Who Stole the Cookies? - Books You Can Sing

Who Stole the Cookies? by Judith Moffatt (Grosett & Dunlap, Inc., 1996)

Yes, many of my books-you-can-sing are old and well-loved. That is the truth of the matter between books, children, parents, teachers - if you love them, sing them, read them - they will look like it. It reminds me of The Velveteen Rabbit.

Who Stole the Cookies? is a favorite of every young student I have had in class. They love to read and chant the book. This cut-paper illustrated version shows a young girl predicting, using clues, and enlisting animal friends to help solve the mystery of who snitched the cookies. This may be the only time is is OK to steal something!

After our read/sing/chant aloud, we always sit in a circle and play the game that goes hand-in-hand with the book. In the game, each child has a chance to be blamed. I think this may be the only time they want to be blamed for something. I always continue until all have had a turn. And then we make-up who we think stole the cookies.

Eating real cookies after the book and game is the perfect ending.


Game:

All: Who stole the cookies from the cookie jar?

Me (or student who was just it): Khloe stole the cookies from the cookie jar!

Khloe: Who me?

All: Yes, you!

Khloe: Couldn't be!

All: Then who?

Khloe: Hayden stole the cookie from the cookie jar!

And then Hayden has a turn. The entire game is echo and response. The more drama, the better. They love it!