Forms in music have names such as binary (AB); ternary (ABA); or rondo (ABACA). If you apply this idea to a book like Ziggy and the moonlight show I suggest it follows the binary form.
Part A
Ziggy hears the cry of a forlorn mother bird. The chick is lost. Ziggy looks at the mother bird and decides the chick must have black and white stripes so with that as the main clue the pair set off. They have to rush because, yes the chick is lost, but tonight is Saturday night - the night everyone loves to attend The Moonlight Show.
The hunt for the chick begins. Stripy feathers in the reeds - no it's the frogs; up in the tree - no it's a tiger; stripes in the grass - no, quick run run it's a huge snake. Ziggy and the mother bird head on into the forest.
"Until out of the stillness came a tiny 'Poe! Poe! Poe! And down through the branches hopped the little chick."
Part B
If they hurry the three of them might make it back in time for the special show but how can they find the way? That's where the animals from the original journey can help. They spy the snake, then the tiger and finally the frogs. And YES they do arrive in time for the show. Moths swirling around the stars - pure magic.
Ziggy and the moonlight show is a very satisfying story with a happy ending and beautiful themes of kindness, courage and perseverance. With a group of older children you could talk about why the snake and tiger do not seem quite so scary at night. You can see more illustrations here. Check out another book by Kristyna Litten - Norton and Alpha.
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