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Fortunately, the Milk



Last updated Sunday, January 8, 2017

Author: Neil Gaiman
Illustrator: Skottie Young
Date of Publication: 2013
ISBN: 0062224077
Grade Level: 4th    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jan. 2017

Synopsis: "I bought the milk," said my father. "I walked out of the corner shop, and heard a noise like this: t h u m m t h u m m. I looked up and saw a huge silver disc hovering in the air above Marshall Road." "Hullo," I said to myself. "That's not something you see every day. And then something odd happened." Find out just how odd things get in this hilarious New York Times bestselling story of time travel and breakfast cereal, expertly told by Newbery Medalist and bestselling author Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Skottie Young.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Do you like milk?
•  What do you like to eat with milk (cereal, cookies)?
•  Based on the picture on the cover what do you think the story is about?

Vocabulary

•  Fortunately - something good or lucky that has happened
•  Representative - someone who speaks for or in support of another person or group
•  Cutlass - a short, heavy sword with a curved blade
•  Obliged - very grateful
•  Temperamental - unpredictable in behavior
•  Prostrated - lying with the front of your body turned toward the ground
•  Clambered - to climb or crawl in an awkward way
•  Despondency - very sad and without hope

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  What do you eat for breakfast?
•  What is your favorite kind of cereal?
•  Who does the dad meet on his way home from buying milk that makes him late?
•  Have you ever run into someone you know on the way home from the store?

Craft ideas:
•  Make a hot air balloon. Cut out 5 balloon shapes from different colors. Fold each piece in half and glue the sides together to make it look 3D. Cut out a strip of paper, about 2 inches wide, and glue to make a cylinder shape for the basket. Kids can decorate if they'd like. Use string to attach the balloon to the basket with glue or tape. Also, add a piece of string to the top of the balloon so it can be held from there. See Pinterest for the example.
•  Check out our January craft ideas on Pinterest! https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/january-2017-mystery-adventure/

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!