The House That Jack Built
By Simms Taback
What's special about this book?
Imagine a house full of whimsical chaos, where every little detail adds to a grand adventure! In 'The House That Jack Built,' children will delight in the playful rhymes and the delightful illustrations as they follow Jack and the hilarious sequence of events that unfold in his house. Parents and educators love this book for its engaging storytelling that promotes literacy skills and reinforces the concept of cause and effect in a fun, memorable way.
Read-aloud tips
To bring the lively essence of 'The House That Jack Built' to life, create an energetic reading environment by gathering cozy cushions and blankets that invite your child to snuggle in. Use varied voices for each character – a silly voice for Jack, a deep voice for the dog, and a high-pitched voice for the cat – to capture the humor and whimsy of the story. As you read, pause after each verse and encourage your child to predict what might happen next or to describe the characters' feelings, making the experience interactive and fostering their critical thinking skills.
Discussion questions
- What animals and people does Jack encounter in his house?
- Can you think of a time when something unexpected happened at your home? What was it?
- If you could add one more character to Jack's story, who would it be and what wild experience would they bring?
Fun activities
After reading 'The House That Jack Built,' engage your child in a fun activity by creating their own silly rhyme about an object in your home, like their favorite toy or a family pet. Encourage them to think about what happens next in the story, fostering creativity and expression. Additionally, you can build a mini version of Jack's house using blocks or cardboard, discussing the various characters that might visit and how they would interact with each other, which helps develop spatial awareness and storytelling skills.