Wild Boars Cook (Written by Meg Rosoff; Illustrated by Sophie Blackall)

Reviewed by Margo Dill, www.margodill.com, margodll@aol.com

Picture book for preK-2nd grade
Four wild boars as main characters
Rating: Crazy, cute picture book!

Short, short summary: Four wild boars–Boris, Morris, Horace, and Doris–are always hungry. They eat and eat and eat, but they are still hungry. So, they decide to make Massive Pudding, following the directions in a cookbook. They don’t think the pudding comes out so well, and they add some of their own ingredients, including a squid. (All Massive Pudding needs a squid.) When they are finished with their creation, they eat it in 10 seconds! Of course, they are still hungry, so what do they do next?

So, what do I do with this book?

1. Young children will love this read aloud, especially when it comes to the repetitive parts such as, “Whisk, whisk, whisk!” and “Stir, stir, stir!” Children can chant along with the boars as they whip up their Massive Pudding. Read this book a few times, so children can get the rhythm.

2. The end of this book has a recipe for a Massive Cookie. You can make this cookie with your students. You can also practice reading this recipe and discuss the measurements. For older students, you can talk about how to double the recipe and make two Massive Cookies. Students love cooking with their teachers, especially when it is connected to a silly book like Wild Boars Cook.

3. Manners are mentioned in this book in a clever and disguised way. When the boars finish making their Massive Pudding, the author asks if the reader thinks the boars used napkins, shared, and said thank you. Talk about these questions the author asks when the Massive Pudding is finished. Ask students if they think the wild boars will use their manners BEFORE you read the next page to them. Discuss with students if they use these manners in the cafeteria and at home.

If you have used this book with your students or at home, please share with us your activities by leaving a comment here.

If you have a suggestion of a book for me to read or review, please leave a comment here or email margodll@aol.com.

photo by mape s at www.flickr.com