Invent your own MaxiCat
In markers or crayons or pencils, draw an animal character based on a pet or animal you've met. Give it one habit, one talent, and one very smart idea.
Bring MaxiCat into the classroom
Curriculum themes
Character
What makes MaxiCat MaxiCat? How does his habits, personality and character traits reveal
who he is by what he does?
Rules & choices
MaxiCat is told "no" but finds a way to compromise with Aunty Mum. A good way in to talking about choices and being open to new ideas.
Words & pictures together
How do the words and pictures combine to enhance the story and bring it to life?
Making things with family
Two co-authors who write and draw together. A way in to collaborative story and art projects.
Discussion questions
How would you describe MaxiCat to someone who's never met him? Use three words.- Aunty Mum says no. But MaxiCat wouldn't accept that. Was that brave, naughty, creative, or something else?
- Find a picture where Dylan shows you something the words don't say. What is it?
- You are writing and illustrating a book with someone. Who would be the author? Who would be the illustrator?
Which would come first?
Classroom activities
Writer and illustrator pairs
Like Michele and Dylan: one child writes four sentences, the other illustrates them, then they swap and do it again. Compare what the pictures added.
What might he do?
What might he do? MaxiCat finds a secret cave in the forest. What might happen next? — then read it aloud in MaxiCat's voice.
School visits
Michele reads MaxiCat and the Mysterious Forest aloud and talks about how MaxiCat inspired the story. She shows how the illustrations evolve from an idea to a storyboard to the book's finished illustrations. Finish with a coloring activity sheet of MaxiCat from the book's illustrations. Approximately 30 minutes. Ages 4–8.
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