Don’t Slam the Door! DVD. 10 min. with tchr’s. guide. Nutmeg Media. 2012. ISBN 1-933938-85-4. $49.95.
PreS-Gr 2–If the door slams it will wake the cat, who will tangle the yarn that is to be made into socks. Lumpy socks will cause dad to bump into a beehive. Who knows what will happen after that? In Dori Chaconas’s rhyming story (Candlewick, 2010), a young girl on an old-fashioned farm tries to prevent a cascade of uproarious cause-and-effect events. When, despite all her warnings, the slammed door sets off a silly chain reaction involving bears, bees, and feather pillows, she is able to assert her influence to help all involved regain equanimity. Will Hildenbrand’s lively mixed-media illustrations are scanned iconographically, with some creative transitions employed. Chaconas narrates in a pleasant, grandmotherly voice, but lacks some of the energy suggested by the artwork. The narration is accompanied by simple instrumental music. In a conversation with the author at the end of the program, Chaconas discusses how she got the idea for the story. A fun way to introduce cause-and-effect to primary graders.–Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT
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