Sody Sallyratus

I first heard the Sody Sallyratus story told by a storyteller who came to the preschool where I teach, and I was hooked. I quickly learned the story so that I could also retell it, and I have always found it to be a hit with every child I've told it to. When I found this version of the story in the library, I was delighted. While it's a wonderful story for telling "from my head", the gorgeous illustrations in this book, the nice ending where the bear runs away, and the inclusion of the sody sallyratus song that really makes the story (and which children will chant to themselves long after hearing the story), all make this book one that I definitely want in my library. After checking it out from the library more times than I can count, I am finally buying my own copy.

I selected this book for Pre-school Storytime and for class tours at the public library. The children loved the down home atmosphere of the story and listened in wide-eyed, open-mouthed silence until they joined in on "up popped the big brown bear."The ending is ingenious, the pictures lovely and it was a blast to read aloud. I will definitely make this a mainstay of my read-aloud library.

I used this book as part of a lesson unit plan centering on "the good old days." The quick pace and repetitive style make this book particularly suited for use with younger students. In addition, the biscuit receipe at the end gives students the opportunity to practice those "real world" math skills.

This repetitive "Up jumped a big black bear!" folk tale is enjoyed by "younguns" of all ages. They are delighted to find a recipe of the old woman's bakin' soda biscuits at the end. The illustrations are beautiful.