Fly Guy- Picture Book

Title- Prince Fly Guy

Author- Tedd Arnold

Illustrator- Tedd Arnold

Publisher- Cartwheel Books

Copyright Date- 2015

Number of Pages- 32

Awards- none

Reading Level- Age 4-8

Genre- Fiction, picture book, fable

Summary

A young boy named Buzz has a pet fly named Fly Guy, together they write a fairy tale.  As with most fairy tales it begins with “Once upon a time…”  Fly guy helps Buzz come up with the beginning of the tale, first he imagines that he is an ugly troll, then a pig herder, and finally he decided that he should be a handsome prince.  Together Buzz and Fly Guy work through the tale, it involves castles, kissing frogs, cold porridge, and a giant.  All the time Fly Guy imagines he is the main character in the fairy tale.  You will have to read the story to find out what happens to Fly Guy in this tale. 

Teaching Idea

This book would be useful to help students work on creating the parts of a story, the beginning, the middle and the end.  The book is set up in chapters and during chapter one Fly Guy and Buzz create the beginning of a fairy tale.  In chapter two they construct the middle of the story. In chapter three they conclude the story with the ending.  The book would act as an example and guide for students.  They would create their own fairy tale, just like Fly Guy and Buzz. 

Ratings

Element of Literature	Excellent	Average	Inadequate	Not Addressed	Rating
Plot	The plot is engaging; the reader is invested in the outcome.  Contains conflict, a climax and a resolution.    The reader buys into the story line; it is believable to the reader.	The plot is average it contains some of the essential elements such as conflict, climax and resolution.  One element is either missing or poorly developed.  The reader may or may not buy into the storyline, it is just not that believable.	Multiple essential elements, conflict, climax and/or resolution are missing or poorly developed.  It is not believable and overall a bad plot.		The plot is engaging while reading you want to find out what happens to Fly Guy.  There is conflict, a climax and resolution.   The reader will buy into the story and find it believable.
Characters	Characters are unique and believable.  The characters come to life when the reader is engaged in the story.  When the book is done, the reader still connects with the characters of the book.  Characters have personalities, flaws, and feelings. There is a protagonist, possibly an antagonist and some supporting characters.	Characters are similar to other books, have little to no uniqueness.  When the reader is done with the book, they are also done with the characters, there is no lasting connection.  Characters display little in terms of personality.  There are no supporting characters, or no clear protagonist.	Characters are dull and lifeless, there is no connection to the characters.  There is no clear protagonist and no supporting characters.  The characters are too farfetched.		The characters are unique fun and full of personality.  The reader will want to get the next Fly Guy book to see what he does in his next adventure.  There is a clear protagonist and antagonist.
Illustrations	The illustrations share in the story telling. The pictures help to develop the characters, establish the mood, and setting.  They contain some of the following elements, hidden details, facial expressions, different viewpoints, interesting asides, action depiction, or supporting details.  The pictures themselves may be created out of different mediums in order to support the plot.  Visual elements are used effectively (line, shape, color, texture and composition).	The illustrations support the story telling.  The pictures help with some but not all of the following, establish mood and setting, and developing characters.  They contain few if any of the following elements, hidden details, facial expressions, different viewpoints, interesting asides, action depiction, or supporting details.  The pictures are basic and do not use visual elements effectively.	The illustrations are in conflict with the story.  The pictures do not develop or establish anything in relation to the book.  There are no additional elements in the illustrations.  Visual elements detract from the plot.		The illustrations are necessary and a key element of this book.  Without the pictures the book would not be the same.  There are facial expressions, interesting asides, action depiction, and supporting details.  The pictures tell more of the story than the words do.
Word Choice	There are a more than two of the following elements used effectively, precise vocabulary, figurative language, dialogue, and music in language.	There are one or two of the following elements used effectively, precise vocabulary, figurative language, dialogue, and music in language.	There are none of the following elements or they are not used effectively, precise vocabulary, figurative language, dialogue, and music in language.		There is dialogue and figurative language.  During the story the characters are writing a book, part of the process is finding the precise language needed to tell their story.