Why I Picked It Up:
Recently I attended a Judy Freeman Workshop about books and she had mentioned this book. I was slightly concerned that I had never even heard of it before, let alone read it. Immediately it was in my Amazon basket and the rest is history.
Why I Finished It:
She had actually read it to us in the workshop and it was one of those books you couldn’t stop thinking about. A little boy Phillip has an imaginary friend Brock. They are inseparable, even though the parents wished he had a “real” friend. One day, Brock becomes sidetracked and winds up being left behind. In his search to find Brock, he finds a parent approving “real” friend. There’s more “cuteness” to this book, but I will allow you to explore the book on your own. It’s worth the journey. I have read it a few more times since the workshop and just love it. Perhaps its the huge, sword carrying, rotund, pirate looking imaginary friend to the sweet pajama wearing boy, whose parents have the funniest expressions. Maybe it’s the typical imaginary friend plot with a surprisingly sweet and engaging twist. I’m not sure. All I know is that this is one of my all-time top picks!
Who I Would Give It To:
Firstly, every one of my friends who has toddlers needs this book and it’s a definite must for elementary classrooms.
Classroom Integration Ideas:
Read Aloud and General Comprehension (Retell)
I would hate to get to the point where EVERY book had to have a lesson or a follow up because some books are just plain fun. That doesn’t mean we CAN’T teach with this book or that it doesn’t offer something of value, quite the opposite. This is one of those books your class will most likely request to be read a dozen times. This is the book you will eventually want to hide from your toddler, because you couldn’t bear to read it even one more time! Take some time and practice reading this book out loud with expression. Read it to the students, modeling fluency. It is so important for students to hear strong fluency as a goal to emulate. In the end, have a general conversation about the book. Have students discuss what happened. On the floor, create and place mats that have characters, setting, first, second, third, and last written on them. Have students stand and walk on the mats and answer who the characters were, what the setting was, and what happened first, second, third, and last. This is a great, kinesthetic way to retell a story.
Make Connections
There have been many books about imaginary friends. Have students compare the main character, the imaginary friend, and what happened to the friend in the end. Here are a few books to compare and contrast:
- The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat
- Imaginary Fred by Eoin Colfer
- Jessica by Kevin Henkes
- Leo: A Ghost Story by Mac Barnett
Author’s Website: http://cartergoodrich.com/
How have you used We Forgot Brock! in your classroom?
I like that you pointed out that we should model fluency and reading with expression. They way you describe this story makes me want to buy the book as well.
Great Ideas!
Am looking so forward to this work day and having new ideas for next year!
Can’t wait to read it!
I am so excited about using your ideas this school year.
Enjoying the training today and I’m looking forward to reading up on all of the great ideas on this blog!
I’m excited to put these ideas & lessons to use!
Love the ideas to go with the book. And never thought about the importance of modeling fluency!
I have not read this book, but it sounds wonderful. I have read (own and LOVE The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend) and I would love to read them both and compare them.
This book reminds me of students that have an imaginary friend in class. They need to feel that they are understood. I will work on integrating this book in class and with my Tool Kit Lessons. Thanks for the information!
I’ve never heard of this book, but I would love to find this book. Not only would my toddler love this book, but I really think my students could relate to this book. And not only be about to teach about retelling a story, but be able to make connections, which in my experience, a lot of my students have trouble with.
I love books like this to inspire thoughts and writing. Students can choose what characteristics they would want their imaginary friend to have. I have read the BEEKLE story and my toddler, my 1st grader and my 3rd grade
That would be a great idea! They could imagine the qualities their friend would have and illustrate a picture. Enjoy the year!
It never ceases to amaze me as to your passion for helping teachers help students. Good to see and hear you again! Thank you!
Thank you so much, Michele! It is definitely my passion!
Have a fabulous year.
Your ideas and resources are wonderful! I can’t wait to try them out this year! Thank you!
I am so excited to use the things in your Blog this year ❤️
That’s so exciting Nancy! Have a great year.
Thank you so much for all of your hard work! I can’t wait to read this book!
This sounds like a great story that my students would enjoy!
Love’d all the ideas and instruction on writing at East Ward Elementary today! Thank You!