Throughout the story, stop and check for understanding by asking students "Who" and "What" was just read.

Who is the duchess? p. 21 & 22

How do you get to go to permanent fairy school?

What can Alice teach us about hard work?

Will Alice ever reach her dream of becoming a permanent fairy?

Fairy- Sometimes, letters can make different sounds, and if a word doesn’t sound right the first time, we can try another sound! Let’s look at the word fairy together. First, let’s sound it out slowly: f-a-i-r-y. You might first try saying the 'ai' like in the word rain—but wait! That doesn’t sound quite right.  

Let’s try a different sound for ‘ai.’ In some words, ‘ai’ makes the air sound, like in chair or pair. 

Now, let’s say the word again using the 'air' sound—fairy! That sounds right! 

So if a word doesn’t sound quite right, try a different sound the letters could make.

Cookies - Sometimes, letters can make different sounds, and if a word doesn’t sound right the first time, we can try another sound! Let’s look at the word cookies together. First, let’s sound it out slowly: c-o-o-k-i-e-s. You might first try saying ‘oo’ like in book—but wait! Cook-ies doesn’t sound quite right. 

Let’s try a different sound for ‘oo.’ In some words, ‘oo’ makes the long oo sound, like in moon or spoon. 

Now, let’s say the word again using the long ‘oo’ sound—cookies! That sounds right!

This text is a favorite of a lot of students in different grades and at different reading levels and abilities. There are other books written by this author that offer the same structure and unique relationship between the words and the pictures. Once a student is finished with this book show them other books by this author.

Some other texts by David Shannon include:

“No, David!”

How I Became A Pirate

Good Boy, Fergus

David Gets in Trouble

This provides an excellent opportunity to use a thesaurus and look for synonyms to words in the story.

The story uses the words temporary and permanent throughout the story. What word could be used in place of these words?

What words could be used in place of tests (p.1), and tricks (p. 24).