Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee; Illustrated by Tony Fucile. Massachusetts: Candlewick Press, 2010.
Plot summary: DiCamillo and McGhee tell three funny stories
about the two friends arguing and compromising through life's challenges: What
should we do? What should I wear? And the best conflict of all: does Bink need
a new pair of bright striped socks that would blind a best friend named Gollie?
The answer: of course!
Awards: 2011 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award
Audience: Ages 3 - 9 - Children as young as three
will enjoy the emotions and humor. The book addresses need for humor and
stories about friendship which are developmentally appropriate for this age
group. The text is also written at a level that is appropriate to a early
reader of 1st grade through 2nd grade at a 310 Lexile.
Strengths and Weaknesses: (Plot spoilers are present in this
section.) The characters are believable. Bink is a young stubborn girl who
likes to get her way. Gollie is older and has wisdom on her side. The
plot in each of the short stories is appropriate for this age group. The girls
can't agree on the clothes Bink wears- bright socks. This is similar to the
arguments a reader would have had with a parent or caregiver.
The
readability of the text is appropriate for a developing or early reader. New
words are given context clues and words are repeated multiple times giving the
reader confidence. On page 19, the word "compromise" is introduced.
Rather than define the word, DiCamillo & McGhee state what the compromise
would be, and the reader can then infer that compromise is a deal or a trade
you work out so that you are both happy.
Finally,
the illustrator Fucile is creative with his layout. Some pages get full page
spreads and other panels are split in various ways. To highlight the contrast
of opinion of the two girls regarding bright socks he uses a diagonal panel
split across the middle of the page. Each girl is in a different panel pictured
with a facial expression that is firmly convinced her point of view is correct.
Fucile also uses a limited color palette. He uses grey as a primary color and
reserves color for the characters and items that are central to the plot. The
bright colored socks are full on color. The contrast of the bright socks to the
grey colors really highlights the garish appearance. The reader would probably
agree Bink has to let those outrageous socks go.
I could
not find a weakness in this entertaining and funny book.
Creative Uses: To celebrate diversity, I would hold a
crazy sock day at a library or school library to celebrate characters like Bink
and Gollie (B & G). Internationally, odd socks, lots of socks, or crazy socks
are worn to support fundraising and equality for those with Down Syndrome. You
could tie the crazy socks to support a movement like this. However, for the age
of Bink and Gollie readers, this would probably be best to celebrate how
differences are fun but we all have something in common- a creative imagination
and we are all unique just like our crazy socks.
Pancake
party: to encourage young people to learn how to cook, you could have a pancake
party. Gollie cooks pancakes for Bink in the story. Children would enjoy a
pancake brunch where they get to add blueberries or chocolate chips to a
pancake and decorate a face. If you have the space and access to equipment, you
can even have young readers learn how to make pancakes. Sugar cookies,
frosting, and sprinkles could stand in easily too.
Online
gaming & lesson plans: Internet fun is a good way to go as well. There is a
website devoted to Bink and Gollie. The site has games, more information about
the authors and illustrator, a learn more about the characters section, and a
teacher's guide with lesson ideas for three of the B & G books. The lesson
ideas for this book include a math measuring activity that includes drawing and
comparing a student's height to the two characters. A science lesson is also suggested-
make your own gray matter - brain tissue that is. In social studies, students
can take a trip like Gollie and learn about the culture and geography of a new
place. Finally, there is a language art lesson plans that ask a student to
write a story about his or her best friend (Welcome to).
Work Cited
"Welcome
to Bink & Gollie." Welcome to Bink & Gollie,
www.binkandgollie.com/
