1. All About Interaction
Schnauzer Trousers was specifically designed to be an interactive experience for big readers and little listeners. As you spend time with Schnauzer, use these tips to get your kiddos even more involved.
Seek & Find
Greg's illustrations pack a lot of personality into every page. Here are some fun questions to make your second, third, and four-hundredth reading more fun:
- Can you find the snail on every page?
- What do you see in Flamingo's hats?
- What animals do you see on this page?
- What is happening in this store window?
Fun With Text
Julia has honed her writing style over hundreds of books that kids love to hear out loud. Try these tips to make your live performances even more memorable:
- Window Titles and Newspaper Articles are meant to be read aloud and a great chance to test out your 1940s radio announcer voice.
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Accents are a must when it comes to delivering the ultimate bedtime theater. Here are some suggestions for the cast of characters your kids will meet:
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Schnauzer: A timid Scottish dog who's often unsure and usually exasperated.
Think Sean Connery trying to do his taxes -
Flamingo: A loud New England Socialite who's pushy, confident, and impatient.
Think Katharine Hepburn after 6 espressos -
Tailors: Enthusiastic old gentlemen who think their work is always "magnifique"
Think Danny DeVito doing a magic show -
Pugliaccis: Bombastic Broncs brothers love to party and hold court on Pug Hill
Think Joe Pesci leading the Macarena
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Schnauzer: A timid Scottish dog who's often unsure and usually exasperated.
- Italicized words (like Ritzy, Glizty, and Hooey Blooey) are practically characters of their own. Make sure to emphasize them as you read. Maybe even choose a funny accent for them... which brings us to.
2. New Things to Learn
Schnauzer’s Trousers is jam-packed with new things to learn together. In fact, we even included a “Did You Know” page at the end of the book so you can find out more about the New York landmarks featured in the story. The map on the inside cover will help you locate the landmarks as well:
Here are a few more topics from the book to take your little ones' knowledge even further:
- NYC Department Stores
- Fancy Fabrics
NYC DEPARTMENT STORES
All of these famous department stores began in New York City. So it's no surprise that Fifth Avenue's most fashionable flamingo was hired to create amazing window displays for them. Teach your kids about the history of each spot and point out their punny names as you read.
- Brooks Brothers (Barks Brothers) was founded in 1818 by two brothers named Henry and Daniel Brooks. At first, they only sold clothes for men, like suits and coats, but over time they became famous for all kinds of stylish designs. In fact, some of the most famous people in America have worn clothes from Brooks Brothers, including presidents like Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy.
- Saks Fifth Avenue (Quacks Fifth Avenue) was started by a man named Horace Saks and his partner in 1924. The store was really fancy and sold high-end clothes and accessories for both men and women. Over time, it became famous for its beautiful window displays, where they would show off the latest fashions and trends. Lots of famous people, like movie stars and politicians, like to shop there.
- Bergdorf Goodman (Barkdorf Goodogs) was started by a man named Edwin Goodman and his son in 1899. They wanted to make a store that had the best fashions and luxury items for women. Lots of ritzy and glizty people started shopping there, like movie stars and politicians. The store even has a famous restaurant on the top floor called "BG" where people go to eat fancy food and see beautiful views of the New York City.
- Macy's (R. H. Chasey & Co.) was started by a man named R.H. Macy in 1858. When it first opened, the store was just a small dry goods shop (that's fabric, thread, buttons, etc.), but it grew quickly and eventually became one of the biggest department stores in the world. It's famous for its big Thanksgiving Day parade, which has giant balloons and floats that go down the streets of New York City every year.
- Bloomingdale's (Groomingdale's) was started by two brothers named Joseph and Lyman Bloomingdale in 1861. They started out selling hoop skirts and other fashionable clothes for women, but over time, the store began to sell all kinds of things like furniture, electronics, and toys. In the 1900s, the store became even more popular and started to expand to other cities around the United States.
FANCY FABRICS
Talking with your tikes about textiles can be sew much fun! Below, we stitched together some facts about each of the fabrics that Schnauzer could have chosen for his trousers (we were going to weave in some more puns too... but it just felt wrong):
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Corduroy was invented in the 1700s as a hard-wearing fabric for work clothes worn by farmers. The ridges in the fabric (called "wales") made it extra strong and durable.
It's also famous for a children's book called: Corduroy the bear about a teddy who lives in a department store and goes on an adventure to find his missing button. -
Houndstooth gets its name from the pattern which looks like the jagged teeth of a hound dog! It's made up of alternating colored bands that criss-cross to create a zig-zag design.
It's been used in all sorts of fashions over the years, but it's probably most famous for being a favorite of Sherlock Holmes who's usually wearing a houndstooth coat, hat or cape. -
Seersucker is known for its distinctive texture, which feels slightly bumpy. It's created by weaving together two different types of yarn—one that shrinks when it's washed, and one that doesn't—causing the distinctive puckered look.
It was originally created in India and Pakistan, to make clothes that were comfortable in the hot, humid climate. The British brought it back to Europe, where it became popular with wealthy people to wear on summer vacation.
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Glen Check is also known as "Prince of Wales check," because it was famously worn by the British royal family in the early 1900s. The pattern is made up of small, interlocking squares and lines, which vary in color and size.
The name "glen check" comes from the fact that it was originally created to mimic the look of a Scottish tartan. Tartans are a type of plaid pattern that is associated with different Scottish clans, and each one has its own unique color scheme and design. -
Herringbone gets its name from the pattern, which looks like the skeleton of a herring fish! It is made up of a series of short, slanted lines that create a zig-zag design.
Herringbone has been used for centuries and in many different cultures and time periods. In ancient Egypt, herringbone was used to decorate pottery and textiles. In medieval Europe, it was used for tapestries and clothing. -
Gabardine was invented by a man named Thomas Burberry in the late 1800s. Burberry was trying to create a fabric that was both durable and waterproof, and he succeeded!
Gabardine fabric is made by weaving yarns at an angle, which creates a distinctive diagonal pattern called a "twill" that is very strong and resistant to wrinkles. -
Tartan Plaid is often associated with Scotland, where it has been used for centuries to create the distinctive kilts worn by Scottish men. Each tartan pattern is associated with a different Scottish clan, and each one has its own unique color scheme and design.
The word "tartan" comes from the Scottish Gaelic word "tartan," which means "to make things colorful."
3. The Personality Puzzle
Schnauzer is a quiet dog who learns he's uncomfortable being in the spotlight (even though it's something he's dreamed of). At times we all try on different personas until we find the one that fits just right.
Let's talk about personalities and learn something new about ourselves:
QUESTIONS FOR KIDS:
- How would you describe the personality of Schnauzer, Flamingo, and The Pugliacci Brothers?
- How does Schnauzer's personality make him act and feel? What about Flamingo?
- Did you know that some people compare personalities to animals? Which animal(s) best describe you? And me? (see below)
- Learn more about the personality types described by John Trent and Carl Jung
THE TRENT MODEL
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TAKE CHARGE LION
Leader, Determined, Assertive, Firm, Competitive, likes challenges, Decision-maker, Bold, Goal-driven, Adventurous.
"Let's Do It Now" -
FUN-LOVING OTTER
Takes risks, Visionary, Motivator, Energetic, Very verbal, Promoter, Avoids details, Likes variety, Enjoys change, Creative, Optimistic.
“Trust me! It’ll work out!”
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ORDERLY BEAVER
Deliberate, Controlled, Reserved, Predictable, Practical, Factual, Detailed, Analytical, Inquisitive, Precise, Persistent, Scheduled.
“How was it done in the past?” -
CARING RETRIEVER
Good listener, Even keel, Avoids conflict, Enjoys routine, Loyal, Dislikes change, Patient, Thoughtful, Deep relationships, Sympathetic.
“Let’s keep things the way they are.”
THE JUNG MODEL
Big Bubbly Extroverts
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SENSING OTTER
You have lots of energy and love having fun. You don't like rules if they get in the way of trying new things. You're the one everyone is looking at—and boy do you look good! -
INTUITIVE PARROT
You're a very smart and curious person who loves work by yourself then share your ideas with others. You need to know the reasons behind the rules and think life's an adventure! -
FEELING ELEPHANT
You are kind and organized. You love to make new friends, plan parties and help others. Your favorite place is where everyone is working together and enjoying themselves. -
THINKING COLLIE
You are a smart and active person who loves to lead. You enjoy challenges and working hard to achieve your goals. It's like you're playing a game, and you really want to win!
Cool & Calm Introverts
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SENSING BEAVER
You're careful and organized "Master-Builder" who likes to follow a plans and work on projects by yourself. You set goals to achieve them, while following rules and direction. -
INTUITIVE PANDA
You are very creative and thoughtful. You enjoy helping others come up with new ideas (and inventing your own world) and like to do it all in a peaceful and quiet place. -
FEELING MEERKAT
You like to be alone sometimes to think about your feelings. You find ways to help people and learn about them, and you like to be in places where they feel safe and special. -
THINKING OWL
You like to think and solve problems on your own. You try to understand things and make them better, and you see life as an interesting puzzle to be solved.
4. A+ Problem-Solving
Schnauzer finds himself in a real pickle when he realizes that Flamingo isn’t listening to him and she isn’t going to change. He has a choice to go on being unhappy, complain about it (well he does a little bit of that), or find a creative solution. It’s worth talking to children about the best way to address problems they encounter—and Schnauzer can help:
QUESTIONS FOR KIDS:
- What was Schnauzer's problem?
- What would you have done?
- What steps did he take to solve it?
- Are you proud of Schnauzer? Why?
MORE LITERARY EXAMPLES
You can also talk to you tikes about how each of these stories introduce characters that work creatively and independently (without much help from adults) to solve their problems too:
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The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
introduces a bored and disinterested boy named Milo who enters a magical kingdom where he must use his wits and problem-solving skills to help rescue the princesses Rhyme and Reason from the evil rulers. -
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
tells how Harry and his friends use their magical skills to overcome a variety of obstacles to prevent the Voldemort from stealing the powerful Philosopher's Stone.
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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
follows Charlie Bucket and the other kids as they solve a series of puzzles and challenges in order to win the grand prize of visiting Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. -
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
shows how four siblings - Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy - use their creativity to defeat the White Witch and save Narnia. Like when they use a makeshift raft to cross a river and create a diversion to rescue Mr. Tumnus.
5. Drawing Together
Lastly, you can’t finish Schnauzer’s Trousers without talking about art with your young Picassos. Here’s a few questions and ways to spend some quality artistic time together:
Use the activity pages to help your child plan a perfect outfit and hat their own. Once they’ve settled on a design, have them color it in the back of the book.
Don’t forget to put their name and date on the page, so that years later when they open up Schnauzer’s Trouser with their little ones they can show off their masterpiece. Won’t that be a fun memory!QUESTIONS FOR KIDS:
- What's the art style in this book?
- Which page is your favorite? Why?
- How does the artist use texture and shading?
- What other artwork do you like to look at?
OTHER INTERESTING ART STYLES
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Impressionism
Claude Monet - Les falaises de Varengeville - 1897
Impressionism was popular in France in the late 1800s. These artists liked to paint outside and they tried to show how light and color can change the way we see things. They used bright colors and quick brushstrokes to make their paintings look lively and happy. Some famous Impressionists are Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir.
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Cubism
Juan Gris - Portrait of Pablo Picasso - 1912
Cubism started in France in the early 1900s. Artists like Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque made pictures that looked like they were made up of lots of different shapes. They broke down things like faces and objects into small parts and then put them back together again in a new way. This made the pictures look really geometric and interesting!
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Pop Art
Andy Warhol - Lemon Marilyn - 1962
Pop Art began in the 1950s in Britain and America. Pop artists like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein liked to use pictures and symbols from popular culture, like ads, comic books, and famous people. They made these pictures bright and colorful and put them on big canvases. It also uses new technologies for creating art like screen and off-set printing!
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Surrealism
Salvador Dali - The Persistence of Memory - 1931
Surrealism started in Europe in the 1920s. Artists like Salvador Dali and Rene Magritte liked to make pictures that looked really strange and dreamy. They put together things that don't usually go together, like a clock melting on a tree or a bird with a person's face. Surrealist art is weird and cool and makes you think about things in a different way!