Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynold is a treat! It is the perfect mix of spooky and silly. The protagonist, a carrot-loving rabbit, is convinced that he is being haunted by the carrots from the field where he takes them, and quickly devises a plan to put an end to it. Only there is an unsuspecting twist - whose plan is it really? This text is a great read this time of year while also offering an opportunity to examine figurative language and perspective.
Themes: Just-right spooky stories; problem-solving
Here are a few ways to maximize the use of this text as a read aloud to support a variety of literacy-based skills.
BEFORE READING
Look at the cover. Discuss your observations. What does the cover tell you about what this story might be about? What do you see, think, and wonder?
In this book, you will meet Jasper Rabbit who has a passion for carrots. What is a passion? What is one of your passions?
What do you know about where and how carrots grow?
What are some synonyms for CREEPY? What things do you think are creepy?
DURING READING
What observations can you make about the artwork in the book? For example, what do you notice about the coloring? What is in color, and what is in black and white? Why do you think the illustrator made the art this way? What was he trying to do?
Why does Jasper like to take carrots from Crankenhopper Field, and what makes him suddenly decide to stop taking them?
What are the synonyms for the verbs used to described Jasper taking the carrots from the field? (pulled, yanked, ripped…) Can you think of other related synonyms?
Notice the abundance of figurative language to elevate the story-telling. Some examples include:
tunktunktunk
Creepy carrots creeping
He thumped into his bedroom and threw on the light.
Jasper hatched a plan.
Do you think Jasper is really seeing the carrots, or is it his imagination? Why does he think no one believed him? Explain.
What plan does Jasper make to solve his problem? List the steps he takes.
Describe the final structure around the field.
What are perspectives? At the end, two different perspectives are revealed. From the carrots’ persepctive, the fence was their plan and their victory. But from Jasper’s perspective, the was his plan and his victory. Whose plan do you really think it was, and who does the victory belong to? The carrots, Jasper, or both?
AFTER READING
Write about something you can’t get enough of. Illustrate your writing.
Describe a time you thought your imagination might be playing tricks on you.
Map the story using one of these story maps.
