Author Patricia Polacco has been writing and illustrating amazing children’s books for years and years. Her humorous, touching, inspiring, and downright heart wrenching stories make her a unique author for an author study. Most appropriate for 3rd-4th grade students, use this information and these ideas to conduct your own Patricia Polacco author study.
About the Author. Patricia Polacco was born in Lansing, Michigan and although she spent 37 years in Oakland, California, she found her way back to Michigan and lives there currently. When Polacco’s parents divorced when she was only 3 years old, they moved into their respective parents’ homes. Because of this, Patricia Polacco grew up around both sets of grandparents and they were very influential and inspiring to her. This influence shows vividly in her books. Patricia Polacco suffers from dyslexia and as a child was told she was “dumb” because she was unable to read until she was almost 14 years old. She has a PhD in Art History and began her career restoring ancient art pieces for art museums. Polacco did not write her first children’s book until she was 41 years old. It’s amazing what a bibliography she has created with such a “late” start compared to other well-known authors.
Best Books. Patricia Polacco has dozens of amazing books. Among all of the best children’s authors out there, her books are the most difficult to narrow down to “best books.” The wonderful Thunder Cake is a beautiful look into her relationship with her “Babushka” or grandmother. Thank You Mr. Faulker is one of her most touching tales. “G” is for Goat is a wonderful alphabet book for young readers. The Lemonade Club is one of the very few children’s picture books that deals with cancer. Emma Kate is a cute and funny look into the typical childhood world of imaginary friends. And My Rotten Red Headed Older Brother is a great look into the unique relationship of siblings.
Learning Activities. Patricia Polacco’s books almost always have a lesson to be learned so not only can students do specific learning activities when participating in a Patricia Polacco author study, they can also learn lessons on life skills, ethics, and behavior.
A great learning activity for many Patricia Polacco books is available on her website. Puzzles based on the illustrations from about a dozen of her books are available on the website. Students can work using their computer mouse to recreate the picture by putting together the puzzle correctly. This is a fun activity for students and promotes problem solving skills and also computer mouse skills.
Another great activity to do with a Patricia Polacco author study is to have students create their own recipes. Read the book Thundercake and provide some homemade Thundercake for students if desired (the recipe is in the book). Then let students come up with their very own recipes. Be creative and specific with your expectations. For instance, have students come up with other recipes to help a little brother, sister, or cousin cope with an issue, just like the little girl in Thundercake makes the cake to help her deal with her fear of thunderstorms. Students might create First Day of School Fudge, Doctor Visit Casserole, or Braces Brownies. Have students write out the ingredients list and instructions for putting together the recipe.
Source: www.patriciapolacco.com
http://www.patriciapolacco.com/fun/puzzles/index.html (direct link to online puzzles)
