We’re reading an extra book for Simultaneous Storytime this year.
If you would like a book for children not quite ready for “the Brothers Quibble “ by Aaron Blabey, Penguin; why not try My Nana is a Ninja by Damon Young, illustrated by Peter Carnavas, Queensland University Press.
This story would also be useful for Grandparent Days at Early Education Centres or Playgroups.
These reviews show it’s heaps of fun. Storytime would be quite special if Nannas and Grandmothers shared the story with their families, playgroups and early education centres.
My Nanna is a Ninja is hilarious.’ LisaHill’sSchoolStuff’sWeblog Read more:
“Oh, but this book is fun! Author Damon Young and illustrator Peter Carnavas clearly both have a wonderfully quirky take on life, evident in every carefully chosen word and smile-inducing image.’
Read more from Kids Book Review
‘A fun, affirming celebration of the power of dynamic older women.’ NSW Teachers’ Federation.
Still not sure?
Watch Damon Young share the book with his young daughter.
It’s a great example of how children start to predict what comes next and can enjoy sharing the reading with you.
The book is in the 2015 NSW Premiers Reading Challenge K_2 booklist Most NSW local libraries have all the books from the Reading Challenge to borrow.
Preschool activities after sharing the story.
- Make a big book of your own with paintings of Nanna. Try words like “Some Nannas like to ….” as in the book.
- Make a simple bar graph of the things our clever Nanna’s can do.
- Make a photo album of pictures of Nanna and grandchildren doing things together. Even take a screenshot of Nanna reading a story or cooking by SKYPE or Face time.
- Colours: there are lots of colour words in the book. Who is wearing that colour today?
- Ask Nanna or Grandmother to help make “sweet apple pies”. Here’s an easy recipe using a pre bought piecrust. (Or just use scone dough)
- Ask Nanna’s and Grandmothers to help make a page for a large storybook together with their grandchildren
- Tell the story with a felt board or props. (Dress up like a Ninja!)
- Nanna’s can do amazing things- can the kids do a somersault as well ? (Or maybe a forward roll?)
- Listen to the action words (those Nanna’s have so much energy!) Why not make a sound story to go along with the reading? This wordle has some of the words you could use.
- One of the Nanna’s can yodel– quite a talent! If your kids don’t know what yodelling is, here is a 12-year-old girl from America’s Got Talent. (possible Ad alert- at the beginning)
Teacher’s notes
Queensland University Press has a set of teaching notes.
Grandparent books.
Read other books about Nannas. Find some on our Mothers Day post here. 
http://100storiesbeforeschool.com/sharing-our-special-stories-on-mothers-day/
Thanks also to My Little Bookcase for a post about Grandmother books.
For American friends, try these books from Read Brightly:
Damon Young and Peter Carnavas have collaborated on another book, 
My Pop is a Pirate, Penguin.
“Some pops scream “Huzzah!”when they dive in dazzling pools .But my pop is a pirate…he yells “Aaarrrgghhh!”and buries jewels. All pops are different.But what if your pop as really different?What if your pop was a …pirate? A rollicking and comical picture book celebrating pops and grandfathers everywhere and the joy and fun they bring to our lives. A must for every family and library. Text from Damon Young website. http://damon-young.blogspot.com.au/p/my-pop-is-pirate.html
Red Ted Art has an easy cardboard box pirate ship to make here: Red Ted Art DIY pirate ship
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