Toys in Space

Product Information

In a large, clear space, ask children to copy the postures and expressions of these toys. How do we know they’re sleeping? What do people look like when they’re asleep? This book is very adorable with its concept of lost toys. It reminds me of Toy Story in a way since each toy clearly has a distinct voice and personality, portrayed with different fonts. Parents will find this story perfect for creating "voices" during story time. To calm their fears, Wonderdoll decides to occupy the time by telling a story. She spins a marvelous yarn about some toys who are beamed aboard a spaceship, leading the sheep to bleat, "Someone might get their stuffing probed!" But, not to worry . . . this alien, who looks like a glove wearing pajamas, is only looking for his own missing toy.

Toys In Space - Twinkl Toys In Space - Twinkl

Use ‘Touch and Tell’ as you move around the room to capture ideas and thoughts. Now ask children to wake up slowly, stretching and showing surprise at finding themselves in such a strange place. How do they feel, so far from home? Ask children to pretend they are presenting a TV news report about a recently-discovered planet, with one child narrating while the others mime. Move on to individual or group writing, and video children reading their ‘news reports’. The secret life of toysShare ideas inspired by this book and extend by reading other stories - there are lots of ideas at the bottom of this feature. Look at the patterns on the Hoctopize’s body. Can you create your own patterns on the ‘Hand Outlines’ template below? My favourite thing about this book is the way it's almost two stories running alongside each other; the toys in the garden listening to a story, and the story being told by WonderDoll. The way the toys keep interjecting as WonderDolls tells them the story is a great reflection of what it's often like to read stories with children, they want to know the answer to things straight away even though they'd find out if they just kept listening. From ever-inventive, award-winning author-illustrator Mini Grey comes a hilarious and heartfelt new a motley group of toys left outside in the garden become true friends and brave heroes--in space!

Toys In Space - Teaching Ideas

Make sure everyone understands the idea of a ‘story within a story’, and draw their attention to the way the toys help shape the tale as it happens. What do your class think about the ending? Was the Hoctopize real, after all? 1 | Writing opportunities My view, your view Now consider what the toys think of the Hoctopize, and how do they feel? Write this outside the outline, then discuss as a class. Can you design a gadget to weigh a toy? Use junk materials and/or construction kits. Something needs to move in response to a mass being added, but there are many ways of achieving this. What do you think his home planet looks like? What grows there? What’s the weather like? What kind of houses do Hoctopizes build?

Coverage:

In a large, clear space, ask children to pretend they are a sleeping toy. Explore different positions, just like the ones in the book. Play some ‘sleepy music’ and ask the ‘best sleepers’ to tour the room in silence, two at a time, allowing them to observe everyone else while your class is still and quiet. As the night progresses, everyone helps shape the story. But how will the explorers get home? And did they really meet an alien?