Ladybug Nominee

The Wall in the Middle of the Book

Author/Illustrator:  Jon Agee

ISBN: 978-0525555452

Publisher:  Dial Books (October 2, 2018)

There's a wall in the middle of the book, and our hero--a young knight--is sure that the wall protects his side of the book from the dangers of the other side--like an angry tiger and giant rhino, and worst of all, an ogre who would gobble him up in a second! But our knight doesn't seem to notice the crocodile and growing sea of water that are emerging on his side. When he's almost over his head and calling for help, who will come to his rescue? An individual who isn't as dangerous as the knight thought--from a side of the book that might just have some positive things to offer after all!

About Jon Agee

Website: http://www.jonagee.com/

Twenty Questions: http://www.jonagee.com/html/20questions.php

Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/X_zeRNiEot8

Big Ideas: Preconceived notions or assumptions, xenophobia, symbolism, fear & safety

Questions:

• Why is there a wall?
• Is the other side better or safer?
• Is it wise to pre-judge people?

Vocabulary: Protects, Ogre, Fantastic

Activities:

• Story map lesson plans by Teaching Books Net
• Kindergarten Americansymbols lesson plan
• Elementary School Symbolismlesson plan
• Art: How are shapes, color and text placement used in the book to help tell the story?

Companion Titles:

• Read about inclusiveness and hospitality in Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates; co-written with Juniper Bates (Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2018)
• Community, resilience, and optimism: The Breaking News by Sarah Lynne Reul (Roaring Brook Press, 2018)
• Overcoming fear of what we can’t see: The Dark by Lemony Snicket; illustrated by Jon Klassen (Little, Brown & Co., 2013)

Preconceived notions

• They All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel (Chronicle Books, 2016)
• Flashlight by Lizi Boyd (Chronicle Books, 2014)
• Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems (Hyperion Books for Children, 2005)
• The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf; illustrated by Robert Lawson (Viking Press, 1936)
• The New Neighbors by Sarah McIntyre (Penguin Workshop, 2019)

Other Links and Resources:

•  Teaching about bias is a good time to talk about reliable news sources and biases in news. Resource at https://www.weareteachers.com/recognize-bias/
• Resources on TeachingElections from Teaching Tolerance
• Check your own biases
• Critical practices forAnti-Bias Education from Teaching Tolerance
• Guide for Selecting Anti-BiasChildren’s Books from Teaching for Change 
•  Articles on anti-bias early childhood education from Teaching for Change  

 This is one of ten titles nominated for the 2019 Ladybug Picture Book Award. This info sheet post was created by Deborah Dutcher, Youth and Adult Services Librarian, NHSL and Karen Landsman,  Library Media/Tech Integration Specialist, Hooksett School District.