WOW…have I got an awesome 100% relevant story for you today.

AND THAT’S A FACT!!!!

NANTUCKET SEA MONSTER: A Fake News Story

Written by Darcy Pattison

Illustrated by Peter Willis

Published by Mims House (2017)

Ages: 5-9

Themes: Fake news, journalism, freedom of press

Opening Lines:

Synopsis:

From Amazon: A JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTION
Do you believe everything you read in the newspaper?

Early in August 1937, a news flash came: a sea monster had been spotted lurking off the shore of Nantucket Island. Historically, the Massachusetts island had served as port for whaling ships. Eyewitnesses swore this wasn’t a whale, but some new, fearsome creature. As eyewitness account piled up, newspaper stories of the sea monster spread quickly. Across the nation, people shivered in fear.

Then, footprints were found on a Nantucket beach. 
Photographs were sent to prominent biologists for their opinion. Discussion swirled about raising a hunting party.

On August 18, news spread across the island: the sea monster had been captured. Islanders ran to the beach and couldn’t believe their eyes.

This nonfiction picture book is a perfect tool to discuss non-political fake news stories.
Back matter discusses the freedom of the press guaranteed by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Quotes from Thomas Jefferson make it clear that fake news has always been one of the costs of a free press. A Timeline lists actual events in the order they occurred. A vocabulary list defines relevant words.

Why I like this book:

• Fabulous gem of a story
• So relevant in the world today
• Great launch pad to discuss journalism, news, and whether we can believe everything we read
• Super illustrations

RELATED ACTIVITIES:

Make a family or class newspaper

Photo courtesy: http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org

What fun to put together a family newspaper. Each member of the family can write a story. or put together a column. Or teachers can make a class newspaper. For detailed instructions: http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/kidscraftsactivitiesblog/2010/04/make-a-family-newspaper-to-talk-about-family-news/

I hope you all get to read this new book…tomorrow, author Darcy Pattison will be stopping by for Will Write for Cookies to chat about what motivates her to write for kids.

Don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway of a copy of NANTUCKET SEA MONSTER.

There won’t be a Perfect Picture Book Friday post on Susanna Hill’s website, but there WILL be an announcement of the WINNERS of the Halloweensie Contest…there were more than 200 enries…that is awesome! I hope you’ll hop over and check it out.