The
Monarch
Award:
Illinois'
K-3
Children's Choice Award
2008
Master List
Sponsored by
the
Illinois
School Library Media Association
2008 Nominee: Boxes for KatjeWith the end of World War II, Katje and her family must struggle to survive in their small Dutch town, but when a package from America arrives from a stranger across the ocean, Katje is overwhelmed and writes a letter of appreciation.
Author: Candace Fleming
Illustrator: Stacy Dressen-McQueen
Biography and photo (page down several times)
Book
Activities
- Discussion questions: What is the difference between
wants and needs? List some of each. What problems did the people in
Denmark have after the war? Why did Katje always say "There is plenty
to share."? What people today need our help?
- Language arts: Wrap several boxes and have children guess
what is each. What do you think the words Ja, Dank u, Ack, & Wonder Baar
mean.
- Writing: Look for a pen pal or epal project and write letters. Read the Tulip poem from Dear World. Have students write a poem about their favorite flower.
- Math: How many miles is it from Indiana to Holland? How
long do you think it took the boxes to get there? How much do you think
it cost to send the boxes?
- Science: Learn about tulips. Find out all the colors of
tulips. Force tulip bulbs.
- Social Studies: Locate Olst, Holland and Mayfield,
Indiana on a map or globe. What language do they speak in Holland? Draw
a map of your
neighborhood like the one of Mayfield in the book.
- Drama: Make a script Katje and her neighbors opening the
boxes. Act it out.
- Cooking/Food: List all the foods you can make with
chocolate. Taste chocolate.
- Art: Draw or make tulips.
- Music:
- Movement: Learn about the best way to lift a box.
- Technology: Make a Kidspiration picture of 10 things you
need to live.
Related Books
A new coat for Anna by Harriet Ziefert
Number the stars by Lois Lowry
A picture book of Anne Frank by David Adler
Silver packages by Cynthia Rylant
Websites
2008 Nominee Resources