Introducing the *cutest book in the world* featured in this week’s MaiStoryBook Library Collection:

“Rot: The Cutest in the World” by Ben Clanton

Get Your Own Copy Here*

Book Synopsis and Review

*Mutant Potatoes + Rot = …Cute????* Don’t let your eyes deceive you, *cuteness* is all relative in this adorable reading adventure! Meet Rot, a mutant potato who loves mud, checkers, eating, and *contests!* So when he sees the *cutest in the world contest* of course he has to enter! But can a mutant potato compete against a cuddly kitten, a teenie-weenie jellyfish, and an adorable baby bunny??? Join Rot as he discovers the secret to becoming the best *cutest* possible version of yourself you can be!

One popular, and very important, theme that is often portrayed in children’s books is to be proud of who you are. We all come in different, sizes, shapes, and colors, and we all have different personalities and traits that make us unique. This book “Rot,” shows us, in the *cutest* way possible, that we are most beautiful when we believe in ourselves. The fun alliterations and dialogue, colorful cast of characters, and humorous illustrations make this book an instant hit with the little ones ~ there will be guaranteed laughter and giggles!  So get ready for the cutest book in the world!

Vocabulary List

• Mutant (p. 1) like a monster
• Contestants (p. 7) someone who enters a contest
• Bewitching (p. 9) making someone happy
• Indigestion (p. 13) when your stomach hurts because you ate too much food and your tummy can’t break it down
• Unibrow (p. 36) when your eyebrows meet in the middle so that it looks like you only have one long eyebrow *instead of 2 separate ones

Themes/Main ideas

• You are Unique: We are all different and that is what makes us special.
• Believe in Yourself: Don’t let what other people think about you bother you. Believe in yourself and you will always have the courage to do what you need to do.

YouTube Video: Guided Shared-Reading Read Aloud Example

Example of a shared-reading, interactive Read Aloud of “Rot: The Cutest in the World” – how to subtly introduce the vocabulary list words within the text, ask guided questions, and spark conversation!

*~Check it Out~*

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Cutest in the World Potato Craft

Ever played with Mr. Potato head as a kid?? Wasn’t he just the *cutest*? Well, Rot certainly is! With his earnest behavior and oblivious willingness to charm, he exudes cuteness. No wonder he won the *Cutest in the world* contest! As a child, I was definitely competitive. Ever played the board game *Sorry?* It isn’t called “the game of sweet revenge” for nothing! Monopoly was always a race to make the most money as fast as possible, and I was determined to find a strategy to win *Go Fish.* While I most likely would have stayed away from a *cuteness* contest~ not my kind of thing~ I can relate with Rot’s love for the thrill of the game! And once you begin, of course you want to try and be the best that you can. But as Rot learned, being the best self you can be, with no frills or concoctions, is sometimes all it takes to win *at the game of life.* So, if you’d like a reminder about how you are perfect *just the way you are*~ check out the craft inspired by the story where you will get to show off and share what makes you unique!

Materials 

• Downloadable Potato Craft Template
• Pen/Pencil
• Scissors
• Glue/Tape
• Colors: Crayons, markers, etc.

Directions

• Choose a ”Potato” template. There are colored and black and white versions with 2 different headings: “_____ the cutest in the world.” or “ _____ the ____ in the world” where you can pick your own superlative to put in the second blank. Your name goes in the first blank.
• If you chose the black and white version, color it in and don’t forget to put your name.
• Cut the potato in half on the dotted line so that you have two pieces. The “Inside Template” will go in between the two pieces and attach them together.
• Next, choose an “Inside Template”. There are color versions or black-and-white versions. 2 versions have writing prompts that match prompts from the story. One has blanks for pictures, the other has lines for written responses. 
• The 3 other versions are prompt-free so you can write or draw what you want or assign them something to specific to write or draw. Templates include all lines, all blank, lines, and blank for picture space.
• Fill in and cut out the Inside Template. **Keep the top and bottom tabs on! Do not cut them off*
• To connect the Potato and Inside Template, Tape or glue the tabs to the back of the bottom-part of the top Potato, half and the back of the top-part of the bottom Potato half. 
• Next, fold the bottom Potato half up and the Top Potato half down until the meet in the middle, and crease down the folds. .
• The Potato should fold in on itself as you close the Potato to make it whole, and then when you open the Potato, your Inside Template writing and drawing is revealed.

Enjoy Your Cutest in the World Potato Craft!

• Share your Potato Craft with family and friends to share more about you and what makes you special.
• Ask your family and friends to share what makes them special and unique.
• Share your Potato Craft  with family and friends and use it as a prop to help retell the story
• Display your Potato Crafts to remind the class/each other that you are all unique and perfect just the way you are!
• Keep your Potato Pal to remind you to believe in yourself and be proud of who you are!

*~Overall, have fun creating your own *Cutest in the World Potato Craft*, and I hope you and your little ones enjoy this *cutest craft in the world*! Please comment below  – tag me on Instagram @MaiStoryBookLibrary  – or post on FaceBook to share your photos of your own *crafts*  and your own reading adventures! I’d love to hear from you!~*

*~Until next time, Happy Reading~*

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