Shh We Have A Plan Board Book

From Chris Haughton, the multi award-winning author-illustrator of A Bit Lost and Oh No, George!, comes a picture book about a beautiful bird, four friends, and plans gone wrong…

The friends are out for a walk. Suddenly, they spot it – a beautiful bird perched high in a tree! They simply must have it and – ssh! – they have a plan. So they tip-toe very slowly, nets poised – “Ready one … ready two … ready three … GO!” But, at the turn of the page, we find a ridiculous bunch of very tangled characters and a blissfully oblivious bird, flying away. One hilarious foiled plan after another and it’s clear that this goofy gang cannot catch that elusive birdie! But the littlest of this group, a quiet spectator up until now, knows that a bit of kindness can go a long way… Will his friends follow his gentle lead or will they get themselves into even more trouble? The winner of the 2014 Association of Illustrator’s Award for Children’s Books, Chris Haughton’s covetable tale is now in a gorgeous board book edition.

Heart Reads says:

This board book is exceptional in its ability to convey a powerful message through minimalistic text and vivid illustrations. The story is a delightful exploration of themes such as teamwork, the folly of overly complicated plans, and the importance of kindness and gentleness. The repetitive phrase “Shh! We have a plan” becomes a comedic element that children will love to anticipate and repeat out loud as the story progresses.

The board book format is ideal for its target audience, providing durable pages for little hands to explore. This format also ensures that the book can withstand the repeated readings that are likely to be requested by children who fall in love with the story.

Heart Reads Reading Tips:

1. Engage with the Repetition: Encourage your child to join in each time the phrase “Shh! We have a plan” is read. This interactive element enhances their listening and speaking skills, not to mention more fun!
2. Explore the Illustrations: Take time to discuss the illustrations with your child. Ask them to describe what they see and how the characters might be feeling. This helps develop observational and empathy skills.
3. Predict the Outcome: Before turning the page, ask your child what they think will happen next. This engages their imagination and anticipation skills, making them active participants in the storytelling process.
4. Discuss the Moral: After reading, talk about the story’s moral and how kindness and patience are often more effective than elaborate plans. This can be a gentle introduction to discussing broader themes of strategy versus spontaneity and force versus gentleness.
5. Fun things to do: Inspired by the book’s artwork, you and your child can create your own bird crafts or drawings. This activity extends the reading experience and allows children to express their creativity.
6. Act It Out: Encourage your child to act out the story with you or their toys. This not only deepens their understanding and retention of the story but also enhances their physical and social play skills.

“Shh! We Have a Plan” is a valuable tool for parents and educators aiming to impart lessons on strategy, kindness, and the joy of shared experiences.