ROBERT MUNSCH likes to use kids he meets on his storytelling adventures across Canada and the U.S. in his books.
Ribbon Rescue was inspired by Jillian, a Mohawk girl from the Kahnawake reserve outside of Montreal, who went to hear a storytelling wearing a traditional ribbon dress.
We Share Everything! is about Amanda and Jeremiah, whom he met in Pontiac, Michigan.
Robert and his wife live in Guelph with their three children - each of whom has appeared in various Munsch stories - and their dog, Cinder. Bob spends most of his time writing, and likes to devote his spare time to making school visits and telling stories. His books for Scholastic include Alligator Baby, Andrew's Loose Tooth, Get Out of Bed!, Ribbon Rescue, Mmm, Cookies!, Makeup Mess, Up, Up, Down, Aaron's Hair and Playhouse.
PreSchool-Grade 2. Kristen's baby brother is born at a zoo instead of a hospital. Her overwrought parents repeatedly bring home the wrong infant?first an alligator, then a seal, then a monkey. Finally, brave Kristen takes off on her bike and locates the misplaced "people baby." Thanks to the brave, smart big sister, the babies get sorted out, "And everything was okay...until Kristen's mother had twins." Storytime audiences will cackle as Kristen examines each baby, pointing out the animal parts (claws, flippers, tails, etc.) that convince her none of these creatures is her new brother. The silliness escalates in the ebullient watercolor illustrations. Kristen's mother tosses hair curlers out the car window on the first trip to the zoo, leaving her hair to twist wildly for the rest of the story. The animal youngsters have a grand time visiting the humans' house. The seal balances shampoo on its nose while it plays in the bathtub; the monkey swings from the chandelier. Refreshingly different from most "new baby" stories.?Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA
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