Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present



Author: Charlotte Zolotow

Illustrator: Maurice Sendak

Genre: Language Arts

Grade Level: First Grade

Award: Caldecott Honor Award

Pre-Reading Strategies: 
In what ways do you choose a present for a member of your family?

What is the importance of giving gifts to members of your family whom you love?

Do you think it is a good idea to ask someone who may know the family member better than you for help? If so, why do you think this?

Have the children discuss what presents they got for their parents. Have them discuss where and how they got that present, and who helped them. Discuss the importance of giving and receiving shifts and which one most people get pleasure out of doing more of. Talk about what type of present the little girl gives to her Mother in the story and why they think the Mother will receive that present.


Post-Reading Strategies: After the reading, students will then go over comprehension questions after the book was read to them. These comprehension questions are designed to make the young students develop analytical reading skills, as well as help them make future predictions in other stories. The questions will be designed to make the children think and make predictions. For example, if “Mr. Rabbit did not help the little girl find a present, what do you think would have happened?” These type of questions are very important in helping the reader find cause and effect relationships. This assignment will be very important in the development of more difficult reading tasks.

Assessment:

What was your favorite part of the short story? What did the little girl get her Mother for a present? Why was this present considered special? Why do you think Mr. Rabbit decided to help the little girl get a present for her Mother?

Reflection: I enjoyed this story. I think it is a great story to read before the holidays. The young children will learn the meaning of giving presents and that it is just as important as receiving them.

Zolotow, Charlotte. (1962). Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present. New York: Harper Collins Publishers. Grades K-2.