Themed Book Lists for Exquisite Corpse Adventure Episodes Created by Butler Children's Lit Center Experts
COMING SOON to a bookstore and library near you, The Exquisite Corpse Adventure is a progressive story game in which one person begins a story, stops at a cliff-hanging moment, and the next person picks it up and continues until everyone in the group has the opportunity to contribute. Created as a national reading outreach project by the NCBLA and the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, The Exquisite Corpse Adventure is being published in paperback, hardcover, and audio formats by Candlewick Press August 23.
Extensive Education Resources Available!
Extending the educational impact of The Exquisite Corpse Adventure is the NCBLA's Education Resource Center, which contains a treasure trove of resources and articles, as well as activities, discussion questions, and art appreciation ideas, AND a “read more about it” annotated book list for each and every episode!
Many of the activities for home and classroom for each episode were created by the talented faculty and students at the Butler Children’s Literature Center at Dominican University. These activities and resources can be used not only for The Exquisite Corpse Adventure, but for other literary works as well. We invite you to take a look and use these free resources in any way you can.
Sample List of Recommended Reads: Episode 3
Each episode's book list is thematically linked to a character, plot element, or setting, inviting young people to discover even more great books to read! Each list includes three books recommended to read aloud and three books recommended for independent reading.
Following is the annotated book list for Episode 3 created by Thom Barthelmess, Curator at the Butler Children’s Literature Center:
Pigs! Annotated List of Suggested Read Alouds and Independent Reads
Read Alouds:
Martin, Jacqueline Briggs. The Water Gift and the Pig of the Pig. 32p. Gr. K-3
Isabel and her grandfather the sea captain share a magical gift for finding things. Isabel is shy and when her best friend the Pig of the Pig goes missing she must awaken her courage to find her precious friend. Isabel soon learns that you must believe in a gift in order to make it your own. Linda Wingerter’s stunning illustrations take you to the coast with Isabel and her family.
Isabel and her grandfather the sea captain share a magical gift for finding things. Isabel is shy and when her best friend the Pig of the Pig goes missing she must awaken her courage to find her precious friend. Isabel soon learns that you must believe in a gift in order to make it your own. Linda Wingerter’s stunning illustrations take you to the coast with Isabel and her family.
Prelutsky, Jack. It’s Raining Pigs & Noodles: Poems. 159p. Gr. K-6
Weird animals and unusual kids abound in this collection for rascals. Jack Prelutsky offers fresh verse along with gleeful line drawings from illustrator James Stevenson. Prepare yourself for unusual rhymes and jut a little touch of the gross. This collection also offers great possibilities for performance pieces.
Weird animals and unusual kids abound in this collection for rascals. Jack Prelutsky offers fresh verse along with gleeful line drawings from illustrator James Stevenson. Prepare yourself for unusual rhymes and jut a little touch of the gross. This collection also offers great possibilities for performance pieces.
Rylant, Cynthia. Poppleton. 48p. Gr. 1-2
What would do if you had a friend who wanted to feed you oatmeal, toasted cheese and spaghetti all day long? Even a pig knows when enough is enough. Poppleton learns that it is okay to tell a friend that you want to be alone. There is a new pig in town and his name is Poppleton.
What would do if you had a friend who wanted to feed you oatmeal, toasted cheese and spaghetti all day long? Even a pig knows when enough is enough. Poppleton learns that it is okay to tell a friend that you want to be alone. There is a new pig in town and his name is Poppleton.
Independent Reads:
Brooks, Walter R. Freddy the Detective. 263p. Gr. 3 -5
There is a crime wave at Bean's Farm and Jinx the cat’s name must be cleared. Freddy the pig, inspired by a Sherlock Holmes book he found in the barn, decides to become a master detective with the help of his sidekick Mrs. Wiggins the cow. Introduce yourself to Freddy, one of the first literary pigs.
There is a crime wave at Bean's Farm and Jinx the cat’s name must be cleared. Freddy the pig, inspired by a Sherlock Holmes book he found in the barn, decides to become a master detective with the help of his sidekick Mrs. Wiggins the cow. Introduce yourself to Freddy, one of the first literary pigs.
Hearne, Betsy Gould. Wishes, Kisses, and Pigs. 133p. Gr. 3-6
Eleven year old Louise Tolliver just made a wish on the first star of the night. Now her wish has come true but it is not what she expected. Her brother has disappeared and it looks as if he’s turned into a pig. Louise has to decide how to get him back using the only tricks she has, wishes, kisses and spells.
Eleven year old Louise Tolliver just made a wish on the first star of the night. Now her wish has come true but it is not what she expected. Her brother has disappeared and it looks as if he’s turned into a pig. Louise has to decide how to get him back using the only tricks she has, wishes, kisses and spells.
Zindel, Paul. The Pigman. 166p. Gr. 6-9
Funny old Mr. Pignati has found some new friends. Lorraine and John are two bored teenagers who stumble upon the Pigman during a prank. Through his kindness the teens begin to enjoy a little bit of happiness. When their new friend puts his trust in them though, they betray him. Now the only way for John and Lorraine to find peace is to write down The Pigman’s story.
Funny old Mr. Pignati has found some new friends. Lorraine and John are two bored teenagers who stumble upon the Pigman during a prank. Through his kindness the teens begin to enjoy a little bit of happiness. When their new friend puts his trust in them though, they betray him. Now the only way for John and Lorraine to find peace is to write down The Pigman’s story.
Be sure to check out ALL the activities and resources available on The Exquisite Corpse Adventure Companion Education Resource Center!
Ask for It at Your Library or Bookstore!
The contributors to The Exquisite Corpse Adventure are some of the most gifted artists and storytellers in our nation. This amazing team of writers and illustrators has made an extraordinary gift, donating their time and talent to a year-long project with the Library of Congress and to the publication of this book.
The members of The Exquisite Corpse Adventure “motley crew” are: M.T. Anderson, Natalie Babbitt, Calef Brown, Susan Cooper, Kate Di Camillo, Timothy Basil Ering, Jack Gantos, Nikki Grimes, Shannon Hale, Lemony Snicket, Steven Kellogg, Gregory Maguire, Megan McDonald, Patricia and Fredrick McKissack, Linda Sue Park, Katherine Paterson, James Ransome, Jon Scieszka, and Chris Van Dusen.
You can read more about this very exciting project on the NCBLA's website.
Illustration at top right by Calef Brown (c) 2010.
