Title:  Fangbone! Third Grade Barbarian

Author:  Michael Rex

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Year: 2012

ISBN:  13: 978-0-399-25521-2

Genre: Graphic Novel

This book is for Ages: 7 and up.

Plot Summary:    Fangbone is a young boy from Skullbania.  Although he wants to be a warrior, the other warriors think he is just a child, or even worse, a runt.  When the clans are threatened, Fangbone is chosen to as guardian of the Big Toe of Drool.   He is sent to a land, far away from the evil armies of Drool where he must keep the Big Toe safe or  his clans will be destroyed.  Fangbone is sent to Earth where he becomes a member of Eastwood Elementary School Grade Classroom 3G.  Fangbone makes some new friends but is he safe or will Drool find him and send Dirt Devils and other evil creatures to get back his toe.

Review:   At first glance I was a little leery of this book.  While I thought many seven-year-old boys might like it because it refers to boogers, poop, and armpits.   This book is more than just silly grossness in barbarous wrapper.  It is quite clever with references to Thor, Conan, and creation stories.  It has plenty of action and humor to keep even the most reluctant reader entertained.  The images are sufficiently disgusting to keep even big boys laughing.  There are even a few jokes that just the grown-ups might get.  

I had a great time preparing and presenting this storytime.  Not everything went perfectly. I had trouble with a couple of the flannel pieces and my bubble wand. I will have to work on that next time.  I was really happy with the books.  A young boy spontaneously start calling out, “Fred!” as we read Time for Bed, Fred!   Here is a look at my plan:

Storytime Theme: Dogs

Opening Song

Book 1: Bark George  - Jules Fiefer 

Activity 1: Fingerplay “Five Dogs” by Gail Benton

The 1st little dog said "owooo".         

The 2nd little dog said "ruff".
The 3rd little dog said "woof, woof".

The 4th little dog said "arf, arf".

The 5th little dog wouldn't join in.

He just chewed his bone with a great big grin.

Book 2: Dog’s Colorful Day – Emma Dodd  Flannel Board Story

Activity 2: Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes

Book 3: Time for Bed, Fred! – Yasmeen Ismail

Developmental Note:  When reading books like Time for Bed Fred, encourage your child to tell you what is happening in the illustrations.  You will help your child build prereading narrative skills.

Activity 3: “Hokey Pokey”

Calming Activity: “Open, Shut Them”

Book 4: Lift a flap book - Sorry, I  forgot which one I used.

Activity 4: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” in English then Spanish or Japanese.

Developmental Note:  Singing with your child is a fun way to help them learn that words are made of syllables.

Closing Song