Hank Finds Inspiration by Craig Frazier

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

Picture book for Prek-2nd graders, contemporary
Hank the Snake as the main character
Rating: This is a great book to use with any study on communities!

Short, short summary: Hank the Snake and his friend, Stanley, are not inspired, and Stanley decides to go to the city to find inspiration. The problem is Hank doesn’t know what inspiration is, and he doesn’t know where to find it. He looks in a flower shop, the park, the library, and finally at an art gallery. And just when he finds it, that warm feeling in his heart, his inspiration is taken from him! But surprise, Stanley finds inspiration in the same things as Hank.

So, what do I do with this book?

1. As mentioned above, this is a terrific book to use when studying communities. Hank goes to many different places in his community and talks with many different community members. When you are finished reading this book, you can make a list with your students or your children about other places Hank could look for inspiration in a community. You can ask your students how many of them have been to the same places that Hank has been to. You could make a bar graph of how many students have been to a flower shop, library, or art gallery. The colorful illustrations will catch your students’ attention and make the city come alive!

2. Practice prediction skills with Hank Finds Inspiration. Can students predict that Stanley buys the very same piece of art that Hank finds inspiring? Can they predict the different places that Hank might go for inspiration or where he will finally fiind it? Ask students to use clues in the text or with the pattern of the book to confirm their predictions.

3. Inspiration is a hard term to define for young children. Before reading this book, ask students, “What do you think inspiration means?” Write their answers on a piece of chart paper. Then read the book. Ask them the same question. Do they understand it any better? Talk to students about artists, writers, and composers finding inspiration before they create pieces. Tell them some of the things in your life that give you inspiration. Ask students to write either a sentence or paragraph, depending on their age and ability, about what inspires them.

If you have used this book with your students or your child, please leave a comment here, and let us know how it went. To find out more about books and some cool recipes to go with them, check out My Readable Feast.