The Monarch Award:
Illinois' K-3 Children's Choice Award

2009 Master List

Sponsored by the
Illinois School Library Media Association


2009 Nominee
:
Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid

The shortest kid in second grade, James Moody, also known as Stink, learns about the shortest president of the United States, James Madison, when they celebrate Presidents' day at school

Author: Megan McDonald

Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds

Book Activities

  • Questions: Can you shrink? Who is your favorite President?
  • Language arts: Brainstorm times when it would be an advantage to be short.
  • Writing: Keep a diary or journal like Stink.
  • Math: Measure height of class members Graph results. Convert to inches, centimeters, feet, yards, etc.
  • Science: Study all the factors that contribute to height, i.e. nutrition, heredity, rest, exercise. Research newts and other salamanders.
  • Social Studies: Find other interesting facts about presidents.
  • Drama: Make a play for President's Day.
  • Cooking/Food: Study or snack on healthy foods to promote growth.
  • Art: Draw comics of other presidents after research.
  • Music: Play Hail to the Chief.
  • Movement: Do stretching exercises.

Related Books

  • Other Stink books by Megan MacDonald (four)
  • Judy Moody books by Megan MacDonald
  • Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell
  • Cork and Fuzz: Short and Tall by Dori Chaconas
  • Shrinking Mouse by Pat Hutchins
    Salt in his shoes by Roslyn Jordan
  • Hewitt Anderson's Great Big Life by Jerdine Nolan

Websites

Monarch Home

2009 Nominee Resources