Sipping Spiders Through a Straw: Campfire Songs for Monsters
What’s inside...
A delightfully chilling musical romp through the gross and gory world of campfire songs! In this howlishly fun collection, little monsters will love singing along to their favorite tunes, altered for optimal gross-out effect by Kelly DiPucchio and illustrated by Gris Grimly. Highlights include 'If You're Scary and You Know It', '99 Bottles of Blood on the Wall', and 'Do Your Guts Hang Low?'. Gather your creepy, crawly friends and get ready to slither, slink, howl, and stink!
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-11
Length
30 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the monsters in the book felt during the different songs?
If you could create your own campfire song for monsters, what funny or spooky elements would you include?
Which monster would you like to meet, and what would you ask them?
How do you think singing songs around a campfire can help the monsters bond with each other?
What lesson can we learn from the way the monsters enjoy their campfire activities?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine and describe their own monster, focusing on creative details that can spark further discussion about the book's characters.
As you discuss the book, relate the monsters’ experiences to your child's own experiences with friends during playtime or other group activities.
Sing some of the campfire songs together, changing lyrics or adding new ones to make it more personalized and engaging.
Ask your child about their feelings and thoughts on the different scenarios presented in the book, emphasizing empathy and understanding of diverse perspectives.
Post-discussion, engage in a creative activity like drawing scenes or crafting a mini campfire setting to bring the book's themes to life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Diversity
Explanation: Through the use of various monster characters, the book showcases diversity and acceptance of different traits and personalities.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and embrace differences among their peers, fostering a more inclusive environment at school and in social settings.
Example Lesson: Creative Expression
Explanation: The book presents songs with a humorous twist, encouraging children to explore their creative sides and think outside the box.
Real-World Application: Kids are inspired to engage in creative activities such as writing their own poems, songs, or stories, thus enhancing their creative and cognitive skills.
Example Lesson: Importance of Humor
Explanation: The quirky and playful songs introduce children to the concept of humor in literature, showing them how language can be used for comedic effect.
Real-World Application: Understanding and appreciating humor aids in social interactions and boosts mental health. Children learn to enjoy and create humorous content, making learning more engaging and enjoyable.