Author/Illustrator: Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel
Publisher: Harcourt
Publication Date: 2005
Genre: picture book
Audience: Gr. Pre-K+
Overview: When a tennis ball accidentally finds it way into a prairie dog hole, it creates some confusion and dilemma for the inhabitants of the tunnel. There are many word plays, puns, and unexpected uses of interesting, sophisticated vocabulary, and a great deal of alliteration (fuzz frenzy, fuzzy foolishness, etc.).
Activity: A great way to think in multiple perspectives… Just what DOES happen to animals that live under ground? Do a “grasshopper” walk and begin to imagine life underground (or in trees, under the water, etc.) Great play on language, this story helps paint pictures with action words.
Reviewer’s Name: Deb Marciano
Winner of the 2006 Notable Books for Language Arts Award.
