April is the month of fresh beginnings, budding flowers, and poetry. According to my handy-dandy organizer, April is National Poetry Month. I couldn't just sit and let National Poetry Month pass us by. We needed to celebrate (because, honestly, we look for any excuse to party around here). What could we do to add a little party school to our month? Ah, a book club about a fantastic poetry book would fit the bill. Let me introduce you to our Love That Dog Book Club.
Puppy chow, poet-trees and lots of poems inspired us in our Love That Dog book club. #bookclub #la4k #ihsnet
Love That Dog Book Club Discussion
This month our book club was on the book, Love That Dog by Sharon Creech. This book is a twist on a narrative book. It is written in poems that the main character is writing (mostly) to his teacher. It also includes some classic poems that the teacher is using in the classroom. We talked about many different types of poems and the transition of the main character's opinion of poetry throughout the book.
Love That Dog Book Club Activities
Love That "PoetTree"
I like to start our book club with a project. This month I found inspiration from a dear friend who blogs at Up Above the Rowan Tree. Nadine had a great idea for creating a PoetTree with leaves that were names of poems that the children had read that month. I modified that a bit. When the girls arrived, they were given a canvas and paints with the instructions to paint a tree with no leaves.
While those were drying, we talked about some of the classic poems included in the book Love That Dog. I had printed out several types of poems and created a quick book with some extra pages at the back. The girls decorated their book covers while we talked about the different poems and their meanings. At the end of the discussion, I gave them time to write their own poems in the back.
Earlier in the month, I had asked the girls to pick out some of their favorite poems to bring to the book club. As each girl read her poems aloud, the other girls wrote the name of the poem on a construction paper leaf and glued it to their trees.
The result was a work of art that the girls could take home.
Love That Dog Book Club Snacks
After all this creative writing and artistry, the girls had worked up an appetite. Food is at the heart of all party schools and therefore, an important part of book club.
Inspired by the book, we had dog themed treats. And, if dogs are the inspiration, then dog bowls are necessary for plating the canine delicacies.
We started with some Puppy Frisbees (individual pizzas) and added in some Dog Bones (cheese slices cut into bone shapes).
Available for the adventurous were Puppy Slop and Puppy Chews (hummus and pretzels). Of course, no dog party would be complete without Puppy Chow and Puppy Kibble (Chex mix recipe and Whoppers).
To wash all the kibble down, we had Poetry Pop (sodas with the poem Love That Dog printed on the outside).
If things got a little messy, you could always wipe your paws hands with specially designed napkins (artistry by the family artist).
We had a great time eating out of dog bowls and talking about poetry.
Love That Dog Online Book Club
Go on a poetry adventures with us based on the book, Love That Dog. During this online book club, we will go on rabbit trails of discovery about the poetry, history, language, and more. We will find ways to learn by experiencing parts of the book through art and baking.
We will add a little poetic magic dust and take a deep dive into poetry.
At the conclusion of the story, we will have a "party school" celebrating Jack and the love of his dog.
Take a Sneak Peek into our Love That Dog Online Book Club:
Book List
For this book club, we will be using the book by Sharon Creech.. You can purchase it in digital, paperback, hardcover, and audio formats. It is also available at many local libraries. This is the only book you will need for this book club.
Check out the FB Live Video about our book club below.
Hi, I’m Dachelle. I’m a homeschooling mom of 3 in the South. I love chocolate and have been known to hide it from my children. I can often be found reading a good book (or even sometimes just an okay book) and enjoying a jar of Nutella — don’t judge. I blog, here, at HideTheChocolate.com when I’m not creating book clubs and making lists…lots and lots of lists (it’s an addiction). Learn more…
The dog bowls with snacks are adorable. You really have such creative genius! I think my beach reads this summer will include some YA books written in verse. Can’t wait?
Thanks, Heather! Ah, beach reads…I have an entire beach bag full of books already.
Love all the creative snacks and the other fun activities you had available for them to do and participate in. So fun – your neighbor at #LMM
Thanks! The girls had a blast.
What a creative way to enjoy poetry and have crafts and snacks at the same time! Thanks for sharing with us at #LMMLinkup!
Thanks, Gayl!