Informational Resources:

Author and Illustrator Information:

Vikram Madan

https://www.vikrammadan.com/

Celebrating Poetry for Children: A Conversation with Debut Author, Vikram Madan

http://www.jamespreller.com/tag/a-hatful-of-dragons/

Activities & Resources:

Poetry

Make a figurative language cootie catcher:

https://1.cdn.edl.io/0VXYpRyg0UHiQmWjGETtIo5L8LpNojtY4BmlgqLnJnb1CZwf.pdf

Create your own poem with Poetry Machine:

https://www.poetrygames.org/poetry-machine/

Poetry Speed Dating:

Gather up all the poetry books you can find, and invite students to bring their favorites too. Students spend the class period “speed dating” the books—they simply browse and skim, looking for poems and authors that catch their eye.

Play a game of poetry bingo:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11wIlOix9HNL4FHeJqrzfMjvpEUqwkRBj/view

Try your hand at some magnetic poetry:

http://play.magneticpoetry.com/poem/Kids/kit

Make a poetry inspiration scrapbook:

https://www.poetry4kids.com/activities/how-to-create-a-poetry-inspiration-scrapbook/

Bring a poem to life with Classroom Poetry Charades:

https://www.poetry4kids.com/activities/classroom-poetry-charades/

Organize and host an open mic poetry party:

https://www.poetry4kids.com/lessons/how-to-host-an-open-mic-poetry-party/

Poetry Scavenger Hunt:

See if you can find examples of the following poetic devices and forms in this book: metaphor, onomatopoeia, simile, limerick, haiku, rhyme, internal rhyme, stanza, alliteration, assonance, personification, repetition, rhythm, refrain, hyperbole.

Create a picture poem like the “Australian Animal Chant” on page 54-55. Can you create your own version using food, emojis, or insects?

MakerSpace Activities:

Create a 3-D tunnel haiku book:

http://www.teachkidsart.net/haiku-tunnel-books/

Try out these STEM poetry activities:

https://www.weareteachers.com/6-surprising-math-activities-you-can-do-with-shel-silverstein-poetry/

Watch this award winning stop motion poem and then create your own:

https://vimeo.com/89524515

Can you trust your senses? Play the Poetry Smelling Game:

https://www.poetry4kids.com/activities/poetry-smelling-game/

Please Don’t Read This Poem: A Poetry Activity Using Invisible Ink:

https://www.poetry4kids.com/activities/please-dont-read-this-poem-a-poetry-activity-using-invisible-ink/

Discussion Questions:

Vikram Madan is both the author and illustrator of this book. Which of his illustrations in the book is your favorite. Why?

How do the illustrations in this book enhance the poems?

Which poem in this book is your favorite? Why?

Which poem in this book is your least favorite? Why?

This collection of poems is very humorous. What are some ways the author shows humor throughout the book?

The author says his poetry is influenced by Dr. Seuss, Shel Silverstein, and Jack Prelutsky. Point out some ways that his poetry shows these influences.

The author uses a variety of conventional and unconventional types of poetry formats within this book. What is your favorite poetry format found in the book?

This book has recurring characters pictured throughout the book. Why do you think the author chose to do this?

“The Band-Aid and the Chewing Gum”

Describe a time where you stepped or sat on something gross.

“13,841,287,201* Nonsense Poems in One!”

Look at the format of this poem. What are your thoughts about it?

“Our Favorite Uncle”

Do you have a favorite uncle? If so, what makes him your favorite?

“Brouhaha: A Cracked-Concrete Poem”

Why do you think the author chose to do the poem in this format? Do you think it is effective? Why or why not?

“Fifty Ukeleles”

The title of this poem is misspelled. Do you think this is an accident? Why or why not?

“Permanent Guests”

Have you ever had a “nightmare” houseguest or one that stayed a little too long? Describe your experience.

The author originally wanted to use “There’s a Dragon in My Wagon” as the title of the book, but changed his mind because there were already several books with that title. What would you have chosen for the book’s title? Why?

“The Haunting”

Describe a time where you got spooked by something.

“The Helpful Pet”

What kind of pet do you think would be helpful to you?

“Time Machine”

If you could time travel to any era, where would you go? Why?

Book Talk Teasers:

The Flippy, Floppy Flappers read by Vikram Madden (2:24):

https://youtu.be/hiOkWkdLmwY

Here’s a cool flip-through video that Vikram made for the book (:33):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XswGM2FLlBM&feature=youtu.be

Read the readers theater for A Hatful of Dragons.

Read Alikes:

Silly Poetry

Brown, Calef. Up Verses Down: Poems, Paintings, and Serious Nonsense. A long-format poetry collection by the award-winning creator of Hypnotize a Tiger complements vibrantly rendered artwork of a fantastical world with whimsical verses describing a host of zany characters. (NoveList Plus)

Harris, Chris. I'm Just No Good at Rhyming: and Other Nonsense for Mischievous Kids and Immature Grown-ups. An illustrated collection of comically irreverent rhyming poems for readers of all ages, ranging in topic from avocados and anacondas to zombies and zebras (dressed like ghosts). (NoveList Plus)

Florian, Douglas. Poem Depot: Aisles of Smiles. An illustrated collection of silly nonsense poems about topics kids care about: talents, avoiding homework, friends, and more. (NoveList Plus)

Prelutsky, Jack. I've Lost My Hippopotamus. A latest collection of previously unpublished poems by the first children's poet laureate features a variety of poetic forms and includes such subjects as skating potatoes, "pelicantaloupes," and crickets with hiccups. (NoveList Plus)

Silverstein, Shel. Every Thing On It. A collection of poems and drawings features an assortment of characters, including Stick-A-Tongue-Out Sid and Transparent Tim. (NoveList Plus)