Seven Silly Eaters
by Mary Ann Haberman
Peter wants only milk Lucy won’t settle for anything but homemade lemonade and Jack is stuck on applesauce… Each new addition to the Peters family brings a new demand for a special meal. What’s a mother to do?
Reading Tips for Story Explorers
Find a comfortable space to read together
Slow down and enjoy the illustrations
Ask and answer questions together
Make reading part of your routine - bedtime is a great time for reading
Use these prompts to encourage deeper thinking with your children:
"Tell me more, why do you think that?"
"How do you know that?"
"Interesting, did you notice anything else?"
Phonemic Awareness
When introducing the book, share the title and notice these phonemic elements:
The word “Squirrels” in the title contains with the letter Qq. This letter says /q/, like quick and queen. Point to the letter and say the sound together: /q/, /q/, /q/. Brainstorm other words that begin with the sound /q/ with your child (quest, quilt, quill).
Ask the children to say the word after you. Show them the cover of the book and have them read the word out loud with you as you point under each word.
Vocabulary
Temperature: The degree of heat or cold of an object
Faintly: Dimly, weakly or quietly
Murmur: A soft or muffled sound
Plump: Full and round in shape
Foolish: Not having good sense; silly
Appetite: A desire to eat
Splendid: Beautiful or grand
Wearily: Tired in body or mind
Depressed: Sad or very low in spirits
Questions to Discuss
What are the names of the children in the story? How many children did Mrs. Peters have?
What kind of mother is Mrs. Peters? How is she similar or different to your mother?
What kinds of food did Mrs. Peters' children like to eat? Are you a picky eater? Why or why not?
How did Mrs. Peters feel the night before hre birthday? What do you see in the illustrations that makes you say that?
What did the children plan to do for their mom before their birthday? How do you think they got this idea?
How did Mrs. Peters feel when she entered her kitchen the morning of her birthday?Why? How did she feel at the end of the story?
How did the children change by the end of the story? Hw did the family compromise?
What is your favorite food?
Let's Play
This activity will help your child make connections to the text, which helps children improve comprehension.
Make Lucy’s favorite food - pink lemonade! Mix together:
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup lemon juice
- ⅔ cup sugar
- A few drops of red food coloring
Stir until sugar dissolves. Enjoy!
