to handle and alter a bad mood.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply similar strategies when they are feeling cranky, such as engaging in a favorite activity or discussing their feelings with someone they trust.
Example Lesson: Humor as a Coping Mechanism
Explanation: The book utilizes humor to show Crankenstein coping with frustrating situations, subtly teaching children the power of laughter in dealing with difficult emotions.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to find humor in day-to-day hiccups, helping them to lighten the mood and see things from a more positive perspective.
Example Lesson: The Universality of Emotions
Explanation: Crankenstein is a relatable character for children, as everyone gets cranky sometimes. This demonstrates that feeling grumpy is a universal experience, not something to be ashamed of.
Real-World Application: Understanding that everyone has similar feelings can foster a sense of shared experience and community among children, making them feel less alone in their emotions.