About This Book
In Chris Van Allsburg's Bad Day at Riverbend, readers are drawn into a black and white Western mystery as Sheriff Hardy tries to understand why his town is being covered in a strange, colorful, greasy slime. What begins as a suspenseful investigation takes a brilliant meta-fictional turn when the source of the "slime" is revealed to be a child's crayons. This book is perfect for sparking conversations about perspective, reality, and the power of imagination, making it a unique read-aloud experience for children aged 5-9.
When Sheriff Hardy investigates the source of a brilliant light and shiny slime afflicting Riverbend, he finds that the village is becoming part of a child's coloring book streaked with greasy crayons.
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Discussion Prompts
1
What did you think was happening when the slime first appeared?
2
How did you feel when you realized what the "slime" really was?
3
If you could draw in a coloring book and affect the characters, what would you do?
4
What does this book tell us about how we see the world?
5
Do you think the boy knows the characters are "real" in their own way?
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