We’ve read The Very Glum Life of Tootoolu Toop before and I can’t wait to read it again!
I know it’s longer than the books I usually choose, plus every batch of children is different, with mixed reading levels. Once more, I find myself asking, will it be too ambitious to read it in three classes with a bunch of children?
The answer is still the same – possibly.
Yet, there are so many things that draw me to the story that I am willing to take the chance again! It worked once; I know that for sure. Also, considering the number of children I meet who love fantasy, I think this will be a wonderful way to end the reading programme.
Magic
Stories about magic are fun to read and fun to write. What makes a magical world come alive? What magical words can we create?
Even when I reviewed Tootoolu Toop, I mentioned how I love the influence of Indian languages on the magical words in the book. Moving away from Latin and Greek to magical words of our own is going to be fun!
Creating a Witch
When we say the word ‘witch’, what do we think of? Let’s see if we can create an unusual witch–not the conventional black-cloaked creature, but not one like Hermione Granger either! We’ll try to be original and create something new!
Notes and Letters
One of the most delightful things about The Very Glum Life of Tootoolu Toop is all the notes she writes everywhere. The book opens with a letter and then, right through the book, we discover notes of all kinds. Writing notes is quick and easy, and it’s a lovely way to begin the process of writing. As the children read, I’d love for them to write notes to themselves and put them into the books. The notes could be as simple as ‘I love this’ and ‘This is funny’.
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