Amazing Grace

Little girl, BIG imagination...

 

 

 

This story is one that, even as an adult, I can totally relate to. As a child, I had a very big imagination. Being an only child, it was quite difficult to find someone to play with me, especially on a rainy day. I would pretend like I was character from a cartoon, a book or a movie and my stuffed animals were the other characters. The little girl in this story reminds me of...well, me. After reading this story, I'm sure a lot of little girls out there can relate to her too.

 

Amazing Grace written by Mary Hoffman and illustrated by Caroline Binch, is a story of a little black girl that has an imagination that is so big that she believes that she can be anything she wants to be, and because of the love and encouragement of her Mama and Nana, she does just that. Grace is a lover of stories of all kinds. After she hears a story, she acts them out and is usually the main character in her 'plays'. At school, Grace has the opportunity to audition for the part of Peter Pan. Her classmates tell her that she can't be Peter Pan because she is a girl and because she is black. Well, Grace proves them wrong. When Grace auditions for the part, she does such an amazing job that she is given the part as Peter Pan!

 

The illustrations of Ms. Binch are very realistic. Binch uses bold colors and soft lines to show just how vibrant Grace's imagination really is. Hoffman's wonderful story of a little girl who dreams big is inspiring. I would consider Amazing Grace to be a contemporary story even though it was written twenty years ago because the subject matter will be forever relevant. There will never be a time when encouraging a child's imagination will go out of style.

 

Reflective Reading

• Imagine yourself as your favorite character. Who are you?
 
• What kind of adventures do you go on as your favorite character?
 
• If you could audition for a play, what play would it be?
 
• What part would you audition for?

Active Reading

•  With a few of your friends/classmates try acting out a favorite story (ex.Three Little Pigs, Jack and the Bean Stalk, etc.) 
 
•  Have an adult put the names of the characters in a hat or bag so that everyone can pick a part fairly.
 
• Practice the play then put on a show for your classmates/family. 



Resources

Hoffman, M. (1991.) Amazing grace. Great Britain;Francis Lincoln Limited