Stacey May Fowles' debut picture book is a whimsical, warmhearted
story of how a super-special surprise can lead to anxiety -- or invite
imagination.
One beautiful fall day, Fern opens her mailbox and finds an envelope.
After much worrying about what it could possibly contain, her friend
Fawn encourages her to open it. Inside, she finds an invitation to a
super-special surprise at the museum -- but Fern doesn't like surprises!
Luckily, Fawn offers to come with her to the party. What could possibly
happen, he asks. Along the way, Fern voices her worries: What if they
can't make it in time? What if they don't know anyone there?
Fawn playfully follows his friend's way of thinking, while gently
suggesting twists to her story and a fun new cast of characters -- the
chipmunk who could show them a shortcut, the grumpy bear who could clear
their path, the brave dentist who might treat the bear's toothache --
until at last they arrive, and Fern is able to enjoy the wonderful
surprise happening around her.
Marie Lafrance's delightfully dreamy illustrations bring the imagined
world of Fern and Fawn to life in this super-special story about
catastrophic thinking.
Key Text Features
illustrations
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language
Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3
Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key
details.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4
Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or
appeal to the senses.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7
Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters,
setting, or events.
