Ready to learn more about the books? Let’s go behind the scenes with Renee to share some hidden “Easter Eggs” that will excite children with fun details! The question stems can help children with critical thinking, inferencing, and various other skills.
*SPECIAL NOTE: Feel free to use these as guide before Renee’s author visits to invite children to think beyond the book.
The Gingerbread Twins is packed with “Easter Eggs”. These are great to use as thinking and talking points to encourage robust discussions. *Click the link below to download the FREE Gingerbread Craftivity Pack with templates for headbands, necklaces, and popsicle puppets.
- Why do you think the two letters in the title are in a cookie style font?
- Why is there a stack of Fox’s books on the prologue page? Do the book titles give you any clues?
- When do you think Fox won all of his awards? What types of things did he bake?
- There are some pages that have the Cookie Experiment chalkboards. Pay close attention to the trial number and the alphabet letter. Is there any relationship or pattern that you can figure out?
- On one page you see that Fox in his bed at home. What time is displayed on the clock? What do you think his dream was about?
- Fox can be seen decorating the cookies on the baking sheet. Pay attention to Gavin’s right arm for the rest of the book. What happens on the following page that would’ve prevented Fox from frosting Gavin’s right arm?
- As the cookies jump off the baking sheet, you see more of Fox’s bakery. Take a peek at the outlet on the wall. Does that give you any clues about where the story might take place? There are other clues on the pages with Squirrel’s Bakery.
- Fox is talking to a few people as the gingerbread twins are tip-toeing by him. Do you see any other clues that could help you figure out the setting from anything on this page?
- On the same page as in #8 above, do you see some familiar characters from other gingerbread stories/versions? Who are they? Also, see if you can make a connection with the dedication page and some of the other characters/people drawn on this page.
- What are those white faded, squiggly lines behind the gingerbread twins? How are those important to the story?
- Near the end, we see the Frosting Salon. How could this help Gavin and Greyson?
- This book ended with a slight cliffhanger. What would you predict will happen in their next adventure?
- BONUS: Did you find Renee’s cat hiding on one of the pages?!?!
There are more “Easter Eggs” in No Wet Feet for Quincy. Did you know that this book also serves as a counting book? Pay attention to the hidden creatures on each page. *Click the link below to download the FREE Counting Fun Recording Sheet to get started.
- What do you know about geese and swans in real life? What is their personality usually like?
- Most ducks like water. What could be a reason that Quincy isn’t like most ducks?
- What is a quirky trait? Do you have a quirky trait? If so, how does it make you unique?
- Quincy is very observant of his surroundings. How does that help him?
- Why does Quincy only hear “quack, quack, quack”? What was making the onomatopoeia sound on each page?
- Can you think of other onomatopoeias? How about ones you hear every day?
- Why was Quincy able to stick his head in the water and get it wet?
- How does taking a deep breath help Quincy each day?
- You see Quincy observing some kids fly fishing. Do you know the name for the item of clothing that they’re wearing?
- Why do you see Quincy’s friend’s duck tails but not his when they jump on the count of three?
- The swans and geese can be seen flying overhead near the end of the book. What do you predict will happen next?
- Quincy’s friends had some good advice for him. What would you have told Quincy if you were giving him advice?
- BONUS: Did you find Renee’s cat hiding on one of the pages?!?!
Looking for more “Easter Eggs”? Get ready to learn about more fun stuff that is found in Get Out Your Paper.
- Why do you think there are bite marks on Garrett’s pencil? What does that tell you about his feelings about writing?
- The teacher is seen wearing a red and white polka dot dress. My mom is a retired teacher and would always wear a red and white polka dot shirt on the first day of school so her Kindergarten students could find her. The teacher’s likeliness resembles my mom as well.
- A brass bell is seen on the teacher’s desk. My mom gifted me her bell when she retired.
- There is a page at the beginning with a bookshelf. Is there anything on this bookshelf that you recognize from my other books?
- Garrett’s sister is named Quinn. Can you think of another book title of mine that has a similar character name? This is a subtle nod to that book.
- There is a scene with a creek. Do you recognize any animals from another book of mine?
- On the page with the clocks, what do you think the scribbles mean? What do you notice about the time on the clocks? Do you have clues from the other pages (hint: class schedule) that help you know what is going on?
- When we see Garrett with his head on his desk and the paper crumpled in his hand, what do you think is happening? How is Garrett feeling at this point?
- Why does Garrett start scribbling words down?
- The Writer’s Wall of Fame is an important part of Garrett’s classroom. Why do you think he’s surprised that he earned a four?
- When Garrett says he walked away with a “grin and smirk”, what does that tell you about his personality?
- What do you think about the ending? How do you think Garrett is feeling about writing at this point?
- BONUS: Did you find Renee’s cat hiding on one of the pages?!?!
Easter Eggs from the illustrator of Get Out Your Paper, Rochelle Steder:
- On the page with Quinn, my daughter Emma has a green fork like the one that is flying through the air.
- On the page with Garrett’s bedroom, I played a lot of sports as a kid so I included the baseball, basketball, and trophy as a nod to my many years in sports. Also, my son Arthur loves fire trucks so I included one on this page.
- The page that has a creek is based on a creek that I grew up next to. I would play there with my sister and friends. We always came home itchy from the mosquitos and stinging nettle.
- When we see Keith, he is based on Arthur. The seal stuffie is his favorite toy named Icy. The dinosaur and monster truck are inspired by his toys as well. You’ll also see an E and A on the blocks to represent my kid’s names.
- Look at the Writer’s Wall of Fame page and you will see a cat in a picture frame. That is my late beloved cat, Tsunami.
- When you see the hallway and lockers at the end, look closely at the boy with the lunch bag. It has Arthur’s name on it and the boy reaching for it is an older version of my son.