Diverse Book Blog

Book Title: Spork

Author: Kyo Maclear

Illustrator: Isabelle Arsenault

Publisher: Kids Can Press

Copyright: 2010

# of pages: 35

Genre: Diverse

            Spork is a funny story about the spork kitchen utensil. This spork has a mum and dad, spoon and fork, like most of the kitchen utensils. Spork is half spoon and half fork. Many of the other utensils question who he is and what his purpose is. He does different things trying to find out what his purpose is and where he belongs. He feels out of place and throughout the story we see that spork finally finds his place at the table. The mysterious creature uses him and spork is happy he found his way to the table. Spork realizes he is perfect just the way he is. I love this book and recommend you read this great “multi-cutlery” book!

         Isabelle Arsenault does a wonderful job with her sketched illustrations. I love them! She has hand drawn each drawing and adds some color to them. No character, or utensils, face is the same. Each utensil is unique. She does a great job displaying the differences in each utensil. She adds cut outs from magazines in some of the illustrations against vibrant color. The pictures complement the book perfectly and while spork is being used by “something”, Isabelle creates a shadow to add mystery to who is using the spork.

         This book also comes in an original translation of French called Fourchon.

        

         Content Area and Grade: Social Studies - First Grade

ALSDE

SS.1.12- Compare common and unique characteristics in societal groups, including age, religious beliefs, ethnicity, persons with disabilities, and equality between genders.

SS.AAS.1.12- Identify the likenesses and differences of individuals and societal groups.

I would use this book as a tool to help show differences in individuals and to realize that it is okay to be unique because the world needs each of us to be ourselves, instead of trying to be someone else.