Book Activity: Mmm, Cookies!

This fantastically fun read is by one of my favorite authors, Robert Munsch.  He began as a storyteller who always knew how to get and keep a child’s attention, and was later convinced to put his stories into print.  This silly tale follows a little boy through his mischief as he makes pretend cookies out of playdough and serves them to his unsuspecting family and friends.  It’s sure to grab the interest young children as they join in the repetitive text and absorb the outrageous illustrations of the characters’ outlandish reactions to eating playdough.

Each time Christopher makes a new cookie, this book implements a fantastic use of onomatopoeia with a repetitive text that just begs for kids to join in.  Here’s how I do it (words in italics from the text):

“He whapped it in his hands-Whap, whap, whap, whap.”  (Have everyone join in the “whap’s” and clap your hands together like you’re patting dough.)

“Made it nice and round – Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish.” (Make the “swish’s” together while rubbing hands together in a circular motion.)

“Sprinkled it with sugar – Chick, chick, chick, chick, chick.” (While saying “chick”, rub fingers of one hand together above the other open hand, as though sprinkling the sugar.)

“Covered it with yellow icing – Glick, glick, glick, glick, glick.” (With each “glick”, rub one hand on the other as though spreading something thick.)

“And put some raisins on top – Plunk, plunk, plunk, plunk, plunk.” (“Plunk” pretend raisins by poking the pointer finger and thumb into the other palm.)

This pattern repeats several times.  The first time you may need to be explicit with the children, inviting them to join in with you, but by the end they’ll know just when to come in! 

After reading this story, make some playdough cookies of your own using the classic playdough recipe, along with some glitter sprinkles, beads, or whatever comes to mind!  Just make the children promise they won’t feed them to their parents like Christopher did!  You may also want to check out this edible playdough cookie recipe for real cookies that only LOOK like playdough for a fun twist on the story!

Developmental Objectives:  Language and Literacy Skills, Creativity, and Small Motor Skills