MaiStoryBook Library

MaiStoryBook Library: The Princess and the Pit Stop + *Race Car Roll* Craft

by MaiStoryBook

Introducing the most riveting, rambunctious, royal, racing read of the summer ~ featured in MaiStoryBook Library Collection:

“The Princess and the Pit Stop” by Tom Angleberger and Dan Santat

Book Synopsis and Review

*Start Your engines… On your mark…get set…GO!!* And thus begins the most royal-race you’ll ever witness, filled with fairytale characters galore! After 499/500 laps, Princess needs a Pit Stop ~ her status: Last place with ONE lap left to go… even Fairy Godmother thinks she should just ~give up~ But does she? That’s not what princesses do! Instead, Princess slams on the gas, determined to charge ahead, relying on her own guts and determination to get her across the finish line~ in *First place* of course.

There are several reasons this newly-released children’s book is already one of my top-favorites. First of all~ does the name Dan Santat  sound familiar to you?? Maybe because he is the author and illustrator of two very popular MaiStoryBook read alouds: *Beekle- The Unimaginary Friend*, and *After the Fall* about Humpty Dumpy. Dan Santat has won awards for his amazing illustrations and he doesn’t disappoint in this new thrilling read!  Another reason this is one of my new favorites~ It’s all about *Princess Power* ~giving us a story with an independent, tactful, and driven young female lead. I love seeing strong female characters take charge in stories- and in this racetrack read aloud~ this princess doesn’t need to rely on anyone- not even a fairy godmother, and especially not a prince- for with guts and determintation, she knows she can cross that finish line all by herself *and in first-place of course*  This story is also filled with references and allusions to some classic fairytale characters~after all, who else would a princess race against? Recognizing them all is half the storybook fun!  This is a definite home-library addition.

Vocabulary

  • Pit Stop (p. 1) rest spot during a race where you change your tire and fix your car
  • Butted (p. 7) shove out of the way
  • Leapt (p. 8) jumped over
  • Swerved (p. 22) turn quickly in a different direction
  • Ball (p. 29) royal dance

Themes/Main Ideas

  • Never give up! Even when things seems at their worst, give it your best shot~ you won’t regret it! Always remember to go *Full-Speed-Ahead to the Finish Line*
  • You can do anything you set your mind to! Have confidence and believe in yourself.

YouTube Video: Guided Shared-Reading Read Aloud Example

Example of a shared-reading, interactive Read Aloud of “The Princess and the Pit Stop” – how to subtly introduce the vocabulary list words within the text, ask guided questions, and spark conversation!

*~Check it Out~*

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*Race Car Roll* Craft

*Competition*~ it was never my strong suit- at least not in sports~ as much as I am competitive and always determined to *win* -especially at games- I dreaded competition on the courts and fields~ whether it be on the singles-tennis court, on the track for the 800m race, or on the green grass with my soccer team.  I loved the physicality of the sport itself~ enjoying the satisfying smackdown of a solid serve, the sweet burning of lungs and muscles after a full-speed run, and the agility and grace needed to dribble the ball. Yet, throw in the pressure to win-win-win, the expectation to win-win-win (not on my own terms) and competing became an unavoidable, unfortunate side effect of playing sports. However, reflecting back, maybe the competitiveness pushed me to try harder, play smarter, and be better. My own desire to not disappoint drove me to practice, practice, practice~ and eventually led to the discovery that *confidence* is key. So maybe~ a little bit of competition never hurt anyone~* In this week’s craft, to coordinate with our racing theme~ prepare to make your own race car craft~ perfect for some friendly racing competitions of your very own!

Materials

  • Toilet paper roll
  • 1 sheet of Construction paper- any color you want your race car to be (pre cut to wrap around your toilet paper roll)
  • Tape/hot glue
  • Markers
  • 4 cardboard circles (for the wheels)
  • Scissors

Directions

  • Wrap the construction paper around the toilet paper roll and tape/glue it in place so that the entire roll is covered.

  • Use your scissors to cut a flap on the top of your toilet paper roll. Cut 3 sides of a square, leaving one side attached for the *flap*. Use tape/glue to secure the construction paper to the lifted roll-flap.

  • Tape your four wheels to the sides of the car- two on each side
  • Use the markers to color the wheels and decorate your race car.

Explore your *Race Car Roll* Craft

  • Place a small figure or toy in the race car as the driver and *race* them around
  • Create multiple race cars and have a play-race with a family member or friend.
  • Use your race car as a reading buddy as you reread the story–> use the race car to act out how Princess drives, following her rainbow trail
  • Share your race car with a family member or friend to help you retell the story
  • Keep your race car in your room to remind you to never give up and always go *full-speed-ahead* to the finish line!

*~Overall, have fun creating and sharing  your  *Race Car Roll* Craft,  and I hope you and your little ones never-give-up on your goals and dreams!  – tag me on Instagram @MaiStoryBookLibrary, Twitter @MaiStoryBook  – or post on FaceBook to share your photos of your own *Race Car Roll* Crafts, and your own reading adventures! I’d love to hear from you!~*

*Check Back on Next Friday for our New Reading Adventure*

*~Until next time, Happy Reading~*