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Nancy and Joe and Genius Kelly began their journey back to find a door, and as they picked their way along, Nancy told them more about her conversation with the wolves. “They’re very brave, you know,” she said, “and very strong and loving. Why, they claim that there’ve been times when wolf families have saved and raised human children from the time they were babies! They love families! That’s the way they hunt, mostly – mother, father, and pups, all together!”
Click on a title below for book recommendations; reading, writing, and art information and activities; and discussion questions. • An Annotated List of Suggested Read Alouds and Independent Reads An Annotated List of Suggested Read Alouds and Independent Reads Under Construction by Marilyn Ludolph, Ed.D, Dominican University School of Education Word Play This episode includes a play on words….doors, Doris, door mouse, dormouse, wooden shoes with souls (not soles). What is the meaning of the play on words? How is the play on words important to the episode? Are there are any more plays on words in this episode? Are there any “plays on words” that you would add to enhance the episode? ©2011 Marilyn Ludolph Discussion Questions and Activities by Geri Zabela Eddins, NCBLA Natalie Babbitt introduces a new character in Episode 24, Doris the Dormouse. How would you describe her? What do you learn about Doris through her dialog and actions? Is she helpful to Nancy and Joe, or is she a hindrance? In what way? Mice are common characters in children’s literature. Can you think of any books that feature a mouse as the protagonist or a supporting character? Why do you think writers choose mice as characters? This episode is overflowing with puns. A pun is “a play on words that capitalizes on a similarity of spelling and/or pronunciation between words that have different meanings.” Take another look at this episode and make a list of all the puns you can find. Compare your list with another student’s list. How are the puns used? For comic effect? To add a new layer of meaning? What makes each pun funny? Have you noticed other puns used in The Exquisite Corpse Adventure? Try writing a few puns yourself. You might want to start with a homonym. For example, one of the puns in this episode is based on the homonym pair “soul” and “sole.” Create a drawing or cartoon that depicts one of your favorite puns. The setting in The Exquisite Corpse Adventure changes frequently. In Episode 24 once again we find Nancy, Joe, and Genius Kelly in the woods, but this time they are seeking a store. The trio is seeking the store because the wolves told Nancy they could find the door there that would help them find their parents. Would you expect to find a store in the middle of the woods? How does Babbitt describe the store? How is this store like—or not like—another one you may have visited? Doris says, “The store has been a great success, out here in the woods.” Can you think of stores that exist in isolated places? How can they be successful? Does Doris provide any clues as to why her isolated store is successful? Only three more episodes remain in The Exquisite Corpse Adventure! Which one is your favorite so far? Was your favorite episode written by an author whose work you already knew…or by someone new to you? Have any of the episodes inspired you to read books by other authors? Or, has a particular episode inspired you to read a book in a new genre, such as fantasy or science fiction? Pick one or two or three of The Exquisite Corpse Adventure authors whose episodes you enjoyed and look them up. Find out what books they have written and check out one or two at your local library. Reference Murfin, Ross and Supryia M. Ray. (2003). The Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s. ©2010 Geri Zabela Eddins
For Parents, Teachers, Librarians—Talk Art! Timothy Basil Ering’s Illustration for Episode Twenty Four By Mary Brigid Barrett Under Construction
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The Exquisite Corpse Adventure is available in hardcover, paperback, and audio. Ask for it at your local library and bookstore! 