Previously ~ Terrific Tuesday Picture Book & KID KANDY

Previously
Written by Allan Ahlberg
Illustrated by Bruce Ingman
(Candlewick Press, 2007)

Previously is one of those picture books that make you think. First, one has to figure out what the title means. Previously means just that. What happened previously?

Previously picks up where Goldilocks and the Three Bears ended. Goldilocks arrived home hot and sweaty. Because, previously she had been running in the woods. Because, previously she had climbed out of someone's window.

The previous events continue to go backwards in time. Previously also takes the main fairy tales and shows what happened previously, right before the fairy tale happened. Backwards, backwards, backwards in time and events, several stories are thought about in a different context. The why's of the stories make for very interesting reading! Though I was confused at first, I truly enjoyed the connections built between the different tales, all in the form of previously.

Previously would be a great book to read after a round of fairy tales. It is the perfect book to encourage readers to think deeper and more outside the box about characters, stories, and even real life events.

Previously, the cat was helping me read the paper, leaving a worm and mud as evidence. Previously, she had been outside where she spied something to attack. The worm, who previously had been happily eating dirt and assorted stuff, was thinking about his Aunt Fanny . . .

KID KANDY:

Think Backwards

Choose an event - birthday, holiday, vacation trip

Start discussing the event by going backwards in time. Discuss what previously occurred. Make fun connections with others at the same event and what they had been doing previously. Use the phrase, "Previously, (fill in the blank)."

Provide paper and crayons. Draw a picture of one of the previous happenings in your tale.


Previously, I was sipping tea.