Sunday, April 28, 2013

Wizards - Oh, My!


 Wizards - Oh, My!
There was a time when the genre of Fantasy had lost its appeal to readers of all ages.  With gratitude to J. K. Rowling and Harry Potter, that has changed.  Since the birth of Harry, there has been increased popularity of fantasy stories.  I am glad.  I believe that each of us has to believe in just a bit of Magic and Pixie Dust.  It helps make our daily life more interesting. 
 
Mercer Mayer's children's book, The Wizard Comes to Town, is a wonderful example of fantasy.  Mayer's art work is beautiful and very detailed.  This terrific story has all of the silly elements that children love.
~K~
 

We visit Disney on a yearly basis.  We pride ourselves on being a "Disney family".  Being fascinated with all things Disney cultivates an interest in magic and fantastical creatures.  Stories that involve these characteristics hold a special place in my heart.  They bring out the child in us and make us believe that with a little magic, our world can be a better place.  This genre of literature is one that can be enjoyed by all age groups and all members of the family, which is why it is so popular.  With the release of Oz and the popularity of novels like The Hunger Games, magic has once again taken hold of our imaginations.

The Wizard Comes to Town is a wonderful example of how a little fun with magic can liven up the day.  Although the book is out of print, it can be found at the library.  Children will love reading about all the spells Mrs. Beggs conjures up, as well as the humorous complications that unfold when a new guest arrives to stay at her boarding house.

~N~


Here are some Wizardry ideas!
 



The titles link to the websites.




Family Theme Day has a wonderful collection of activities to use for a Wizard Family Theme Day!












Magic potion  
Magic Potion

 Part science experiment, part magic trick, this is a recipe for a kid friendly magic potion.








A dragon comes to visit and causes new problems for Mrs. Beggs.  This would be a great enrichment activity after reading the story.

















 The Amazing Worlds 
of Fantasy
Zunal.com has a wonderful webquest to teach students about the genre of fantasy. 








 
  "All our dreams can come true, 
if we have the courage 
to pursue them."
Walt Disney 



Linking to:
Poppins Book Nook 
monthly book club

2 comments:

  1. We haven't read 'Wizard comes to town' thanks for the suggestion!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I hope you enjoy the book. It is truly delightful!

    ReplyDelete