Viva Frank Viva

While traveling on the F train, I spotted a very familiar piece of art inside my subway car and was thrilled when I noted that the work was signed by Frank Viva.  (See photo below). 
Who knew that I would be traveling on this particular subway with some of Viva's fantastic work?
Who knew that I would be enroute to school, preparing to share Outstanding in the Rain, his latest picture book,  with students?  
Art makes magical moments in ways that I never would have dreamed could happen.

Outstanding in the Rain by Frank Viva

I introduced this book by showing my phone photo of Frank Viva subway art.  Next I introduced the word "oronym".  The children's interest was piqued when I displayed the book cover. They couldn't wait to get started and were bouncing with excitement as I read aloud Outstanding in the Rain, There were frequent requests to stop so that they could pay attention to details, figure out the oronyms, and discuss what was happening.  There were many page turns back and forth. When we completed the story, there was an immediate request to "Read it again".  Of course we did. They delighted in making new discoveries, talking about their experiences with train travel, and finding art in the community. They began to try and create simple homophone word games. Teachers were equally engaged with this captivating book which can be enjoyed by a wide variety of students.

We noticed the train here...

I saw an umbrella here...

...becomes a mouth with teeth on the next page.

...that becomes a birthday cake on the next page.