Toys in Space

Product Information

Here's an interesting blog from the Tower Hamlets Schools Library Service: towerhamlets-sls.org.uk/blog-lost-toys From ever-inventive, award-winning author-illustrator Mini Grey comes a hilarious and heartfelt new a motley group of toys left outside in the garden become true friends and brave heroes--in space! Secondary Year 6 leavers - Covid-safe transition activities and ideas It's been a chaotic year but Year 6 children still deserve the best ending to their primary journey This opportunity for connection and reflection prepares children to inhabit the emotional landscape of the book and makes the eventual reading experience richer and more relevant. Inviting a response

Toys in Space - Penguin Books UK Toys in Space - Penguin Books UK

An imaginative, beautifully illustrated story by talented picture book maker Mini Grey. It explores what might happen if toys are forgotten and left in the garden overnight. Through a story within a story the toys and the reader go on a journey into space. There are important themes to talk about such as being frightened and making good or bad choices. Mini Grey writesHow are the toys introduced? Note the words describing them. What kind of comments does each toy make as the story progresses? Do they have distinctive characters? Which toy would you choose as a companion in a crisis? Why? Award-winning illustrator Mini Grey uses inventive layouts and zany humour to add energy to every spread of this much-loved picturebook. Strong characterisation and an engaging moral dilemma bring the toys’ world sharply into focus, and there’s plenty for readers to observe and question. The toys see a shadow when they first arrive on the spaceship. How are shadows formed? Investigate what happens to shadows as objects move closer to the light source. Before reading, collect some ‘lost toys’ and introduce them to your class. How might each toy have come to be lost? How could the toys be reunited with their owners? Invite children to talk about their own toys.

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Strong characterisation and a distinctive narrative voice go hand-in-hand with the tale-within-a-tale structure to make this a storytelling masterpiece in miniature. Make sure everyone understands the idea of a ‘story within a story’ and draw attention to the way the toys help shape the action. Did Wonderdoll invent everything? Or did the adventure really happen? Mini Grey was given her name after being born in a mini in a car park in South Wales. After taking a foundation Course in Fine Art, she studied for an English degree at UCL, afterwards working as a theatre designer, then a primary teacher, before studying for an MA in sequential design at Brighton University. Make sure everyone understands the idea of a ‘story within a story’, and draw their attention to the way the toys help shape the tale as it happens. What do your class think about the ending? Was the Hoctopize real, after all? 1 | Writing opportunities My view, your viewThe toys and the Hoctopize are very different, but they probably have some things in common. Talk about what they may share, as well as some of the differences. Look at the illustrations showing the Hoctopize’s birthday, and share memories of your own celebrations. What does a good party need to be successful? This book is very adorable with its concept of lost toys. It reminds me of Toy Story in a way since each toy clearly has a distinct voice and personality, portrayed with different fonts. Parents will find this story perfect for creating "voices" during story time. Create a name and character profile for some of the toys shown in this spread - or make your own collection of soft toys to sit on shelves, and write each toy's name and details on a luggage tag!

Toys in Space - St Philip Westbrook C of E Primary School Toys in Space - St Philip Westbrook C of E Primary School

Share ideas inspired by this book and extend by reading other stories - there are lots of ideas at the bottom of this feature. In a large, clear space, ask children to pretend they are a sleeping toy. Explore different positions, just like the ones in the book. Play some ‘sleepy music’ and ask the ‘best sleepers’ to tour the room in silence, two at a time, allowing them to observe everyone else while your class is still and quiet. There is a massive amount in this book for your class to engage with and they will be keen to talk about the story, as well as relate it to their own experiences. What did they think about the book and the way it was illustrated? Did it remind them of anything else they’ve read? Did anything suprise them? Look at the spread showing the ‘Room of a Thousand Lost Toys’. What do the words mean on the Sleep-o-meter? Can your class think of other words to describe the sleeping toys?Read the story aloud to your child and enjoy it together stopping to talk about what happens when your child wants to discuss the pictures or what is happening. Talk about the story My first impressions of the book, "Toys in space," by Mini Grey, include intensity of emotions of animals. Also, the story is relatable. It is a funny, light-hearted book and connects the readers to the characters. I enjoyed reading this story as it was adventurous and did a good job in engaging the reader. Literary elements include easy words and humor. Design elements include, characters only in the picture and very colorful images. Look at pictures of the amazing variety of life on earth and talk about the way creatures evolve to fit the place they live. What might creatures from another planet look like? If you have access to a safe, high location, drop the toys and time how long it takes for them to reach the ground. Collect data to analyse and display. Ask children to pretend they are presenting a TV news report about a recently-discovered planet, with one child narrating while the others mime. Move on to individual or group writing, and video children reading their ‘news reports’. The secret life of toys