Have You Ever Seen a Smack of Jellyfish?: An Alphabet Book
on Goodreads (73)
What’s inside...
After discovering that a group of ferrets is called a business, Sarah Asper-Smith became fascinated with the intersection of language and the natural world. Using bold prints overlaid on vibrant colors, she created Have You Ever Seen a Smack of Jellyfish? to chronicle the poetic words used to describe the magnificent animal kingdom. From a knot of frogs to a watch of nightingales, the book takes the reader on a fascinating journey through the alphabet with animals as their guide, starting with an army of ants, and ending with a zeal of zebras. The color illustrations and playful use of language will appeal to readers of all ages.
Age
3-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What is your favorite letter in the alphabet from the book, and can you think of another animal that starts with that letter?
Which animal in the book was the most interesting to you and why?
Can you think of a creative group name for an animal not mentioned in the book?
How do you think the animals in the book feel when they are in their groups?
What new facts did you learn from this book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts about each animal by asking them to describe the animal using adjectives.
Create a drawing session where your child can draw their favorite scene or animal group from the book.
After reading, help your child relate to the content by discussing the importance of community, using the animal groups as examples.
Discuss the characteristics of different animals and their habitats to deepen your child’s understanding and curiosity.
Use the book as a gateway to introduce the alphabet if your child is just beginning to learn letters, associating each letter with the animals.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Letter Recognition
Explanation: This book creatively presents each letter of the alphabet through unique collective nouns for animals, which aids in recognition and memory retention.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by recognizing and identifying letters in other contexts outside the book, such as in signs, labels, or in writing their own names.
Example Lesson: Vocabulary Expansion
Explanation: The use of unusual collective nouns, such as 'a smack of jellyfish' or 'an embarrassment of pandas,' enriches a child's vocabulary and introduces them to the diversity of the English language.
Real-World Application: Children can use these new words to express themselves more clearly and creatively in both spoken and written forms in school assignments or in everyday conversation.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: The illustrations and playful use of language encourage children to think creatively and imagine the scenarios presented.
Real-World Application: This imaginative thinking can inspire children to create their own stories or drawings, fostering creativity in other areas of learning and play.
Example Lesson: Appreciation of Nature
Explanation: By exposing children to a variety of animal groups, the book fosters an interest and appreciation for wildlife and natural ecosystems.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to learn more about the animals mentioned and become more aware of environmental issues impacting these species.
Example Lesson: Social Learning
Explanation: This book can be read in a group setting, promoting cooperative learning as children discuss and explore the concepts together.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this collaborative learning in school or in playgroups, enhancing their social skills and teamwork abilities.