I just love the book I am going to share with you today! The Hula Hoopin’ Queen by Thelma Lynne Godin and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton is a delightful book full of great figurative language.
The Hula Hoopin’ Queen is available on both Amazon and Barnes and Noble, but a video of the book read by Oprah Winfrey is available for FREE on Storyline Online (Screen Actor’s Guild Foundation project)!
I just love the main character in the story. Her name is Kameeka and she is full of spunk. I also love the sense of community that you feel when you read this book.
This book is GREAT for teaching figurative language.
There are examples of onomatopoeia in the story…
honk
tappin’
snappin’
swish
roar
There are examples of alliteration in the story…
swish, swiggle, swish is repeated many times throughout the story
There are examples of similes…
Mama stands still as water in a puddle.
streetlights shine like stars
heart is racing as fast as the roller coaster at Coney Island
noddin’ her head like a spring robin looking for a worm
There are examples of metaphors…
sidewalk is cooler than a spring rain
Mama is madder than a hornet,
I have a quick Figurative Language organizer that you can use with this book if you would like to! Grab it for free here ⇩
You could also check with your P.E. teacher for hula hoops. You could take your students to the playground or gym (during an open time) to have their own hula hoopin’ contest!
Hope you have the best week!
Kim
