Module 1: Miss Brooks Story Nook

Summary

In Miss Brooks' Story Nook by Barbara Bottner, the story is about a girl named Missy who is very excited about a storytime called Story Nook with her teacher Miss Brooks. As she goes to school, she is usually harassed by a neighborhood bully who steals her hat, so she usually takes a long way to school to avoid the bully. This time, she is running late because it was raining and she has to take the route where she is harassed by the bully. Missy finally makes it to the story nook and as the story was about to begin, the lights went out because of the storm. Miss Brooks then asks all the children to tell a story and each of the children come up with a story about things that they liked. Missy then came up with a story that about something that could scare the bully and she came up with a snake that handled her problem with the bully. In the process, Missy learns from Miss Brooks about the elements that make a good story. This story gives Missy the courage to deal with the bully by telling him she has a snake but it really is just her scarf, and she ends up with a happy ending.

Reference

Bottner, B., & Emberley, M. (2014). Miss Brooks' Story Nook. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.

Impressions

This book does a good job of explaining what makes a good and entertaining story through Missy's attempt to tell a story. While she is trying to tell the story, Miss Brooks does a good job of giving Missy encouragement to continue to develop the story until Missy has a complete story. It is also nice that the book encourages those who are trying to develop a story that a story can be about anything and it really has to do with one's own personal tastes and experiences. Missy is dealing with a bully in her life so naturally she decides to make a story about a bully. I was a bit shocked to see that Missy came up with a story where a snake squeezes the bully so hard his eyeballs pop out. The illustrations make the action seem cute and funny, but when I think about it, it seems quite violent to wish that fate one someone. Other than this, the book is entertaining and enjoyable.

Professional Review

Phelan, C. (2014, July 1). Miss Brooks' Story Nook (Where Tales Are Told and Ogres Are Welcome). Booklist, 110(21), 87. Retrieved from https://libproxy.library.unt.edu:5154/login?url=http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2143/ps/i.do?p=LitRC&sw=w&u=txshracd2679&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA376932811&asid=d5838ba064d42b1ef861008b754fb45f

Library Uses

One library use for this would be for a storytelling workshop where kids can tell stories instead of listen to stories. This book would be a great tool to use to teach the different elements of a good story.