It's Not My Fault

by Nancy Carlson

 

 

Discussion Guides and Activity Ideas
ABOUT THE BOOK:
George is NOT having a good day. First he oversleeps, then he's late for class - soon mice are running loose throughout the school! One mishap leads to another until George is up to his ears in trouble. Yet somehow, none of it is George's fault. He has an excuse for everything. But as his bad choices catch up with him, George runs out of others to blame.

(from the author’s website, www.nancycarlson.com)
 

DISCUSSION STARTERS:

  • What does responsibility mean to you?

  • Before reading: just by looking at the cover what do you think the book will be about?

  • What were you feeling when you finished the book?

  • Explain how George doesn’t take responsibility for his actions in this story.

  • When have you not taken responsibility for your actions?

  • If George was acting responsibly, how would the story have ended?


SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES:

    Check out our Events Calendar at www.scott.lib.mn.us/OTSP.html for ongoing activities.

    Create a chart for your child to record their responsibilities around the house.

    Draw a picture to show how being responsible makes you feel.

    Visit  Nancy Carlson’s website to learn more about her and her other books at  www.nancycarlson.com Try writing your own ending showing George truly taking responsibility for his own actions.

    Do an author study with author Nancy Carlson.  Read various books aloud from the author and look for similarities and differences of the books.

    Interview a person you believe is responsible.  Tell the person why you think they are responsible. 

Other Picture Books about Responsibility

Pet Boy by Keith Graves

A Child’s Happy Heart by Susan D. Amundson

Do I Have To? Kids Talk About Responsibility by Nancy Loewen

When I Go Camping with Grandma by Marion Dane Bauer

My Buddy by Audrey Osofsky