Reading Activities: Goth Moth by Kai Lüftner, illustrated by Wiebke Rauers

Goth Moth
Author: Kai Lüftner
Illustrator: Wiebke Rauers
Translator: Tim Mohr
3 September 2024
NorthSouth Books
32 pages

Book description: “From the world of Jitterbug, a picture book for any child who is afraid to step into the limelight and try something new!

Walter is a shy moth. He prefers to hide out in his quiet attic. But a fiery passion slumbers in him … In his heart he is a drummer, a true “Goth Moth.” There’s just one problem: Walter has no drums, let alone a band. The moth adores the music by Jitterbug (also known as Lady B. Marie)—his idol. At one of her concerts, the unimaginable happens: the Goth Moth now finds himself on stage, in the limelight.

Kai Lüftner’s rollicking rhymes tell the story of someone who flies under the radar with daring rhythm. Wiebke Rauers prepares the stage for our shy hero in such a thrilling way that you too will become a Goth Moth fan.

Rock on with Walter the Goth Moth and Lady B. Marie the Jitterbug in these musical refrains about being yourself!”



Reading Activities inspired by Goth Moth:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front cover: 
    • What do you see on the cover of the book? What kind of story do you think this will be?
    • The main character is called “Goth Moth.” What do you think that means? Have you ever heard of the word “goth” before?
    • What kind of music do you think a “Goth Moth” might like? Do you have a favorite kind of music?
    • Based on the cover illustration, what do you think the pictures inside the book will look like?
    • What questions would you like to ask the author–or the illustrator –before reading the book?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • How did you feel about Walter at the beginning of the story? Did your feelings change by the end?
    • Why do you think Walter admires Jitterbug so much? If you could meet your idol, what would you say to them?
    • Walter was nervous to perform in front of others. Have you ever felt that way? How did you overcome your nerves?
    • The story talks about the difference between day and night. What are some things that are different about these two times of day?
    • Walter found the courage to share his passion for drumming. What’s something you’re passionate about that you’d like to share with others?
    • If you were friends with Walter, what would you do together?
    • Would you recommend this book to a friend? What part would you tell them about first?
  • Moth Mask Making: Create your own Goth Moth mask using cardboard, paint, and other craft supplies. Decorate it with lines, stars, or anything else that inspires you. Cut out a moth shape from cardboard, then use paint, glitter, feathers, or anything else you can find to decorate it. Make it as unique as you are! You can even add pipe cleaners for antennae or googly eyes for a silly touch.
  • Shadow Puppet Show: Put on a shadow puppet show inspired by the story. Use a flashlight and cut-​out shapes to recreate Walter’s journey from his attic to the stage. You can use cardboard or construction paper to create your puppets. Get creative with the shapes and sizes! Invite your friends and family to watch your show.
  • Nighttime Nature Walk: With a parent or older sibling, explore the outdoors at night with a flashlight and see what creatures you can find. Remember to be respectful of their homes and habitats. Listen for the sounds of crickets, owls, or other nocturnal animals. See if you can spot any fireflies or moths! Draw pictures or take photos of what you discover.
  • Rhyming Riddles: Write some rhyming riddles about bugs or music. Share them with your friends and see if they can guess the answers! Here’s an example: I have wings but cannot fly, I light up the night sky. What am I? (A firefly). You can also try writing acrostic poems using the words “MOTH” or “MUSIC.”
  • From Shy to Stage” Comic Strip: Illustrate a comic strip depicting Walter’s journey from shyness to performing on stage. Capture his emotions and experiences in each panel. Use speech bubbles and thought bubbles to show what Walter is thinking and feeling. You can even add sound effects like “BOOM” and “CRASH” to bring your comic strip to life.
  • Behind the Music” Interview: Imagine you’re interviewing Walter after his big performance. Write a list of questions you’d ask him about his experience, such as:
    • What was it like to play on a real drum kit? 
    • How did it feel to be on stage with Jitterbug? 
    • What advice would you give to other shy kids who have big dreams?
  • Further Reading: If you loved the rock-​and-​roll energy of Goth Moth, you’ll be thrilled to discover these other picture books that feature amazing bands and musical adventures! Which of these have you already read? Which ones would you like to explore first?
    • The ABCs of Rock by Randy Diderrich, illustrated by Liz Bagby: Get ready to rock your ABCs with this fun picture book! From A to Z, discover all the coolest things about rock and roll, from amplifiers to zeppelin, with eye-​catching illustrations and fun facts along the way.
    • Elvis Is King! by Jonah Winter: Shake, rattle, and roll with the King of Rock and Roll himself, Elvis Presley! This vibrant picture book captures the energy and excitement of Elvis’s music and his impact on popular culture.
    • Punk Farm by Jarrett J. Krosoczka: On Old MacDonald’s farm, the animals aren’t just singing “E‑I-​E-​I‑O,” they’re rocking out! When the farmer goes to sleep, the cows, pigs, and chickens transform into a punk rock band, complete with mohawks and leather jackets. It’s a hilarious and rebellious story about letting loose and having fun.
    • Rock & Roll Highway: The Robbie Robertson Story by Sebastian Robertson, illustrated by Adam Gustavson: Embark on a musical journey with Robbie Robertson, a talented guitarist who found inspiration in the music of the Six Nations Indian Reservation. Follow his path from a young boy in Canada to the founder of The Band, a Grammy award winner, and a renowned film score composer. It’s an inspiring story about following your passion and making your mark on the world.
    • Rock ‘n’ Roll Soul by Susan Verde, illustrated by Matthew Cordell: Celebrate the history and legacy of rock and roll music with this vibrant picture book. From Chuck Berry to Jimi Hendrix, discover the pioneers who shaped this iconic genre and the music that continues to inspire generations.

 

Only Picture Books’ 18 Favorites of 2018

What better way to close out 2018 than with a list of OPB’s 18 favorites from this past year?

Some of these titles appeared in the (digital) pages of OPB.

Some didn’t. (Alas, this isn’t a comprehensive PB review site like PW, Kirkus, or others.)

But make no mistake–I’m a fan of these 18 titles. I’ll even offer up a sentence or three for each to give a sense about why I liked them.

 

Note #1: Every book listed below is a total winner via my super-​subjective estimation. By that, I mean:

  • I own a copy. (Yep. Not just the freebie ARCs/​galleys here!)
  • I’d be happy to read any of these with a child.
  • I’d be happy to re-​read any of these, even without a child handy.
  • I’d be happy to have written, illustrated, and/​or edited ANY of these.
  • I’d be pleased as Hawaiian punch for any of the involved authors, illustrators, and editors to hit up OPB for an interview. HINT HINT HINT!

Note #2: They aren’t ranked in any particular way, save alphabetically by title. Want to know the #1 picture book of 2018? Read them yourself and make your own choice. Post your choice as a comment here. Or offer it up on your social media. Or add your glowing recommendation on an Amazon or Goodreads page.

Note #3: I like notes.

Note #4: There should be more picture books about sloths. (Please refer to question #1 of the Speed Round of editor Kait Feldmann’s OPB interview for proof of this profound sloth lack!)

Note #5: Refer to notes 1–4, as needed.


Are You Scared, Darth Vader? by Adam Rex (3 July 2018)

I often bring a picture book to share at my SCBWI PALs meetings, and this one brought the house down. It’s loads of fun, but it’s far more than just a Star Wars nostalgia riff. Well done, Mr. Rex!

 

Carmela Full of Wishes by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson (9 October 2018)

If you liked Last Stop on Market Street, you’ll love de la Peña’s new book that powerfully spotlights children who are worthy of our attention. Plus Robinson’s acrylic paintings are rich and captivating. Simply terrific.

Enjoy an Oct 2018 interview about Carmela Full of Wishes with Matt and Christian at PW.

 

A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Marlon Bundo and Jill Twiss, illustrated by EG Keller

To everyone’s surprise, political satire and picture books can go together like chocolate and peanut butter. Plus Jim Parsons really rocks it on the audio version.

 

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López (28 August 2018)

It’s a memorable, inclusive story with lyrical writing and dreamy art. This is a book for every child who feels alone (which is to say “everybody” at one time or another).

Here’s The New York Times article on two of Woodson’s books (including this one).

 

Drawn Together by Minh Lê, illustrated by Dan Santat (5 June 2018)

This gorgeous book shows the power of art–and the creative process–in action. It’s a visual WOW.

Here’s a June 2018 NPR interview with Minh Lê about Drawn Together.

 

Giraffe Problems by Jory John, illustrated by Lane Smith (25 September 2018)

About twice a month, I go to my local library and grab two huge bags of whatever picture books catch my eye. Then I read them all at home. That’s the story of how I got introduced to this book, and it was the star of the whole batch by far. Clever. And full of positive messages too.

Here’s a Dec 2018 “speed interview” with Jory John on this cool book.

 

Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang, illustrated by Max Lang (15 May 2018)

The simplistic yet powerfully expressive illustrations are first-​rate. Plus there’s something wonderful about a grumpy monkey screaming “I’m not grumpy!” This is great for a kindergarten reading session. They’ll all make the faces along with the characters for sure.

 

How to Code a Sandcastle by Josh Funk, illustrated by Sara Palacios (15 Mary 2018)

No rhymes or delicious puns here, but instead you have a kid-​friendly book that shows how to break down a seemingly big problem into small, manageable steps. It’s smart, useful, and just silly enough to keep all the learning fun.

Here’s a “Simply 7” interview (by Jena Benton) with the always-​interesting Josh Funk.

 

I Am Human: A Book of Empathy by Susan Verde, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds (2 October 2018)

I’ve been paying attention to this picture book team since I Am Yoga and they continue to deliver. This book is a fine celebration of the beautiful imperfectness of humanity. It’s a book that says it’s okay to make mistakes, and that’s a fine lesson for young readers that counteracts the over-​tested, over-​scheduled, must-have-GPAs-higher-than‑4.0 world in which we live.

 

I Walk with Vanessa by Kerascoët (24 April 2018)

I’ve been a fan of this husband-​wife team since their graphic novel Beautiful Darkness. This picture book shows just how magical a wordless story can be.

Here’s a fine review of I Walk with Vanessa at Unleashing Readers.

 

Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love (23 April 2018)

This is a book that could’ve gone wrong in a host of ways … but doesn’t. It’s beautiful and empowering without being preachy.

Here’s a May 2018 interview with Jessica about this book at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast.

 

Mixed: A Colorful Story by Arree Chung (3 July 2018)

This celebratory book feels more relevant by the day. I’m also a fan of the graphic, eye-​catching style.

Read the full review of Mixed at OPB!

 

Night Job by Karen Hesse, illustrated by G. Brian Karas (11 September 2018)

This gentle story has a great big heart and Karas’ mixed media illustrations are spot-​on in every way.

Here’s the starred review of Night Job at Kirkus.

 

Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag by Rob Sanders, illustrated by Steven Salerno (10 April 2018)

I know Rob pretty well and despite that (just kidding, Rob!), I think this book is tremendously good and tremendously important. When Rob visited my Writing Picture Books class at Ringling College in spring 2018, he shared this book with them–it became the #1 most talked-​about book of the entire semester for the students, and for that reason alone, it’s got to be on this list. I also really dig the back matter timelines.

 

The Boo-​Boos that Changed the World: A True Story About an Accidental Invention (Really!) by Barry Wittenstein, illustrated by Chris Hsu (13 February 2018)

The retro look draws me in as much as the well-​told story about a now-​omnipresent first aid item.

Here’s a March 2018 speed interview with Barry at The Children’s Book Review.

 

The Eye that Never Sleeps: How Detective Pinkerton Saved President Lincoln by Marissa Moss, illustrated by Jeremy Holmes (6 November 2018)

The hip cartoony style works well with the text to present a memorable read about one of America’s greatest detectives.

 

The Wall in the Middle of the Book by Jon Agee (2 October 2018)

This book proves to be quite the discussion starter on the concepts of perspective and assumptions.

Here’s an October 2018 Q&A with Jon at PW.

Here’s an October 2018 interview with Jon at Let’s Talk Picture Books.

 

We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins (19 June 2018)

The character? Hilarious. The ending? Delightful. It’s the type of back-​to-​school book I wish I had when my kids were little.

Here’s a Q&A with Ryan at PW.