2009 Nominee: Skippyjon Jones

Skippyjon Jones, a little kitten with a big imagination, is sent to his room to contemplate what it means to be a cat, but instead embarks on an imaginary adventure in which his Zorro-like alter ego, El Skippito rescues a group of Chihuahuas from a bean-eating bumblebee.

Author/Illustrator: Judy Schachner

Book Activities

• Discussion questions:  Have you ever pretended to be a hero? Why would someone pretend to be something else? 
  
• Language arts: Learn Spanish words for colors, numbers, animals,etc.Listen to the story of Zorro.
  
• Writing: Write a story about what hero you would be and what you would do.
  
• Math: Make math problems with the contents of a pinata.
• Science: Research Siamese cats or Chihuahuas.
  
• Social Studies: Find Mexico on the map. Research Mexican culture.
• Drama: Act out one of the stories from the book or make up a new Skippyjon Jones adventure.
• Cooking/Food: What foods would you have at a fiesta? Sample some Mexican foods
  
• Art: Make your own hero mask or pinata.
  
• Music: Enjoy fiesta music, Spanish songs. Play the Siamese cat song on the website below, learn the song.
  
• Movement: Make your own cat movements.  Dance to Spanish music.
  

Related Books

• Other books by Judy Schachner: 
  Skippyjon Jones in the Dog House, Skippyjon Jones in Mummy Trouble, Skippyjon in the Big Bones, The Grannyman, How the Cat Swallowed Thunder
• Manana Iguana & Fiesta Fiasco by Ann Whitford Paul
• Hot-air Henry and others by Mary Calhoun
• Bow Wow Meow Meow: It's Raining Cats and Dogs by Douglas Florian

Websites

Monarch Home

2009 Nominee Resources