Papa Brings Me the World
Author: Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw
Illustrator: Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw
5 May 2020
Christy Ottaviano Books
40 pages
With Father’s Day just around the corner, this book about a cool dad (and his equally cool daughter) seemed like an especially good choice to feature in this month’s Education Activities.
Book description from Goodreads: “Most parents drive a car or ride a bus or train to work—but not Lulu’s papa. He navigates mountains, deserts, and oceans, each time returning home with pockets full of treasures. There’s an ancient calculator from China, a musical mbira from Zimbabwe, and a special game from Sumatra. But the best treasures are special stories Papa tells when he comes home—tales of playing peekaboo with rare birds in the Andes and befriending dragons in the Irish Sea.”
Need some reviews of Papa Brings Me the World?
And here’s a cool GIF of the cover from the publisher!
Educational Activities inspired by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw’s Papa Brings Me the World:
- Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover:
- Where and when does this story seem to take place?
- How might Papa “bring me the world”?
- What type of book are they looking at on the front cover?
- What is the child and her cat making on the back cover?
- If you could ask the author any one question before you read the book, what would it be?
- After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story:
- What do you see as Lulu’s main problem/challenge in this story?
- What were the most important events in the story?
- What is the main message of this book?
- What other story does Papa Brings Me the World remind you of?
- What seems like the most exciting part of Lulu’s Papa’s job (being a photojournalist)?
- Which of the stories/things that Papa brings her do you find most interesting? How people of Cameroon once bartered with potato mashers? The musical mbira from Zimbabwe? The ancient calculator from China? Something else?
- Writing–Now that Lulu has her own travel journal and is exploring the world, where do you imagine she’ll go? And what will she see/do? Write down a few of her adventures in as much detail as you choose.
- What does she see/smell/taste/touch?
- What are her favorite moments?
- What treasures will she bring back?
- Feel free to draw pictures to accompany your story.
- Perhaps share your results with a friend or adult?
- Activities–Try some of the following dad-themed crafts. Any of these would make a terrific Father’s Day gift, whether you ask him or another adult for help making it:
- Dipped Golf Tees–Make dad the sportiest dad on the links. Paint + golf tees = great gift idea. Spell out words with them (“Love,” “Dad,” “Thanks,” etc.) for added WOW!
- Fingerprint “Daddy & Me” Mug–Super simple to make and dads everywhere love this kind of present. (Trust me–I’m a dad, too!)
- Origami Shirt and Tie–This one’s a bit trickier than some because, well, origami. But look at how awesome the results are! And all you need are two pieces of paper.
- Paper Bag Dad Puppet–Who knew a brown paper lunch bag could be so much fun?
- Thumbprint Heard Glass Magnets–Wow, these are great. They can easily become necklaces, keychains, or simple keepsakes.
- Further Reading–Which of these other picture books about papas have you read? (Click on the book cover for more information on any of these titles!)
