April Sayre’s “If You’re Hoppy” is in the running for this year’s Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award. This twist on the traditional song “If You’re Happy and You Know It” has readers singing along and guessing what animals come next. If you’re hoppy and you know it, you’re…
“a frog.
Or a bunny.
Or a cricket!”
Unexpected asides about growling tummies and pterodactyls will keep readers on their toes and guessing creatively. The comical illustrations will inspire your crew to act out the book. Who wouldn’t want to be a growly dog?
Once you’re read and acted out the book several times, you can extend the fun by:
- Add verses. Make up your own silly combinations of motions and animals.
- Want to get back to the basics? Share the traditional version.
- Act out the rhyme “Hop Like a Bunny”
Hop like a bunny. (Hop.)
Run like a dog. (Run in place.)
Walk like an elephant. (Hold one arm in front like a trunk, and sway back and forth.)
Jump like a frog. (Squat down with hands on floor and hop.)
Swim like a goldfish. (Hold palms together and move hands in swimming motion.)
Fly like a bird. (Flap arms up and down at your sides.)
Then sit right down and don’t say a word. (Sit down.) - Make shadow puppets. The book features slimy shadow things created using a flashlight. About.com and YouTube are great resources for simple hand forms and inspiration.