Dramatization of books allows a child to engage the story at a whole new level. They become aware of the sequencing of the story. You find out what details they are picking up on in the book. They learn to empathize with the characters and act out different emotions. The text becomes more memorable, and the characters take on a new dimension to your Tot.

Read through Super Duck with your tot, and look for opportunities to dramatize it. You can make it very simple by acting out certain parts of the story, or you can close the book and put on a full-fledged play.

As you read, look for these opportunities to bring the book to life:

• Look around the room as Sheep and Frog look for Goat
• Put your hands on your hips and announce Super Duck's arrival
• Pretend with your own arms or use your tot's and hurl the kite
• Use a disappointed voice as the kite flops down to the ground
• Perk back up as Goat, the expert, and declare the solution
• Exclaim Super Duck's line even more excitedly, and note the shock on the other animals' faces
• Pump your arms or your tot's arms like you are trying to gain speed to run and hold the kite
• Raise your voice with excitement as the kite flits and skits, then lower with disappointment as you realize it's not going anywhere
• It's time for that bumpy car ride on your lap, lower your tot as the kite slumps
• Blow a gentle breeze as the wind picks up, and act like Sheep with the wind tickling your nose. (see if your tot wants to feel what it would feel like to have wind tickle his nose)
• Read with excitement and anxiousness as the kite take flight with Frog on the end.
• Hold on tightly to that kite as Frog does
• Pump your arms and race as you catch your breath to exclaim Super Duck's refrain
• Go on that bumpy car ride, but this time reach out as Super Duck climbs on the hood
• If you are daring, you can allow your tot to climb on your knees and stand up like he's reaching for the string
• Hold onto that pretend string and sway your arms right and left as you swoosh away and jerk to avoid the tree
• Count to 3 and let go of the string together, and make a fantastic splat sound as Super Duck falls into the muck
• Look around in confusion as Super Duck realizes Frog isn't with him
• Point out the worried looks on Sheep's and Goat's faces.
• Give a loud cheer as you point to the sky squinting to see Frog soaring down
• Make sound effects and Sheep and Goat run into the muck, squish, squash
• Hoist up your tot in celebration of the hero, Super Duck

Once you have acted out the story a few times as you read, ask your tot if he'd like to pretend to be Super Duck or any of the other characters. You can encourage making props and costumes, or you can just run through it without the extras. Have your child try to remember the sequence of events and some of the smaller details. Ask your child how he thinks each character feels as the story progresses. If you tot asks you to narrate, throw him a curve ball and add a new part to the story, see how he reacts.

If you do this several times, your tot may decide to take the director role, play along! If he has a few things out of order or adds details, don't correct him. Let his creative vision play out. If your Tot would like to refer to the book for proper details and sequencing, allow that as well. This is a wonderful opportunity to let your child have control!

Remember, puppets are always a good tool for dramatizing books as well. They can be simple drawings, crafted paper bags, or more elaborate sock puppets. This is another wonderful avenue for expressing creativity with the materials you have, just go with it!

I would love to see pictures or videos from your productions! Please share them on the Tot Book Club Facebook page!