A Big Ball of String

A psychological horror story for kids?

A boy has a mental health crisis expressed as a manic obsession with string. I was hoping he would receive the care he needs, but the book leaves him deep in the throes of his spiraling thoughts.

My daughter did not like this when she was six.

FOR REFERENCE:

Rated “Indifferent" in our old book database by Rod and Adelia.

This poem tells of a young boy searching for enough string to create a big ball of string. Once he creates this ball, he puts it to all sorts of uses while he is sick in bed with a cold. I like this book because of the little boy's creativity, determination, and execution in finding uses for his ball of string. This book would be suitable for a K-2 classroom, to discuss poems and the variety of things that can be done with a good dose of imagination.

The text is easy enough for a kindergarten student, but the story is probably too long for a single reading. The book divides nicely into two parts, though. The humor of a boy finding clever ways to use his string is appealing. Good choice for K5 or 1st grade.

My favorite book as a kid!: This was my favorite book growing up. I love the drawings and the ideas the boy came up to do with his string. I decided to go online to look for a copy I could read to my own kids. Now that I see how rare it is, I think I'm going to beg my parents for my old book back. Its a well worn book and has had its spine taped since it was read so much. But that's ok -- I still love it. (Besides, its all ready personalized for me -by me- in big red crayon "Kerry")

A Big Ball of String is full of ideas on what a kid can do with a big ball of string. The boy creates remote door openers and artistic decorations and other things simply by using his imagination. It encourages young children to use their own imaginations and it is easily readable by a beginning reader.

I want to use the word "pedantic," but I guess what I really mean is something like ... excessively interested in string.

A great story for young children, a boy finds pieces of string, and, while he's sick, sets up things in his room to bring stuff to his bed.