Wiggle-Waggle Woof: Counting Sled Dogs in Alaska (PAWS IV)
PAWS IV Series
What’s inside...
In this delightful and energetic counting book, children learn about sled dogs and mushing as they prepare a sled dog team for a race. They count paws, ears, and noses while learning mushing terminology, rigging parts, and sled dog facts from a glossary. The book features cheerful text perfect for reading aloud and charming illustrations by Michael Bania that capture the enthusiasm of Alaskan huskies.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think it would be like to go on a sled dog journey in Alaska?
Can you count how many dogs are on each page? What do you notice about them?
Why do you think teamwork is important for the sled dogs?
How do the illustrations help tell the story of the sled dog adventure?
What is your favorite part of the sled dog journey and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressions and animated tones to bring the story to life while reading, making the sled dog journey seem more vivid and engaging.
Pause after each page to give your child a chance to count the dogs and discuss what they observed about each dog’s actions or expressions.
Discuss the concept of teamwork illustrated in the book and relate it to your child’s experiences in group activities or family tasks.
Ask your child to describe the scenery and events using the illustrations before reading the text, enhancing their observation and storytelling skills.
After finishing the book, engage in a creative activity like drawing your favorite scene or imagining a new adventure for the sled dogs.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: The book showcases sled dogs working together to pull their sled across Alaska, demonstrating how teamwork leads to success.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of collaborating with others to achieve common goals, be it in school projects or sports teams.
Example Lesson: Counting and numerical skills
Explanation: As the title suggests, the book integrates counting sled dogs, which helps children practice their numerical skills in a fun and engaging context.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply these counting skills in their daily life, from counting objects to understanding the sequence of numbers during play activities.
Example Lesson: Understanding diverse cultures
Explanation: The story is set in Alaska and includes elements of the local culture, particularly the traditional use of sled dogs.
Real-World Application: This can teach children to appreciate and respect cultural differences and practices, enhancing their social awareness and empathy.
Example Lesson: Developing reading and comprehension skills
Explanation: The rhythmic and rhyming patterns in the book help children improve their reading fluency and comprehension.
Real-World Application: Children can enhance their reading proficiency, which is crucial for academic success across all subjects.