BUILDING A BEAK by Becca McMurdie

BUILDING A BEAK by Becca McMurdie

Becca and I are agent sisters, and when she reached out to all the Sweeney Siblings to see who might want an ARC to do a review, I was happy to read and review. (Hello, I need to be reading a plethora of PBs anyway, so I might as well review them and help out the author as well! You can do this, too!) But . . . when I read Grecia's story and how singing was a through line, I thought this would be an unusual, but perfect PBJamz book, so I invited her for a chat.  Join us as we talk about Grecia, her lovely book, the power of song, engineering and the journey of picture books.  ​

BUILDING A BEAK by Becca McMurdie

Becca McMurdie invites us to join her in Costa Rica in this lovely book about the cruelty -- and the kindness of humans.  It's a wonderful reminder that, while bad exists in the world, there is more than enough good to counteract it.  It's also a testament to the power of song to express all the emotions and all the things that happen to us.  And it does all that, plus help us learn about toucans and prosthetics -- wrapped up in a STEAM package full of engineering concepts and ideas.  This one is sweet, smart, and sciency in all the best ways! ​

A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind)

This song is super cute and lots of fun. I chose this one for the word play, and also for the inclusion of musical instruments. If you're not loving this one, check out the full playlist below in the links section for lots more choices, along with art tutorials, STEAM activities, info about toucans and more!

Teacher Tips, Tricks and Topics

Topics and activities: (*Be sure to check the links section for even more activities and ideas for teaching using this book!)
Social Studies: Costa Rica

• Geography
• wildlife
• culture
• music
• history
• Timelines

Science:

• Engineering
• 3D printing
• Beak purposes/adaptations/experiments
• Bird characteristics/body parts
• Ecosystem
• Importance of toucan's beak
• Different types of toucans
• Life cycle of toucans
• Toucans 
• Measurement/scientific drawing

Art

• So many toucan art projects!
• rainforest activities
• color exploration

Reading

• Strong verbs (Verb scavenger hunt, discussion of how the choice of verbs affect the story. "What other verb could the author have used?  How would that change the story?" etc.)
• Sequencing (life cycle, events in story, which came first,  timeline in back matter, etc,)
• Different meanings of the word "sang"/different connotations in the book

Math

• Measurement (beak drawings/pictures, creating/drawing beaks to certain measurements, etc.)
• Timeline/numberline connection
• Story problems using characters/info from the story for whatever content is appropriate for your students.

Tips and Topics for Music Teachers
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Musical connections:

• Rainforest songs
• Rainforest sounds
• Toucan sounds/variations of their "songs"
• Songs about toucans
• Rainforest rhythms
• Using and/or creating rainsticks
• Create rhythmic patterns/compose rhythms using the words "toucan" "beak" "avocado" "rainforest" etc.
• Discuss different meanings/examples of sing/sang. How we can use the word differently.  Grecia sang. The people sang for Grecia, etc.

Writing Prompts from Tonnye
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1. Write an acrostic poem using Grecia or Toucan or Rainforest
2. If Grecia could sing a song with words at the end of the book, what would she sing?  Write her song.
3. Write a sensory poem about the rainforest.
4. Write a letter from Grecia to the people who harmed her; then a letter to the people who helped her.
5. Write a diamante with Grecia and toucan,  broken and healed, or weak and strong, etc.
6. Write a news report about Grecia's injury and/or a news report about her new prosthetic beak.
7. Why do you think the author used singing in different ways throughout the book? OR Write about different ways you sing in your own life.
8. Read this book and one story from BIONIC BEASTS by Jolene Gutierrez. Create a Venn diagram comparing the two stories and use it to write a story comparing/contrasting the two stories.
9. Write an apology letter from the people who harmed Grecia to her.
10. Write a report about toucans. Make sure you talk about their beaks.
11. Why are toucans' beaks important to their survivial.
12. Do you agree or disagree with the legislation making it illegal to harm wildlife?  Why?
13. If you were to witness someone harming a living creature, what would you do?  OR If you HAVE experienced people hurting wildlife, what DID you do?
14. Write about how humans impact our world positively and negatively.
15. How do you think Grecia feels about humans?  Why?
16. Do you agree/disagree with the team that chose NOT to release Grecia back into the rainforest?  Why?
17. Write a report about Costa Rica.
18. Write a story set in Costa Rica.
19. Write a fictional story about a friendship between a toucan and another animal who lives in the rainforest.
20. Write a list of twenty facts about toucans.

​Writing Tips from Becca
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1. Whenever a critique partner emails and asks you if you can look over a few MSs or a revision on short notice, because they just got a full request from an agent or an R&R from a publisher, always say yes! Even if you’re busy. Even if you have pressing deadlines for your day job, or your personal life is crazy. Just do it. Because trust me, karma is real, and when you get those same requests, you’ll need those favors in return! 

2. Let every rejection be an invite to keep writing. Keep going. You’re probably closer than you think. 

Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone!
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Here's a YouTube playlist full of fun songs, art activities, STEAM activities, and loads of info about toucans.


​Here's a PInterest board full of arts and crafts, info about Costa Rica, toucan facts, STEAM activities, and so much more!

Classroom guide from Page Street

PBJamz Snack

In keeping with the engineering STEM/STEAM core theme of BUILDING A BEAK, allow me to offer an individually-engineered (build-your-own) PBJ bar!  Your little engineers will enjoy mapping out their favorite PBJ combo. Simply provide a variety of vehicles (bread, crackers, tortillas, etc), a jar of peanut butter (or a selection -- think creamy vs. crunchy, additional nut/seed butters, etc.), a variety of jams, jellies and/or fruits to add-in, and some additional toppings/add-ons and let each person build their own PBJ masterpiece and then gobble them up with their own trusty "beaks" ;-). This one is sure to please anyone (as long as they're not allergic -- always check when you are planning for a group.)  You can check out some additional ideas at this link. (Photo and link credit to Little Us)

Guest Links and Giveaways
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Becca's website

Twitter/X

​Instagram
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To buy BUILDING A BEAK, check out Becca's book page

Becca has generously offered a winner's choice:
1. A signed copy of BUILDING A BEAK
or
2. A picture book critique (fic or NF) up to 1,000 words

To be eligible to win, simply leave a comment below.  The giveaway will be active through 11:59 PM EST on July 3.  All commenters will be entered into a random drawing.