Reviews five children's books that deal with the theme of losing things and the feelings that can accompany it. Also discusses the loss of intangible things, such as talent, concentration, temper, or patience, and presents five creative activities that deal more with the loss of objects. (LRW)

Discusses the use of tea parties to stimulate children to use their creativity to plan, organize, and think about the materials they would need. Considers the use of riddles and gives examples of tea parties from literature, including fantasy books. (LRW)

Discusses the value of tall tales for children and focuses on tall tale heroines that have become more prevalent and offer models of strong, resourceful, undaunted women. Includes examples of popular tall tale heroines and offers suggestions for class activities. (LRW)

Discusses childrens' interest in messages and messengers; describes the role and impact of messages in a variety of books; and presents ideas for activities for elementary and secondary school students that suggest imaginative ways of using words, symbols, and language to offer children the chance to become messengers and communicators. (36…

Discusses characters in books that are portrayed as oddball, or different from their peers, and are therefore misunderstood and often mistreated and ostracized. Suggests activities for elementary and middle school students based on books and films that include oddball characters. (LRW)

Addresses the theme of redemption and examines characters who try to make things right in literature and film. Reviews six books and two films and suggests creative activities for middle school students that tie in with the works cited. (LRW)

Describes how children can become immersed in the world of fairy tales through activities such as choosing a character and developing a monolog, and creating a pantomime, a prop and a piece of advice, all relevant to their character and story. Includes a list of resources. (AEF)

Uses excerpts from children's literature to describe types of gatherings that attract and bring children together. Identifies positive gathering situations (family, neighborhood, and cultural) and negative gathering situations. Presents sample activities that can be carried out in classroom settings to help students recreate gatherings and learn…

Discusses children's tastes in music and reviews children's books that have music as a theme. Presents a creative activities sampler for younger and older children as well as a list of resources, including books and films. (LRW)

Describes funny characters in children's books and films, including humorous children, adults, and animal characters. Considers younger children and middle grade and older children and suggests library media center activities for various age groups. (LRW)

Describes how riddles can help children develop intellectually and interact socially. Discusses riddles for children in various works: geography, poetry, mathematics, and folklore. Presents a sampler of creative activities for children, including play-acting, interviewing parents, designing exhibits, imitating news reporters, and setting up a…

Describes examples in children's literature dealing with the theme of perfection and discusses ways to engage middle school children in a discussion of this. Suggests four creative activities that can help children to realize they cannot always be perfect. Lists books and films on this topic. (AEF)

Discusses the theme of humiliation and the fear of humiliation in various stories for children and adolescents. Highlights include ethnicity and isolation, class bully torments, having a "special needs" relative, dreams of exclusion, and teacher crushes. Provides suggested activities for role-playing and human rights research. (AEF)

Considers the playground as an informal educational setting for social learning. Discusses interactions that take place between children and playground behavior; describes books that deal with playground behavior; and includes creative class activities, including role playing, that address playground behavior. (LRW)

Discusses the theme of snitching, or tattling, in literature and films as well as in school life. Considers what motivates behavior, when tattling is appropriate, and historical examples such as the McCarthy era and the Nazis. Provides ideas for creative learning activities for elementary school, middle school, and high school students. (LRW)