Ray Friesen

As a new twist on traditional fairy tales and fables, this story follows many characters students will know, but in different tales. The book is a collection of many stories from Cinderella-tron to The Microscopic Mermaid, each with traditional story elements infused with new and different twists, turns, and silliness. The stories are funny, the illustrations are child-like and colorful and will help students see the entertainment value of literature.

This book could be used in 1st-3rd grade classrooms with connecting, because students can make links to other traditional texts telling basically the same stories. They may also connect these stories to themselves (personal experiences) and/or to what they already know about the fairy tale world. Using a connecting strategy can help students link texts, various versions of the same story, and build their personal knowledge about their own world. Students could choose one or two short stories in this book and find other texts that are the same story but different versions and then spend time working with a partner using a connecting strategy.… (meer)

Cupcakes of Doom!
By: Ray Friesen
Summary: This graphic novel is a conflict between Vikings and Pirates. The Viking Pie has taken over as the peoples’ favorite, leaving the Pirate Cookies behind. The pirates embark on a pursuit to find the ultimate pastry: The Long Lost Cupcakes of Doom!

Personal Reaction: I thought this was a silly fun book. My five year old son absolutely loved it!

Classroom Extension Ideas: I would serve delicious deserts to my students while reading this story. I would have the children write their own silly graphic novels.… (meer)