FIELD TRIPS? This One STINKS!

In case you missed it, take a look soon at a delightful back-to-school book. Author Becky Scharnhorst and illustrator Julia Patton produced a laugh-out loud picture book in summer, 2021, just in time for September sharing: MY SCHOOL STINKS, reviewed HERE. In that original work there were so many things to love: a dear diary text format, a nervous/anxious new student, and the consequences of one wrong turn leading that young student into WILDWOOD ELEMENTARY (populated with incredibly appealing animals). The humor and characters were the stars, but the underlying theme was equally powerful- giving new/strange individuals a chance can prove to be worthwhile.

FLAMINGO BOOKS (PRH), 2022)

Now, just a year later, the crew is back in THIS FIELD TRIP STINKS by the same creative pair. My years of teaching experience were activated when reading this.  Field trips early in the school year can be challenging but valuable, because it is an outdoor setting, is timed for a study unit, and can serve as a bonding experience. 

DING! DING! DING!

This fits all three typical September school field trip experiences, including some class members who are NOT feeling excited about the risks such as event might entail. In this case, our nervous character continues his personal approach to mitigating his nerves by writing. In this case, his writing forms field notes for each step along the paths they explore and each problem encountered. 

The teacher, Mr. Grizzly, is back, along with the other classroom critters, complete with their humor and typical/species traits that provide subtle learning asides. Crocodile sidekick Charlie is a loyal and reassuring presence. I especially enjoyed the plot line, offering several foundational aspects to an otherwise light and laughable text. The contrast of nerves and confidence among the students allows for some early reading explorations of character traits, and Mr. Grizzly's blunder sets the stage for an unexpected rescue by the timid protagonist. I really enjoy it when a teacher's fumble is featured in a picture book. Kids will delight in finding  countless visual asides, too, reflecting various animal instincts.

In this title the original cautious personality is expanded and shows some growth, but also reflects the prior book's indication of directional confusion. Along with the use of diary/field notes to dissipate anxiety, his documentation provides a map for saving the day! The content is a just-right amount of story and detail for young readers to be able to generate a story map of key events and problem solving, as well as predicting,.

There are so many ways in which this title, used alone or in combination with the original title, can serve as mentor text and as templates for diary writing, field notes, mapping, and word play. I very much encourage sharing these books for the simple fun they provide, but also for returning to in future for craft discussions and for science and friendship themes.