Leo Lionni's Swimmy, Frederick, and Inch by Inch
by Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia
Grades PK-2
Swimmy is a tiny insignificant fish in the vast ocean who uses ingenuity to fend off danger. Frederick, a mouse who is a poet from the “tip of his nose to the end of his tail,” makes everyday life an artful experience. The lovable inchworm from "Inch by Inch" is very proud of his ability to measure absolutely everything—including a robin’s tail, a flamingo’s neck, a toucan’s beak, a heron’s legs and a nightingale’s song. The three Caldicott Honor books Mermaid has chosen for its tribute, "Swimmy," "Inch By Inch," and "Frederick" are among Lionni’s most beloved works.
California Content Standards easily applied in your classroom:
- PK-2.AR.TH: Processing, Analyzing, and Responding to Sensory Information Through the Language and Skills Unique to Theatre.
- K.EN.RE.2.2: Use pictures and context to make predictions about story content.
- 1.EN.RE.3.2: Describe the roles of authors and illustrators and their contributions to print materials.
LESSON PLAN IDEA: Read Leo Lionni’s books aloud to the class. Students create their own simple illustrations while listening to the stories.
Visit the artist's website at www.mermaidtheatre.ns.ca.