Discuss the Story

Why do you think the author wrote this book?
Describe the different kinds of bellies in this book.
Describe the different personalities and how the people were unique.
Turn to page eighteen. What does the author mean when she writes bellies make great tables? Have you ever used your belly as a table?
On page eighteen, why do you think Maddie thought that Mr. St. Clair’s belly sparkled?
Turn to page twenty and notice the birds’ bellies. What shape are they? Are they alike or different in size? Why do you think Maddie starts talking about food?
Why does Maddie think her mom’s belly feels like home? What does she like about her mom’s belly?
Discuss how the illustrations are filled with detail and help convey the meaning of the story. Have students explain how the illustrations help tell the story, citing specific places in the story.