Where's Stretch: A Lift-the-Flap Book
What’s inside...
It's laundry day and Stretch the dachshund needs a bath, but his family can't find him. Join them as they hunt for him from room to room, finding lots of surprises along the way. Where is that dog? Stretch the dachshund is at large, and his family needs help ferreting him out in this funny story with lots of flaps to hunt under. It's laundry day, and Stretch the dachshund needs a bath—but his family can't find him. Luckily, readers will be happy to lift the flaps and help with the hunt. Is Stretch in the closet? (No, but his sweater is, and it sure needs washing.) How about the shower? (No, but his towel's there—better wash that, too.) Could Stretch be outside? Is he under the bed? In the big pile of laundry? Comical illustrations lend visual humor and add to the fun of this lift-the-flap, laundry-day chase.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-5
Length
18 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Stretch the Giraffe will see next when we lift the flap?
Why do you think Stretch the Giraffe is hiding? What could he be feeling?
How do you think the story would change if we found Stretch early in the book?
What was your favorite part of playing hide-and-seek with Stretch, and why?
Can you imagine a new place where Stretch could hide? What would it look like?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use a playful tone when reading to make the hide-and-seek experience more enjoyable.
Pause before lifting each flap to allow your child to guess what might be hiding behind it. This builds anticipation and engagement.
After reading, encourage your child to draw their own 'hide-and-seek' scene with Stretch hiding in a new place they imagine.
Relate the story to a personal experience by discussing a time you and your child played hide-and-seek together.
Ask your child how they feel when they find someone or something they’ve been looking for, linking it to the feelings Stretch might have in the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: As children help search for Stretch by lifting flaps, they engage in solving the mystery of where Stretch might be hiding. This interactive element encourages thinking and strategizing.
Real-World Application: Children apply problem-solving skills daily, from figuring out how to build a structure with blocks to deciding the best way to share toys with friends.
Example Lesson: Understanding spatial concepts
Explanation: By exploring where Stretch might be, such as behind a tree or under a bed, the book introduces basic prepositions and spatial relationships to young readers.
Real-World Application: Grasping spatial awareness helps children navigate their physical world more effectively, from avoiding obstacles while walking to arranging their school desk.
Example Lesson: Persistence
Explanation: The ongoing search for Stretch throughout the book showcases the value of persistence as each flap is lifted and encourages children to continue the quest.
Real-World Application: Persistence learned through the story can be mirrored in real life, whether it's completing a difficult puzzle or mastering a new skill in sports or music.
Example Lesson: Interactive learning
Explanation: The lift-the-flap format of the book makes learning an active, hands-on experience, fostering engagement and memory retention.
Real-World Application: Engaging actively with materials enhances learning and retention, useful in educational settings like classrooms or during homework.
Example Lesson: Joy in discovery
Explanation: The excitement of finding where Stretch is hiding under each flap adds an element of joy and surprise to the learning process.
Real-World Application: Fostering curiosity and discovery can encourage children to explore new subjects and areas of interest in school and in their hobbies.