What happens when three friends hear a mysterious voice coming from a well? An unpredictable story about communication, miscommunication and friendship.

Three companions out for a walk hear a mysterious voice coming from the bottom of a well. But they can’t understand what the voice is saying! What if it’s a cry for help? They decide to investigate, and send Pip, the smallest of their party, down into the well.

Descending to the depths of the well in a bucket, Pip feels curious and nervous, too. Who and what will Pip find at the bottom of the well? How does Pip know that it will be okay to venture into the dark and unknown? Is it the singing or the disco ball that gives it away?

Find out in Ell-way, a story about communication and miscommunication, flying under the radar and into radars, and about doing and being the right thing. The story also introduces the silly fun of Pig Latin — an Easter egg for adult readers who can share their knowledge of the language with a new generation.

Key Text Features

dialogue

illustrations

song lyrics

speech bubbles

translations

vignettes

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.3

With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2

Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3

Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.