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Book Review: The Great Indoors by Julie Falatko

By Sara Yaniga, Macaroni Kid Chicago (Midtown) May 1, 2019

WARNING: THIS BOOK MAY CAUSE BOUTS OF LAUGHTER AND INSPIRE CREATIVITY!

There is nothing my family appreciates more than a good book to share together and Disney Publishing recently provided us with the opportunity to read one of their newest titles, The Great Indoors, by Julie Falatko.  The moment I opened the package our 7-year-old son grabbed the book, dropped onto the couch and started reading it aloud.  Almost immediately the giggles began, which made his little sister, and myself, curious about what was so funny.  

We couldn't resist and hopped onto the couch next to him for a storytime and were soon laughing right along with him.  Being it was just a few days from our own spring break trip it started us talking about what really goes on in our own home when we are out of town and what kind of animals may enjoy a chance to "plugin and unwind" here.  We have always suspected our dog was a bit mischevious when we weren't around and are now certain she is hosting parties with all the local squirrels and pigeons in our place.  My son enjoyed the book so much that he packed it in his suitcase and brought it on vacation with us to share with his Nana for a bedtime story.  I heard A LOT of laughter and talking during their reading of the book too! 

When we returned home I knew this story would be perfect for a Macaroni Kid Story Time, but I was having a hard time deciding on an audience and location.  While meeting with a teacher from a local elementary school the problem was solved - her first-grade class would be the PERFECT audience for a storytime session.  On a Friday afternoon, her student teacher read "The Great Indoors" to the class and much like my son, the laughter started almost immediately.  If a family of humans is escaping to the great outdoors for a little chance to relax, doesn't make sense that the animals would want to come inside to do the same? When we reached the page in the story where the Beaver demands to know "who keeps licking the butter" some kids literally fell over from laughing.  When story time was over, and the kids were busy on their activity sheets, there was a buzz of conversation in the room and the teacher came up to me.

"Can we extend story time to a second day?  The kids really enjoyed the book and by the discussion that is happening at their tables, I think it would be the perfect inspiration for Monday's creative writing lesson."  

Naturally, I agreed and left the book for them to use for another day.  When Monday rolled around the kids had another story time, this time with a student reading the book to the class, and then sat down to begin writing their own stories based on the book.  Some wrote about their favorite thing to do indoors, some wrote about their favorite outdoor activity.  Others shared what they think camping would be like and some just drew pictures of their favorite moments in the story, but this time incorporating themselves into the story. (Spoiler: A lot of 6-year-olds want to lick butter apparently!)


Sure, a book read aloud is something to enjoy in its own right, but when you find a book that encourages kids to think, discuss and create - it is just great!  As a parent, my favorite things about this story were the unique personalities each animal had and how the typical camping scenarios were twisted into the scenes with the animals indoors.  The first graders were really able to pick up on that aspect too!

This book is suggested for kids ages 3-5, but in our experience, we found the 6 and 7-year-olds were really able to get a lot out of this endearing story.  If you have the opportunity to grab this book for your own family or class then I recommend it!  I predict another family story time with the "Great Indoors" by Julie Falatko is in my future.