Hank's Big Day

The Story of a Bug

Illustrated by Chuck Groenink
Perfect for reading aloud, this spare, charming picture book about a day in the life of a pill bug in suburbia is also about an unusual friendship.

Hank is a pill bug with a busy life—for a pill bug, that is. His daily routine involves nibbling a dead leaf, climbing up a long stick, avoiding a skateboarder, and playing pretend with his best friend, a human girl named Amelia, in her backyard. And when day is done, Hank likes nothing better than returning home to his cozy rock.
Evan Kuhlman’s stories have appeared in Glimmer Train, Salt Hill, The Madison Review, Third Coast, and The Vincent Brothers Review. He is the winner of the Short-Story Award for New Writers and several journalism prizes. This is his first novel. He lives in Ohio.


Identical twin illustrators Brendon and Brian Fraim are best known for their clean line style in the Knights of the Dinner Table: Illustrated comic book. Visit them at brosfraim.com. View titles by Evan Kuhlman
Originally from the Netherlands, CHUCK GROENINK lives in upstate New York with his partner. The illustrator of over twenty books for young readers, including Full Moon Pups, Hungry Jim, The Friend Ship and William’s Winter Nap, Chuck was awarded the Fiep Westendorp Prize in 2007, and his work has been featured by the Society of Illustrators. Boy Here, Boy There is his author-illustrator debut. View titles by Chuck Groenink

Classroom Activities for Hank's Big Day

Classroom activities supplement discussion and traditional lessons with group projects and creative tasks. Can be used in pre-existing units and lessons, or as stand-alone.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

  • SELECTION | 2017
    Kentucky Bluegrass Master List
  • SELECTION | 2017
    Texas 2x2 Reading List
“The energy of art and text move seamlessly down to nighttime—and a young reader’s nap or bedtime. Excellent layout, text, and illustrations make for a thoroughly satisfying story.”—Kirkus Reviews starred review

"A striking aspect of the dynamic digital artwork is the shifting sense of scale, which demonstrates clearly that size is a relative concept. An eye-catching picture book with an intrepid little hero."— Booklist starred review

"Big, it seems, doesn’t need to refer to revelations, drama, or physical size; it can speak instead to the significance of having a friend who is deeply simpatico."— Publishers Weekly starred review

Hank's Big Day - Read Aloud Flip-Along Picture Book | Brightly Storytime

About

Perfect for reading aloud, this spare, charming picture book about a day in the life of a pill bug in suburbia is also about an unusual friendship.

Hank is a pill bug with a busy life—for a pill bug, that is. His daily routine involves nibbling a dead leaf, climbing up a long stick, avoiding a skateboarder, and playing pretend with his best friend, a human girl named Amelia, in her backyard. And when day is done, Hank likes nothing better than returning home to his cozy rock.

Author

Evan Kuhlman’s stories have appeared in Glimmer Train, Salt Hill, The Madison Review, Third Coast, and The Vincent Brothers Review. He is the winner of the Short-Story Award for New Writers and several journalism prizes. This is his first novel. He lives in Ohio.


Identical twin illustrators Brendon and Brian Fraim are best known for their clean line style in the Knights of the Dinner Table: Illustrated comic book. Visit them at brosfraim.com. View titles by Evan Kuhlman
Originally from the Netherlands, CHUCK GROENINK lives in upstate New York with his partner. The illustrator of over twenty books for young readers, including Full Moon Pups, Hungry Jim, The Friend Ship and William’s Winter Nap, Chuck was awarded the Fiep Westendorp Prize in 2007, and his work has been featured by the Society of Illustrators. Boy Here, Boy There is his author-illustrator debut. View titles by Chuck Groenink

Guides

Classroom Activities for Hank's Big Day

Classroom activities supplement discussion and traditional lessons with group projects and creative tasks. Can be used in pre-existing units and lessons, or as stand-alone.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

Awards

  • SELECTION | 2017
    Kentucky Bluegrass Master List
  • SELECTION | 2017
    Texas 2x2 Reading List

Praise

“The energy of art and text move seamlessly down to nighttime—and a young reader’s nap or bedtime. Excellent layout, text, and illustrations make for a thoroughly satisfying story.”—Kirkus Reviews starred review

"A striking aspect of the dynamic digital artwork is the shifting sense of scale, which demonstrates clearly that size is a relative concept. An eye-catching picture book with an intrepid little hero."— Booklist starred review

"Big, it seems, doesn’t need to refer to revelations, drama, or physical size; it can speak instead to the significance of having a friend who is deeply simpatico."— Publishers Weekly starred review

Media

Hank's Big Day - Read Aloud Flip-Along Picture Book | Brightly Storytime

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