Book description from Goodreads: “Have you ever wondered who’s the real boss of a story? The writer or the characters who live to tell the tale? Or both together?

Follow the Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf as they argue with the writer over what kind of story to tell. Will the hero become the villain? Find out in this fun introduction to the essential components of all great stories.”

Educational Activities inspired by Who’s Writing this Story?!:

• Before Reading–From looking at the front cover: 
  • Based on the cover, who do you think is writing the story?
  • Where and when do you think the story takes place?
  • How do you think the pigs and the wolf might change the story?
  • What questions on the back cover interest you most?
  • What questions would you like to ask the author–or the illustrator himself!–before reading the book?
• After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
  • Did the story turn out the way you expected? How was it different?
  • Which character did you like best? Why?
  • How did you react to the writer being booted from the story?
  • If you could change the ending of the story, what would you do?
  • What was your favorite part of the book and why?
  • Which illustration surprised you the most? Which did you like best?
  • Would you recommend this book to a friend? What part would you tell them about first?
• Fairytale Remix: Choose your favorite fairy tale or folk tale. Before you start rewriting, make a list of all the different elements of the story: characters, setting, plot, conflict, and resolution. Now, get creative and change some of those elements! Maybe Cinderella goes to the ball in a spaceship, or the Big Bad Wolf becomes a vegetarian. Think about how these changes would impact the story. Does the conflict change? Is there a different resolution? Write your new story, illustrate it,
• The Character Couch: Imagine you’re a talk show host or journalist. Choose one of the characters from Who’s Writing This Story? (or even the author of this book or the writer in the story!) and prepare a list of interview questions. You can ask about their thoughts on the original story, their motivations for changing it, or their opinions on the other characters. Find a friend or family member to act as your interviewee and record your “interview” for a fun way to share your insights.
• Pigs, Wolves, & Puppets, Oh My!: This isn’t just any puppet show – it’s a full-​on production! Create puppets of the characters and the writer, but also make props and scenery to match the different settings in the story. You can use cardboard boxes, construction paper, fabric scraps, or anything you can find around the house. Then, put on a show for your family or friends, perhaps with sound effects and music.
• Cover Creators Club: Gather your friends and family for a book cover design contest. Everyone gets to create their own cover for Who’s Writing This Story?. Encourage creativity and originality! Once all the covers are finished, put them up on display and have everyone vote for their favorite.
• Further Reading: Just like our Educational Activities book last month (Hey Bruce! An Interactive Book), our featured book this month, Who’s Writing this Story?! isn’t your typical picture book. It breaks the fourth wall, meaning the characters in the story know they’re in a book and directly talk to the reader!

  Here are yet MORE picture books that use this playful technique. Which of these have you read before? Which would you want to read first?