Did you take the B from my -ook? by Beck and Matt Stanton

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Books that drive people crazy! series. ABC Books, 2016. ISBN 9780733334832
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Another entertaining read-aloud picture book from Beck and Matt Stanton is ready to delight the reader and their audience - Did You Take the B from My -ook? What happens when your favourite letter b disappears from your story, after an enormous sneeze?
Now it is time to trip up the adult reading aloud. Each tricky statement about things that are loved is missing the beginning letter: ed not bed, all - ball, ull - bull. Each is followed by questions that demand an audience response; they will love the repartee paired with the simple visual cues, especially the large capital B running away. The large white text placed on the solid colour backgrounds is accessible to a whole class or group; wait for their laughter and reactions. Expressive reading and change of tone assists with their engagement.
Excitement builds in the second half when the individual animals and objects come back, stacked up on the bed and balanced precariously. The final demand is almost at fever pitch - 'Come back B!' and the story ends brilliantly. Bravo!
A wonderful resource for educators, useful as a lead in to writing stories with alternative missing letters or sounds, alphabet books and phonics lessons, for drama and oral presentations.
Rhyllis Bignell

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