The Crooked Shelf
Made for 4 to 7 years6 to 7 minutes aloud40 pages
Pop's tall tales are drawn plainly exaggerated, and June checks them. When her shelf comes out crooked she fixes it, and Pop owns up to his own first crooked shelf. The last pages are a make-it project.
Written by Sara Lundquist. Characters and art by Blake Lundquist. Back matter: 6 to 8 for the make-it project.
This story is still being finished. The read-along opens when it is ready.
Why ages 4 to 7 years
Pop's tall tales are drawn plainly exaggerated, and June checks them. When her shelf comes out crooked she fixes it, and Pop owns up to his own first crooked shelf. The last pages are a make-it project.
Read-aloud guide
Questions to ask, words to point at and repeat, and a follow-up activity. It arrives with the book.
Meanwhile: Waiting and patience, Making plans
Printables
8 free sheets for this story: cards, mazes, a certificate and more, in A4 and US Letter.
Printables for The Crooked Shelf
Free, no email, no account. For personal and classroom use, not for resale.
Bookmarks: The Crooked Shelf
Bookmarks · ages 4 to 7
Three bookmarks to cut out.
Bookplates: The Crooked Shelf
Bookplates · ages 4 to 7
Eight "This book belongs to" labels to cut out and stick in.
Certificate: I measured twice and made it level!
Certificate · ages 4 to 7
A certificate to fill in and hang up.
Colour the workshop
Colouring page · ages 4 to 7
A scenery page to colour, from the world of the story. Scenery only; the characters join when Blake's drawings are ready.
Feelings cards: The Crooked Shelf
Feelings cards · ages 4 to 7
Feeling words on colour cards. No faces, so a child decides what a feeling looks like.
Make it: a shelf that is level
Make-it project · ages 6 to 8
A small shelf on a practice board, hung the way June hung hers. With a grown-up for the whole project.
Story sequencing cards: The Crooked Shelf
Story sequencing cards · ages 4 to 7
Cut out the story moments, mix them up and put them back in order. Art frames wait for Blake's pictures.
Word cards: The Crooked Shelf
Word cards · ages 4 to 7
The words to point at and say again in The Crooked Shelf, each with the line it comes from.
Formats
Paperback, 8.5×8.5
A square paperback, 24 to 40 pages depending on the story. Printed on demand.
Best for: Everyday reading, ages 2 to 7.
Prices when the shop opens
Hardcover, 8.5×8.5
The same square book in a case-laminate hardcover.
Best for: Gifts and the books you read a hundred times.
Prices when the shop opens
Keepsake editions
Later and quote-only: box sets, lap-size boards, sewn hardcovers, a landscape storyteller's edition and a two-book bind-up.
Best for: Gifts and collectors.
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Set in
Workshop lane
A short lane with a workshop at the end of it, a stack of planks by the door and no job that cannot wait for the glue to dry. See it on the map