PPBF: Maurice's Valises

Today's PPBF - the last until September - is actually a new series for which I've been helping write teacher activities, so you can imagine that it's a product I firmly enjoy and endorse!


Title: Maurice's Valises: Moral Tails in an Immoral World
Author: J.S. Friedman
Illustrator: Chris Beatrice
Publisher: Mouse Prints Press
Date: September 3, 2013
Suitable for ages: K-grade 4
Fiction
Themes: integrity, empathy, honesty, trust
Brief Synopsis: Travel with Maurice, the mouse, as his journeys take him through the fables. In the first of this book's series, Maurice, a master storyteller, recounts his story of The Rat Who Cried Skunk, a nice parallel to the Aesop's Fable, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, to help his offspring learn the value of telling the truth.

Opening pages: Since my office is being cleaned for the summer, I'm unable to get to my copy of the book so that I can share the opening pages.

Resources:  Visit the author's website {here}.
Activity ideas and an App for adults {here}.
Check out the book's Facebook page {here}.
Enjoy the illustrator's beautiful work {here}.
Download it or listen to a sample at iTunes {here}.
Using a double bubble graphic organizer, compare and contrast Aesop's The Boy Who Cried Wolf with the skunk tale in this story.

Why I like this book: I find it delightful revisiting the old fables coupled with this author's entertaining twists through the eyes of a Mouse. New vocabulary introduced and the moral scrolls both cleverly tie the present back to the past. The valise totally lends itself to a discussion about a Character Case, so my activity suggestions {available soon} revolve around what a student would put in his/her character case were they to travel the world like Maurice. I can see it being used as a wonderful springboard for cultural integration as well.

Check out this series; 
I think you'll enjoy this Mentor Mouse 
and his lessons learned.

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Since Father's Day is just around the corner, 
I wanted to take this opportunity to share a recent father-child outing. Here's a seven-minute musical clip from a small polka band that John put together for the local German Restaurant.
Enjoy John Loessin on trombone,
My husband on tuba, 
our son, Jacob, on trumpet,
and our daughter, Kaitlyn, on clarinet.
Notice that in the last song, a K student from my school
tried his hand at directing, then came back with 
a dollar looking for "the money jar." It was tooooooo cute!




Then visit our friends at Happify to see the interesting facts 
that they shared on their Dad's Infographic.

I'm going off the grid for a little bit, so
here's to all the Dandy Dads out there; 
enJOY your special day on Sunday!





11 comments

  1. I really love the books you share on character, values and integrity. This sounds like another winner. Great video. Such a talented family that plays together. The little boy directing was so cute. He felt the music!

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    1. Thank you, Pat. I think you'll like Maurice. I think I have an extra copy of Story 4 at the office if you want me to send it to you. PM me on FB.

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  2. Ach, wie schoen! Polka Musik! The book's cover looks wonderful!

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    1. Yes, these are terrific titles, Julie! Thanks for stopping by and speaking some German with us ... now if only I knew exactly what you said ...

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  3. I certainly can't argue with the aim of this book. Thanks. I'll be checking them out.

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    1. Yes, there's also a muse that I forgot to mention ... kind of a "conscience" if you will ... I think that kids are going to LOVE these tails/tales!

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  4. I love the look of this book! And it sounds like it will be a good series to have around. Thanks for sharing the book and all the links. AND the music video! Great!!!

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    1. Thank you, Rhythm. I believe you'll LOVE Maurice, his muse, and his meanderings! Thank you, as always, for popping in at the Corner. I can feel the wagging of your tail!!

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  5. This looks darling and wonderful - LOVE the cover. Thanks for sharing!

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  6. This looks like an ambitious project! I love Maurice's ears. :) Hope I can find a copy to check it out.

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  7. Oh this is a wonderful book, I must check it out at my local Library. I have to say I smiled to myself as I listened and watched your lovely video. It brought back memories of our holidays in Europe. Although Kiwi's my hubby and I belong to an Austrian club here in NZ and we dress up and dance for audiences to such music as your family play. Lovely, lovely... Thank you!

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I really enjoy hearing from my readers; thanks for sharing your reflections with us!