Props A

by Pat Brisson

Basic addition and subtraction are clearly presented in this story in which Benny, the generous hero, has five pennies burning a hole in his pocket which he spends one at a time keeping in mind the helpful suggestions of his family. Our prop features five oversized pennies and each item purchased (flower, cookie, hat, bone and fish) all made from Show-a-Tale fabric. The five coins open in the back allowing for each item to be stored in its penny and then removed as it is purchased. Along with basic math concepts this story and prop also provide a wonderful opportunity to talk about generosity and sharing.

Prop Price: $245

Paperback book only $6.99

by Nicola Smee

This is such a beautiful, engaging and simple telling of a situation all children and and parents know, having so much fun that you don’t want it to end. In this case the opening offer is made by a horse in the barnyard. “Who wants a ride?” Cat, dog, pig and duck take him up on his offer, egging him on to go faster. The game ends with all the animals accidentally being dumped in the hay. Horse worries that he’s playing too rough, until one by one the animals yell for more.

Our prop includes a fabric horse and the four animals which you pile onto horse’s back. As he comes to an imagined screeching halt the animals go tumbling onto a slightly stuffed haystack. The animals yell “again” as you apply the word above their heads, for your captivated viewers to read aloud. Then you pile the animals back on the horse to start all over. Sometimes the fun never stops.

Prop Price: $245 Hardback book: $12.95

by Pat Thompson

This fat cat cannot leave well enough alone. He is determined to have his fill...and then have some more. First he gobbles up a number of animals, then devours an old lady. After being consumed, each of the characters sit stranded in his belly with no way of escaping. It is not until the fat cat eats the tiniest of creatures, a bee, that he is faced with the error of his ways.

Our prop is a big grinning cat with a clear belly into which you can place each of this meals: a rat, a duck, a dog, an old lady, and a bee. In the end, when the bee stings and the cat hiccups, pull all of the characters out and trail the cat behind the old lady, who takes him home to fatten him up once again.

Prop Price: $265

Hardback book: Out of print.

by Kevin Henkes

Sometimes a day just snowballs in a bad direction. Luckily this book shows how easily a bad day turns into to a good one. The bird, dog, fox and squirrel all experience something mildly upsetting.. One by one things resolve and in the end everyone sees things in a better light.

Our prop consists of a fabric bird, his lost feather, the dog stuck on the fence and then free of it, the fox and his misplaced mother and the squirrel and his nut. In the end a young girl places the bird’s feather behind her ear and calls out happily to her mother. All is well with the world. This would be a good story to begin a conversation about how things sometimes turn out better than you expect.

Prop Price $265

Hardback Book: $16.99

Prop for Ducks Don’t Wear Socks

John Nedwidek

Sometimes we choose a friend because they are everything we are not.

Consider the case of Emily, the serious girl in this story. You get the feeling that she’s studious, proper and impaired where

silliness is measured.

Along comes Duck and up ends her world. Emily is immediately drawn to

Duck’s wardrobe choices, his risk taking and his general sense of fun. Pretty soon Emily is willing to go there too.

Our prop includes no nonsense Emily, Duck with all of his clothing items which are socks, a bow tie, boots, pants, a hat, underpants, and pants. Also included are a boat in which duck sits while his pants dry and a skate-board for mobility. At the end of the story Emily dons a complete duck suit and flopping back the duck’s head, there is Emily,

laughing so hard a shimmery tear of joy is revealed. Our ending has Emily grabbing

Duck under her wing and riding off on the skateboard with the word “Quack” hovering above.

This is a wonderful spring tale of lightness and humor and the suggestion that a great friendship can change your perspective forever.

Prop price: $ 305

Hardback book: $15.99

by Candace Fleming

Clever Jack is clever indeed when he decides to bake a cake for the Princess’s tenth birthday. A resourceful and generous boy, he trades his few possessions for raw ingredients and gets down to the business of baking a cake worthy of a princess. Setting out for the party, cake in hand Jack runs into all sorts of trouble in the deep, dark woods. Blackbirds eat the frosting off his cake, a troll eats the bottom layer, the lighted candles burn down one by one, a dancing bear eats the top layer until all that is left of the beautiful cake is the perfect strawberry. Thinking that will be his humble gift, he

arrives at the castle only to have a guard eat that too. Now empty handed he faces the expectant princess and has nothing to offer but his story of the trials endured and the cake that was. The princess is so charmed to hear his story that she and Jack become fast friends.

Our prop includes a two layer fabric cake, frosted in “princess pink” with a message spelled on top in “walnuts”, a perfect red strawberry and ten sparkling “lit” candles atop a fine platter. A fine red fabric heart declares friendship for the ending. (Doily not included, colors may vary)

You might wish to engage a few actors to play the part of the creatures who threaten Jack in the dark woods, stealing all of his cake.

Prop $245

Hardback Book $17.99

detail of cake top

Book Props, LLC 1120 McVey Avenue Lake Oswego, OR 97034

Phone: 503-636-0330 or 800-636-5314 FAX: 503-636-8724