Stinky Cecil in Operation Pond Rescue
PAIGE BRADDOCK
Age Range: 7 to 12
Lexile Measure: 510 (What’s this?)
Series: Stinky Cecil (Book 1)
Pages: 128
Type: Comics Collection
Publication Date: February 3, 2015
ISBN: 9781449457112
Sometimes big stories happen in small places. Sometimes big things happen to small creatures. This is one of those stories . . .
Cecil is a toad. A toad busy doing what any other toad does with its days—judging the pond splashing contest (Reggie the fly is usually the honorary winner by dint of his five-day lifespan), or visiting his friends, Jeff the free-range hamster, Rayray the lizard, Jeremy the worm, or Sprout the frog. And, of course, trying to keep clear of the local hawk.
But when Cecil discovers a freeway construction project aimed right at the pond, he knows he has to come up with a plan to save his home. But what can a small group of amphibians and a reincarnating fly do against construction vehicles and a steady onslaught of hot asphalt? Cecil isn’t sure, but he knows they have to try.
About The Author
Paige Braddock is the Creative Director at Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates. Braddock had the opportunity to train under Schulz, her childhood hero, prior to his retirement. She has illustrated several “Peanuts” children’s books, the Snoopy U.S. postage stamp issued in 2001, and the Newsweek cover featuring Snoopy following Schulz’s death in 2000.
Stinky Cecil in Operation Pond Rescue
Grade Levels: 3-5
Curriculum Connections: Science
Students will read Stinky Cecil in Operation Pond Rescue and discuss the food web and habitat of Cecil’s pond. Then, they will do research on the pond’s inhabitants and create posters to show what they have learned about the ecosystem.
Stinky Cecil in Terrarium Terror
Grade Levels: 3-5
Curriculum Connections: Science
Students will read Stinky Cecil in Terrarium Terror and cite text evidence of the structural adaptations of the character Nesbit the chameleon. Students will then use this evidence to make predictions about the chameleon’s natural environment. Finally, each student will research the structural adaptations of an animal of his or her choosing and create a visual product (advertisement, infographic, comic, video, etc.) based on his or her research.
About the American Toad
Exploring the swampy outdoors might be a little too messy for a regular school day. Luckily, Stinky Cecil brings the discoveries of nature into your classroom with this free downloadable amphibian fact sheet. Are your students curious about toads’ defense mechanisms? Interested in what they eat for breakfast? Maybe they just want to know the lifespan of the pet toad their moms would never let them have. Regardless of the question, this free fact sheet can help you answer it. Not only is it informative and educational, it’s also designed in an appealing comic style, so middle-graders will be drawn to it from the jump.
Stinky Cecil’s misadventures take him and his friends all over the pond. Whether they’re saving their homey marsh from freeway construction, having pond-splashing contests, or dealing with annoying class pet companions, one thing is for sure: Cecil and friends are guaranteed to make readers laugh. Although they make a silly group, they are also loyal, honest, and determined––admirable qualities to illustrate for elementary-age students. After reading the book and the fact sheet, encourage your kids to head outdoors and explore the world around them. Have them identify and observe different creatures, and then research to create fact sheets of their own. Pair this downloadable amphibian fact sheet with any of the Stinky Cecil books and watch your students’ interest and engagement hop to the surface.
About the Common Earthworm
Creepy, crawly, and crucial to the ecosystem, worms are the spineless stars of this free downloadable invertebrate fact sheet from the world of Stinky Cecil. After your middle-graders finish reading the zany adventures of Cecil and his friends, show them this fact sheet to deepen their understanding and appreciation of how every animal, no matter how big or small, plays an important role in the environment. With a humorous tone and a delightfully-illustrated style, these interesting tidbits are sure to draw students in. You can project it on the screen or print it out to pass around. Whatever you decide, the information is guaranteed to entertain and educate.
The quirky and lovable group of friends in Stinky Cecil always have the best time together. In each installment of the enchanting series, the pals fight to preserve nature, meet other creatures from the animal kingdom, and invent silly games to play (pond-splashing contest, anyone?). Middle-grade readers will enjoy following their mayhem-filled misadventures, and this downloadable invertebrate fact sheet allows you to take their enjoyment even further. Designed in the same comic style as the books, this fact sheet will inspire students to learn more about even the tiniest critters. Once their interest is ignited, encourage them to create fact sheets of their own based on their favorite animal. Anyone can become a nature expert––use this fact sheet to get started!
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