Can't Catch Me (Timothy Knapman)

Title:  Can’t Catch Me!

Author:  Timothy Knapman

Illustrator:   Simona Ciraolo

Target Ages:  3-7

Genre:  Picture Book

Awards:

Publisher Summary: 

“I’m the fastest mouse in the world!”

Jake claims.  “I’m like the wind!

I’m faster than lightening!”

But will speed alone keep boastful

Jake from being caught by a cat,

a fox, a wolf, or a bear?

First Lines:

Here’s Jake,

the fastest mouse in the world.

OH, NO – he’s gone!

Quick!  After him!

Memorable Moment:

No spoilers on this one!  The ending is clever and memorable. 

Evaluation:

This mischievous cumulative tale is reminiscent of The Gingerbread Man. Despite the similarities in the narratives, Can’t Catch Me has its own personality and twist. 

In this version, Jake the mouse takes on the role of the gingerbread man.   Jake boastfully taunts his predators.  He proves to be faster than the Old Tom Cat, the fox, the wolf, and the bear.  However, he is not as sly as the cat.  His arrogance blinds him to danger, which is a valuable lesson for all ages.

The pencil and watercolor illustrations capture the animation and energy of the mouse as well as the toil and frustration of the predatory animals.  The muted colors minimal backgrounds keep the focus on the action and characterization.

All in all, Can’t Catch Me is a cheeky, entertaining read!  It is one of those books kids will want to hear again and again.

Activities and Extension Ideas for Lesson Plans:

• Predicting Skills:  Before you read, ask the children to guess what the book is about.  As you read, allow them to guess what will happen in each encounter and how they think the book will end.
• Comparative Literature:  Read both Can’t Catch Me and a version of The Gingerbread Man.  Compare and contrast the two stories using a Venn diagram or other graphic organizer.
• Characterization:  Discuss the characters of Jake and Old Tom Cat.  For instance, Old Tom Cat is dramatic.  He acts like he is starving.  As he sits watching the mouse, he is getting “thinner and thinner.”  He later uses this hyperbolic language to trick Jake. 
• Science:  Discuss how animals have different defense mechanisms.  For example, the mouse is fast so he can outrun larger animals while cats are cunning and patient so they can sneak up on fast prey. 
• Choral Reading:  Children can be prompted to read along on repetitive parts like when each predator “runs and runs,” and Jake chants multiple times  "can’t catch me” and “I’m the fastest mouse in the world.”    

For more great suggestions, head over for the Perfect Picture Book Link Up.

Picture Books on St. Patrick's Day

What do you associate with St. Patrick’s Day?  Leprechauns?  Parades?  Green Beer?   As the holiday approaches this year, I decided to find out:  Who is St. Patrick?   I learned he grew up in what is now England (back then it was part of the Roman Empire).  He lived a life of privilege and comfort.  During his early years, he did not believe in God or desire to follow him.  After being taken captive and eventually being sold into slavery, he had a change of heart.  St. Patrick was able to escape slavery and eventually make it back home.  Vowing to never leave again, he felt God call him to preach to the pagans in Ireland.  As a result, he left his home and spend 30 years ministering to the people and experiencing great hardships.  Based on the celebrations today, I was surprised that the man being honored was a devout Christian.  Here are a couple books you can read to your children or students in remembrance of St. Patrick:

Saint Patrick (by Ann Trompert)  

Tropert’s retelling of St. Patrick's life is a great introduction that is simple enough for younger children yet interesting enough for older readers/listeners.  His perseverance and maturity are chronicled in this narrative as he lives life as a child, a captive, a slave, and a castaway.  St. Patrick, as well as those around him, learn about the power of prayer and obedience to God.  After being called by God into ministry, he spends years preparing by growing in knowledge, in leadership, and in the Spirit.  During his ministry to the Irish pagans, he is threatened, imprisoned, and enslaved, yet he is able to reach thousands of people with the Gospel.  St. Patrick epitomizes the commandment to be “fishers of men.” 

St. Patrick’s Day (by Elaine Landau)  

This selection is part of the Finding Out About Holidays series from Enslow Publishers.   It is divided into short chapters.  Some are more narrative and religious in nature like when St. Patrick’s life is described.  Others are more informative and secular describing the traditions (past and present), legends, and symbols.  Landau explains how the three-leafed clover and leprechauns are connected with the holiday.  Overall, St. Patrick’s Day provides a comprehensive description of the man and the holiday. 

Some people might be familiar with the folklore around St. Patrick.  One of the most common legends is the story that he led all the snakes out of Ireland.  In The Last Snake in Ireland, author Shelia MacGill-Callahan has created a trickster tale based on the ancient story and combined it with a contemporary myth of the Loch Ness monster.  Also, Joyce A. Stengel has a retelling of the snake legend that includes the help of some furry friends called St. Patrick and the Three Brave Mice. 

I have never celebrated or thought much of the St. Patrick holiday.  These books, though, helped me have a better understanding and appreciation for the man the day honors. 

In my blog hopping recently, I came across two wonderful St. Patrick's Day units with activities parents can use at home with their preschool-aged children or teachers might want to use in their classes.  Visit Over the Moon and  2 Teaching Mommies to view and download. There are lots of fun craft ideas on the web. Click on these blog sites to view them: The Home Teacher (Hand Print Plate), Mom on Time Out (Leprechaun Hats), and Living Montessori Now (Beaded Rainbow). For a delicious craft/healthy snack idea, visit The Iowa Farmer's Wife and another holiday treat at Our Side of the Mountain. 

Love and Roast Chicken by Barbara Knutson

Story Summary

Love and Roast Chicken: A Trickster Tale from the Andes Mountains (ages 6-10) is a pleasurable read.  Cuy, a cunning guinea pig, is cornered by a hungry fox who wants to eat him for dinner!  The gullible fox is tricked into believing the sky is falling (similar to Chicken Little), so Cuy gets away while fox holds up the sky (a rock).   When Cuy is caught again, he convinces the fox to hide in a den to await the fiery end of the world.  The guinea pig “helps” him out by also putting rocks at the entrance for the fox’s protection.  Meanwhile, Cuy enjoys a bonfire in front of the cave.   Next, he disguises himself as a field hand, so he is protected and fed by the farmer.  Happily, the guinea pig enjoys an endless supply of alfalfa on the farm.   When the farmer notices that his alfalfa is missing, he sets a trap—a clay figure with sticky sap on it.   Cuy gets caught in the sticky figure (similar to Brer Rabbit and the Tar Baby).  The farmer finds him and ties him to a tree to await his roasting fate.  When the fox comes along to steal a chicken, he is pleased to see Cuy already “wrapped up” for him.   Even when all hope seems lost, Cuy pulls one last fast one on the fox...

Why I Chose It

Love and Roast Chicken is a great addition to a study of trickster tales or multicultural stories.  The wood block illustrations in neutral earth tones compliment the story well and reflect the landscape of the culture in the Andes.   Further cultural charm is added with the occasional Spanish and Quechea words (defined in the glossary at the back of the book).  This narrative has charming characters and humorous tricks, sure to be a favorite of people of all ages.

Extension Activities and Lesson Plan Ideas

Teaching Guide from the Author

South America Research Ideas from the Author

Geography Lesson Using Love and Roast Chicken

Information on Peru (and Andes) and Pictures Books Set There

Love and Roast Chicken Activities

Lesson Plans for Trickster Tales and Fables 1

Lesson Plans for Trickster Tales and Fables 2

Other Animal and Trickster Tales

More Trickster Tales from Around the World