Ook the Book
by Lissa Rovetch
illustrated by Shannon McNeill

Ook the Book is a unique book bursting with rhyme, rhythm and fun word-plays! This book will help young readers develop an awareness of individual sounds, as well as rhyming word patterns, or families, necessary for early reading. Children will also enjoy and appreciate the creativity and playful humor found in the colorful illustrations by Shannon McNeill.

As the book is read aloud, take time for children to enjoy the wordplay and engaging illustrations. Give children time to enjoy talking about all things that they see in the illustrations. This is a book they will want to read or have you read to them again and again!

Focus Question
In each rhyme the author has chosen a different word pattern, or family. Can you use this word pattern to continue the rhyme?

• Activity
  Choose your favorite rhyme, read it or say it out loud, and add another line or two to make it longer! Have fun with words and make it as silly as you can!

Focus Questions
Are there any other rhyming patterns that you could use to make a new rhyme? Perhaps you have one in your name or in a friend's name?

• Activity
  Write your own rhyme using a pattern or rhyme of your choice. Follow the authors pattern and start with "I am _ the _ ..."

Focus Question
In each rhyme there are words that belong in the same family, for example, look and book. Can you find some rhyming words on each page and say them out loud? Do you notice that your mouth forms the same shape? Do you notice that the words look alike on the page?

• Activity
  Play Rhyming Concentration!
  Take six index cards. On each card write two rhyming words such as look and book. Cut cards in half between the words. When you have six pairs (twelve cards total), turn the cards face down and taking turns with a partner, turn them over to find a match. Keep the pairs you find. The winner will have the most rhyming pairs!

Focus Questions
What is a question? Many rhymes in this book have questions. How often does the author ask a question?

• Activity
  Count how many questions there are in this book and after reading them write your own rhyming questions. Remember to use the question mark (?). Draw or paint a silly picture to go with your questions.

Focus Question
The author has used things she sees around her to make rhymes. Do you have things in your room, at home or at school that you could use to make a silly rhyme?

• Activity
  Look around your house or yard at home and make signs for your things, for example, Freddy the Teddy, Munchbox the Lunchbox. Have fun creating your own signs using paper, crayons and markers and stick them around your room or yard.

Focus Question
What can you see around you that you could use to play a game of "I Spy"?

• Activity
  Play "I Spy" using a rhyming word. Say "I spy with my little eye something that rhymes with "nook." Your partner will look around and find a "book."