Room for one more story.A FUNNY, GENTLY SPOOKY PICTURE BOOK · AGES 5–7
Penelope is six and three-quarters. She and her little brother Scott have a theory about Dad. A very hairy theory.
The hairy feet. The howling. The way he attacks a plate of ribs. The evidence is piling up, and the children have an excellent plan to catch him—with one mischievous dog named Molly in the middle of it all. What could possibly go wrong?
Coming soon · Get publication news
LOOK CLOSER
Penelope has a guidebook. Scott has questions. Every picture gives little detectives something else to notice.
Read it with whispers, dramatic pauses and your best suspicious voice. Give children time to study the pictures and decide for themselves: is Dad really a werewolf?
FREE FAMILY BONUSES
What if Dad really were a werewolf? Give this friendly fellow a colorful shirt, some very scruffy shorts and your own ideas about fur.
Print him. Color him. Come back for a fresh copy whenever you like. The colors are your call. The mug stays.
Download your free coloring page1-page PDF · Free · No email needed
Print on US Letter, or choose “Fit” for A4.
An imagined extra to color, not a new ending to the story. For children who prefer an activity without monsters, try a little case below.
MAKE IT OFFICIAL
You looked closely. You asked good questions. Now say the oath and write in your detective name.
Download your free certificate1-page PDF · Free · No email needed
Print on US Letter in landscape, or choose “Fit” for A4.
DRAW, POINT OR TELL · ABOUT 5 MINUTES
Notice something ordinary. Make a guess. Think of another explanation. A grown-up can write down the detective’s words.
Get the case file + grown-up guide ↓2-page PDF · Print page 2 for the child’s sheet
NO PRINTER · ABOUT 3 MINUTES
With a grown-up, choose a safe everyday object—a spoon, a sock or a leaf. What do you notice? What else could it be in a pretend story?
Take turns being the detective. No special supplies needed.
NO PRINTER · ABOUT 2 MINUTES
Try “Suspicious... VERY suspicious.” in a whisper, a thoughtful voice and a silly voice. Quiet voices count, and listening is joining in too.
More easy read-aloud ideas →WORDS WORTH TRYING
Good words are part of the fun. C. J. McGuire Books welcomes rich, expressive language—even when a young reader needs to ask what a word means. Enjoy the story first, then give a new word an adventure of its own.
Here are 12 words from My Dad the Werewolf, with simple meanings and new examples to try beyond the story. Pick one or two. Say them, act them, draw them or make up a sentence together.
Download the Word Explorer2-page PDF · Free · No signup · Read together
Also in the educator pack and activity sheets.
An old story passed down over time. It might be true... or not.
Try it: The legend told of a giant who slept under the hill.
Your turn: Imagine the title of a legend about your neighborhood.
Strange. Odd. Not the way things usually are.
Try it: A purple carrot would be a peculiar bookmark.
Your turn: Invent another peculiar bookmark.
Making you feel worried. Time to investigate!
Try it: The drip from the ceiling was troubling.
Your turn: Who could you tell about a troubling drip?
To chew again and again. Like Dad with ribs.
Try it: The puppy likes to gnaw on her chew toy.
Your turn: Pretend to gnaw a crunchy carrot. What might a rabbit gnaw?
Making you think something might be wrong. Hmm...
Try it: I was suspicious when the empty biscuit tin rattled.
Your turn: What else could be making that rattle?
Losing hair or fur. Dogs do it. Dads too?
Try it: Our dog was shedding, so we brushed out the loose fur.
Your turn: What might you notice when a pet is shedding?
Having the skills or knowledge needed to do something. Plunger training? Check.
Try it: A trained swimming teacher is qualified to teach swimming.
Your turn: What would help someone become qualified for a job?
Things you give up for something important. Even chocolate syrup.
Try it: Sharing the last biscuit was one of our picnic sacrifices.
Your turn: What could you give up to help a friend?
Said that something was wrong or unfair. “But our ice cream!”
Try it: "But it is my turn!" I protested.
Your turn: Try a pretend protest in a firm, quiet voice.
Not sure what’s going on.
Try it: I was puzzled when my sock turned up in the toy box.
Your turn: Show a puzzled face. What might puzzle you?
Wiggling and twisting, like something caught in a net.
Try it: The puppy was squirming while I tried to dry her paws.
Your turn: Show squirming with just your fingers.
Asked firmly and expected an answer or action. Right NOW!
Try it: "Who moved my crown?" the pretend queen demanded.
Your turn: Try the line as a question, then as a demand.
Try your favorite word again tomorrow. A question, a joke or an everyday conversation is a fine place to start.
FOR TEACHERS & LIBRARIANS
Read, notice, wonder—and let the children make their case. Start with the free Werewolf companion, or choose an activity that works without the book.
Free downloads need no email or purchase. Zoom workshops are subject to availability.
Coming soon. Join the book-news list below for publication updates.
For a professional review inquiry, contact C. J..
FOR THE GROWN-UPS
Occasional notes from C. J. about the books and publication updates. For parents, teachers and other grown-ups.
FOR YOUR LITTLE DETECTIVES
Explore the notebook, stickers and storytime designs inspired by My Dad the Werewolf.
Explore the Werewolf collectionMade to order · Books sold separately
