Suddenly Alligator: An Adverbial Tale
Language Adventures Series
What’s inside...
While on his way to buy new socks to replace those he has been wearing for three months, a boy runs into a hungry alligator and finds that his old socks come in handy. Rick Walton tells an entertaining story while also teaching language arts concepts to children aged four and over. Suddenly Alligator is a fabulous new picture book filled with fun and surprise, engagingly written by Rick Walton and superbly illustrated by Jim Bradshaw. The book not only entertains but also teaches language arts concepts, making it a great addition to Walton's line of language arts picture books for children.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the alligator felt when it suddenly appeared? Why do you think that?
What is your favorite part of the story and why?
Can you think of a time when you were surprised like the characters in the book? What happened?
Why do you think adverbs are important in telling a story?
How would the story change if we took out all the adverbs?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to emphasize the adverbs and their impact on the story. This can help children understand and relate to the content more effectively.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative scenarios by changing some of the adverbs in the story and discussing how the mood or action changes.
After reading, engage in a fun activity where you and your child act out parts of the book, using adverbs to describe your actions vividly.
Discuss the illustrations and ask how they add to or change the understanding of the adverbs and actions in the story.
Connect the story to personal experiences where specific words, like adverbs, changed the meaning of what was said or done, reinforcing the importance of word choice.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding the role of adverbs
Explanation: The book cleverly uses the story of an alligator to introduce and explain different adverbs, making it easy for children to understand their usage in sentences.
Real-World Application: Children can enhance their writing and speaking skills by using adverbs appropriately to add more detail and clarity to their sentences.
Example Lesson: Importance of word choice
Explanation: As words transform the ordinary to the extraordinary in the story, children learn how choosing the right words can significantly impact the meaning and tone of a sentence.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think carefully about word choice in their communication, helping them express themselves more effectively.
Example Lesson: Creativity and imagination
Explanation: The playful and imaginative setting of the book inspires children to use their creativity for storytelling or playing games.
Real-World Application: This stimulates imaginative play and storytelling abilities, crucial for cognitive and creative development.
Example Lesson: Language development
Explanation: By introducing adverbs in a fun narrative, the book aids in the development of a child's language skills, making it a practical tool for learning grammar.
Real-World Application: Improved language skills lead to better reading comprehension and communication abilities in daily interactions at school and home.