A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two different things. The simile is usually in a phrase that begins with "as" or "like." This is different from a metaphor, which is a comparison that says something is something else.
Discuss Andy Stanton’s use of similes. What do you notice? What effect does this have on the reader?
Book 2 – (Page 81) ‘in they crept, like bad dreams in to a postman’s head’ (Page 115) ‘it smelt like a zoo had married a gigantic great fart!’ (Page 136) ‘the glorious beast had erupted from the waters like a furry referee’.
Task: Listen for similes that you may hear over the next chapters and right them down.
Can you think of your own silly similes to describe- Mr Gum, Lamonic Bibber, Billy William the Third, Polly, Friday O'Leary or any other character?
ONOMATO- (sounds like TOMATO) P-o-e-i-a!
As a class, discuss the meaning of ‘Onomatopoeia’. Discuss its use as a written sound effect. Have they seen this before? Where?
In groups, brainstorm as many words that can be used as sound effects.
Look at Book 1- ‘You’re a Bad Man Mr Gum’ (Page 24-25), Book 2-‘Mr Gum and the Biscuit Billionaire’ (P106, P139) and Book 3- ‘Mr Gum and the Goblins’ (111, 120, 121, 141, 165). Discuss the onomatopoeia that Andy Stanton has used. Discuss why the author has used this in the text, how effective it is and how that made up words can be just as effective.
Read the scenes in the pages above and think of other words-either real or nonsense words that would be just as effective.
Next, choose a favourite scene from one of the 3 books. Illustrate the scene like one from a comic. Add in written sound effects, either real or made up. You can also add in some speech bubbles, or thought bubbles too!
Optional Extra: Take a word from your brainstormed list at the beginning of Activity 4. Can you create ‘word art’ with this word? Eg: MOO, but writing the word and illustrating it with black and white cow patches, horns, udders and a tail. Eg: TICK TOCK- In the words, drawing a clock and hands etc. Eg: BANG!- Making it in to a bomb with sparks etc.