Mercer Mayer
Biographical information
Mercer Mayer is the author and illustrator of the Little Critter first Readers and Spectrum. He is also well known for his Little Monster’s book series. He was born in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1943. He has published over 300 books! He chose to write his books based on events that happened to him throughout his life—mainly when he was a child. His stories are now more inspired by watching his children and grandchildren. These books are typically realistic fiction books that share a story of characters who deal with everyday events children will go through in their own lives. This books can help students to relate to some events or changes they are going through in their own lives and make them not as scary. For instance, Mercer Mayer has some books titles The New Baby and Just Going to the Dentist. These books share a story of a character the students can relate to and understand what is happening. Mercer Mayer began illustrating books in 1966. His first published picture book was A Boy, a Dog, and a Frog in 1967. Since that time, many of his books have been translated into other languages such as Spanish, German, French, and Japanese. He moved to Hawaii when he was 13 years old. After attending school and meeting and marrying his wife, Gina, they now live together in Connecticut and write the Little Critter Books together.
Awards
National Book Festival "Artist of the Year", 2007
Awards
National Book Festival "Artist of the Year", 2007
Some Mercer Mayer Books for the Classroom
There’s A Nightmare in My Closet by Mercer Mayer
Just a Kite by Mercer Mayer
There’s A Nightmare in My Closet by Mercer Mayer
- This children’s book shares a fun story about a young boy who knows there is a nightmare in his closet and decides something needs to be done about this. He sets a trap to get rid of the nightmare once and for all, but when he comes face to face with his nightmare the unexpected happens…his nightmare isn’t quite as scary as he had thought.
- This children’s book tells a story of young boy who knows there is an alligator under his bed, but no one else believes him. That means it is up to him to come up with a plan to lure the alligator out and find another place for the alligator to go.
- This realistic children’s book is a great story about a Mother’s Day through the eyes of the children. The pictures add humor to the story because they show the full picture—through the eyes of the parents, especially the mothers. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and believe young students would as well. This book would also be a good way to introduce cultural traditions in the classroom.
- This children’s book is very unique in that this book has no text and simply illustration based. The characters are lot of fun drawn as different animals and with a lot of bright colors. I feel students would enjoy this book and creating their own story. This would be a good book for pre-K and kindergarten students to get used to the format of books, but it would also be a good education tool for older students up to fourth grade as well.
- This fictional children’s book brings to life a young boy who wants nothing more than to have a pet dog. Unfortunately, his mother is not sharing the same desires. Instead, the young boy finds another pet at a yard sale and has to deal with the aftermath.
Just a Kite by Mercer Mayer
- This realistic fiction books shares the story of a young Little Critter who loves to spend his time having new adventures. One day his dad helps him to build a kite. The story shares Little Critter’s story of building a kite and all the fun he had in the day flying his brand new kite.
Related 3rd Grade ACTIVITIES!
Mercer Mayer Author Study: Activity #1
Grade Level: Third Grade
Book Choice: Octopus Soup
Language Arts Standard:
E03.B-C.2.1.1: Explain the point of view from which a text is written.
E03.A-C.2.1.1: Explain the point of view from which a story is narrated, including the difference between first and third-person narrations.
Objectives:
Opening
Work Period
Closing
Grade Level: Third Grade
Book Choice: Octopus Soup
Language Arts Standard:
E03.B-C.2.1.1: Explain the point of view from which a text is written.
E03.A-C.2.1.1: Explain the point of view from which a story is narrated, including the difference between first and third-person narrations.
Objectives:
- Students will be able to determine what point of view the story is told through.
- Students will be able to create a story based on other character’s point of view.
- Students will be able to explain and defend their writing choices for point of view (for example, first vs. third person).
Opening
- Teacher will quickly review point of view.
- Teacher will introduce the book Octopus Soup by Mercer Mayer.
- There will be one copy at each table for students to look through and talk about with their classmates.
- Teacher will engage children in discussion of the point of view for the story.
- Teacher will model Accountable Talk by making specific references to the illustrations.
Work Period
- While giving directions, the teacher will model creating a short story for point of view for the characters in the story.
- The teacher will have students work independently. The students can choose if they want to explain the story through the chef’s point of view or through the octopus’ point of view.
- Students will independently write a short story based on the text of what was happening during the story through their characters point of view.
- The teacher will circulate to help students and encourage them to add more to their writing. The teacher will use leading questions such as what do you think your character was feeling on this page?
Closing
- Teacher will gather class back together and discuss what they know about point of view.
- Students will have their chance to share their story with a partner. (The teacher will also try to partner students will a student who did a different point of view as them if possible.)
- Teacher will stress how changing a point of view for a story can greatly change a story.
Mercer Mayer Author Study: Activity #2
Grade Level: Third Grade
Book Choice: Too Many Dinosaurs
Language Arts Standard:
E03.C.1.1.1: Introduce the topic or text for the intended audience, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure that lists reasons to support the writer’s purpose.
E03.C.1.1.2: Provide reasons that support the opinion.
Objectives:
Opening
Work Period
Closing
Grade Level: Third Grade
Book Choice: Too Many Dinosaurs
Language Arts Standard:
E03.C.1.1.1: Introduce the topic or text for the intended audience, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure that lists reasons to support the writer’s purpose.
E03.C.1.1.2: Provide reasons that support the opinion.
Objectives:
- Students will be able to write a letter and understand the components of a letter format.
- Students will be able to use opinions and facts to persuade a reader.
Opening
- Teacher will talk about writing letters and the importance of using facts to persuade others.
- Teacher will introduce and read the book Too Many Dinosaurs by Mercer Mayer.
- Teacher will engage children in discussion of why it is important for students to have a pet dog.
- Teacher will model Accountable Talk by making specific references to the text.
Work Period
- While giving directions, the teacher will model using a sample persuasive letter.
- The teacher will have students work independently. The students will need to use at least 4 reasons to help defend why they should be able to get a pet.
- Students will independently their letters and then partner with another student to peer edit each other’s papers.
- The teacher will circulate to help students and encourage them to add more to their writing. The teacher will use leading questions to help students identify what extra details they could add to their writing.
Closing
- Teacher will gather class back together and discuss what they learned about persuasive writing and the format of letters.
- Students will have their chance to share their story with a different partner than they peer edited with.
- Teacher will stress how using points to help defend their opinion is key to writing a persuasive writing piece.
Mercer Mayer Author Study: Activity #3
Grade Level: Third Grade
Book Choice: There’s An Alligator Under My Bed
Language Arts Standard:
R3.A.1.3.1: Make inferences and/or draw conclusions based on information from the text.
E03.A-K.1.1.3: Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.
E03.C.1.1.2: Provide reasons that support the opinion.
Objectives:
Opening
Work Period
Closing
Grade Level: Third Grade
Book Choice: There’s An Alligator Under My Bed
Language Arts Standard:
R3.A.1.3.1: Make inferences and/or draw conclusions based on information from the text.
E03.A-K.1.1.3: Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.
E03.C.1.1.2: Provide reasons that support the opinion.
Objectives:
- Students will be able to use content from the text and illustrations in order to create an alternative ending.
- Students will be able to explain their choices to other students and defend their choices through components of the text.
Opening
- Teacher will talk about using components of a text to help make inferences and come up with different options for a story.
- Teacher will introduce and read the book There’s an Alligator Under My Bed by Mercer Mayer—the teacher will stop reading after the point where the boy in the story goes to the fridge to get alligator bait.
- Teacher will engage children in discussion on how they think the story might end.
- Teacher will model Accountable Talk by making specific references to the text.
Work Period
- The teacher will have students work independently to write their ending to the story.
- After finishing their alternate ending, the students will share their idea with a partner. During this time, the students will need to explain why they thought this could be an ending according to what they already learned from the story. (The teacher will be walking around and listening to the partner discussions.)
- The teacher will circulate to help students and encourage them to add more to their writing. The teacher will use leading questions to help students identify what extra details they could add to their writing.
Closing
- Teacher will gather class back together and have two or three students share what they thought could be a possible ending to the story.
- The teacher will finish the story from where they left off. Students will be able to discuss how their ending was different than the ending of the book (this discussion will again be with a partner).
- Teacher will stress how using clues from the story is important in making decision in writing and making predictions.
Mercer Mayer Author Study: Activity #4
Grade Level: Third Grade
Book Choice: Just a Kite
Language Arts Standard:
E03.B-K.1.1.3: Describe the relationship between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text, using language that pertains to time, sequence, and cause/effect.
E03.A-K.1.1.3: Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.
Objectives:
Opening
Work Period
Closing
Grade Level: Third Grade
Book Choice: Just a Kite
Language Arts Standard:
E03.B-K.1.1.3: Describe the relationship between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text, using language that pertains to time, sequence, and cause/effect.
E03.A-K.1.1.3: Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.
Objectives:
- Students will be able to write directions in a sequence that the reader can follow.
- Students will be able to understand how sequence creates an effect on the next step.
Opening
- Teacher will talk about steps and a sequence.
- Teacher will introduce and read the book Just a Kite by Mercer Mayer.
- Teacher will explain how students need to build a kite today and writes steps on how to do it.
- Teacher will model Accountable Talk by making specific references to the text.
Work Period
- The teacher will supply all the materials needed to build a kite.
- The teacher model how to build a kite in front of the class.
- The students with be buddied with another student to help them.
- The students will need to write steps down together and then share them with the teacher to make sure they are correct.
- The teacher will circulate to help students and encourage them to add more to their writing. The teacher will use leading questions to help students understand what they might have mistaken and help them understand what needs to be corrected.
- After their steps have been approved by the teacher, the students will be able to each build their own kite using the steps they wrote.
Closing
- Teacher will gather class back together and provide students the opportunity to go outside and try flying their kites.
- The teacher will stress the importance of following steps and knowing how one step effects the other. If they tried switching steps 3 and 6, for example, they would not have been able to build a kite.
Books Mercer Mayer has Published
- A Boy, a Dog, and a Frog by Mercer Mayer
- A Green, Green Garden by Mercer Mayer
- A Zombie’s Guide to the Human Body by Scholastic, Mercer Mayer, Tom Becker
- All By Myself by Mercer Mayer
- Altogether, One at a Time by E.L. Konigsburg, illustrated by Mercer Mayer
- At the Beach with Dad by Mercer Mayer
- Baby Sisters Says No! by Mercer Mayer
- Beauty and the Beast by Marianna Mayer, illustrated by Mercer Mayer
- Bye-Bye, Mom and Dad by Mercer Mayer
- First Day of School by Mercer Mayer
- Frog Goes to Dinner by Mercer Mayer
- Frog, Where are You? by Mercer Mayer
- Going to the Firehouse by Mercer Mayer
- Going to the Sea Park by Mercer Mayer
- Good for Me and You by Mercer Mayer
- Grandma, Grandpa, and Me by Mercer Mayer
- Happy Easter Little Critter by Mercer Mayer
- Happy Halloween, Little Critter! by Mercer Mayer
- Happy Mother’s Day! by Mercer Mayer
- Happy Valentine’s Day, Little Critter! by Mercer Mayer
- I Am Sharing by Mercer Mayer
- I Just Forgot by Mercer Mayer
- I Was So Mad by Mercer Mayer
- It’s Easter, Little Critter! by Mercer Mayer
- It’s Earth Day by Mercer Mayer
- It’s Mine by Mercer Mayer and Gina Mayer
- Just a Big Storm by Mercer Mayer
- Just a Day at the Pond by Mercer Mayer
- Just a Daydream by Mercer Mayer
- Just a Kite by Mercer Mayer
- Just a Little Love by Mercer Mayer
- Just a Little Luck by Mercer Mayer
- Just a Little Music by Mercer Mayer
- Just a Little Sick by Mercer Mayer
- Just a Little Too Little by Mercer Mayer
- Just a Mess by Mercer Mayer
- Just a Rainy Day by Mercer Mayer
- Just a School Project by Mercer Mayer
- Just a Snowman by Mercer Mayer
- Just a Special Day by Mercer Mayer
- Just a Special Thanksgiving by Mercer Mayer
- Just a Teacher’s Pet by Mercer Mayer
- Just Big Enough by Mercer Mayer
- Just Camping Out by Mercer Mayer
- Just Critters Who Care by Mercer Mayer
- Just for You by Mercer Mayer
- Just Fishing with Grandma by Mercer Mayer
- Just Going to Bed by Mercer Mayer
- Just Going to the Dentist by Mercer Mayer
- Just Grandma and Me by Mercer Mayer
- Just Grandpa and Me by Mercer Mayer
- Just Helping My Dad by Mercer Mayer
- Just Lost! by Mercer Mayer and Gina Mayer
- Just Me and My Babysitter by Mercer Mayer
- Just Me and My Cousin by Mercer Mayer
- Just Me and My Dad by Mercer Mayer
- Just Me and My Little Brother
- Just Me and My Mom by Mercer Mayer
- Just Me and My Puppy by Mercer Mayer and Richard Preston
- Just Me in the Tub by Mercer Mayer and Gina Mayer
- Just My Friend and Me by Mercer Mayer and Charles R. Smith Jr.
- Just My Lost Treasure by Mercer Mayer
- Just One More Pet by Mercer Mayer
- Just Shopping with Mom by Mercer Mayer and Vollmar
- Just So Thankful by Mercer Mayer
- Little Critter at Scout Camp by Mercer Mayer
- Little Critter Colors by Mercer Mayer
- Little Critter’s Snowball Soup by Mercer Mayer
- Little Critter’s The Night Before Christmas
- Little Critter’s Bedtime Storybook by Mercer Mayer
- Liza Lou and the Yeller Belly Swamp by Mercer Mayer
- Merry Christmas, Little Critter! by Mercer Mayer
- Me and My Little Brain by John D. Fitzgerald and illustrated by Mercer Mayer
- Me Too! by Mercer Mayer
- More Adventures of the Great Brain by John D. Fitzgerald and illustrated by Mercer Mayer
- My Trip to the Hospital by Mercer Mayer
- No Howling in the House by Mercer Mayer and Erica Farber
- Octopus Soup by Mercer Mayer
- Our Friend Sam by Mercer Mayer
- Scholastic 2011 Almanac for Kids by Mercer Mayer and Tom Becker
- Shibumi and the Kitemaker by Mercer Mayer
- Snowball Soup by Mercer Mayer
- Snow Day by Mercer Mayer
- That’s Not Fair by Mercer Mayer and Gina Mayer
- The Best Show and Share by Mercer Mayer
- The Best Teacher Ever by Mercer Mayer
- The Best Yard Sale by Mercer Mayer
- The Fall Festival by Mercer Mayer
- The Figure in the Shadows by John Bellairs and illustrated by Mercer Mayer
- The Great Brain by John D. Fitzgerald and illustrated by Mercer Mayer
- The Little Drummer Mouse by Mercer Mayer
- The Lost Dinosaur Bone by Mercer Mayer
- The New Baby by Mercer Mayer and C. Nahmad
- The New Potty by Mercer Mayer and Gina Mayer
- There’s a Nightmare in my Closet by Mercer Mayer
- There’s and Alligator Under My Bed by Mercer Mayer
- This Is My Town by Mercer Mayer
- To The Rescue! by Mercer Mayer
- We Are Moving by Mercer Mayer
- What a Bad Dream by Mercer Mayer
- What a Good Kitty by Mercer Mayer
- What Do You Do With a Kangaroo? by Mercer Mayer
- When I Get Bigger by Mercer Mayer
Resources:
Facebook—Mercer Mayer. (2015). Retrieved April 16, 2015, from https://www.facebook.com/mercer.mayer.7?v=wall
Johnson, V. (n.d.). Mercer Mayer. Retrieved April 16, 2015, from http://www.librarypoint.org/mercer_mayer
LITTLE CRITTER Stories, Jokes, Puzzles and Games for Kids. (2013). Retrieved April 16, 2015, from http://www.littlecritter.com/index.html
Mercer Mayer. (2015). Retrieved April 16, 2015, from http://www.harpercollins.com/cr-100745/mercer-mayer
Mercer Mayer's Biography | Scholastic.com. (2015). Retrieved April 16, 2015, from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/mercer-mayer
Facebook—Mercer Mayer. (2015). Retrieved April 16, 2015, from https://www.facebook.com/mercer.mayer.7?v=wall
- This website helps to share updated information about the author and his books.
Johnson, V. (n.d.). Mercer Mayer. Retrieved April 16, 2015, from http://www.librarypoint.org/mercer_mayer
- This website shares a lot of biography information on Mercer Mayer.
LITTLE CRITTER Stories, Jokes, Puzzles and Games for Kids. (2013). Retrieved April 16, 2015, from http://www.littlecritter.com/index.html
- This website has a lot of great videos of some of the Little Critter books as well as activity ideas. It is also linked with a long list of the Litter Critter books and where to purchase them. There are coloring pages and links such as an email writing to Little Critter himself.
Mercer Mayer. (2015). Retrieved April 16, 2015, from http://www.harpercollins.com/cr-100745/mercer-mayer
- This website provides a list of additional books published by Mercer Mayer.
Mercer Mayer's Biography | Scholastic.com. (2015). Retrieved April 16, 2015, from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/mercer-mayer
- This website has a brief biography of Mercer Mayer as well as a list of many of his books.