Mary Amato

Writing with Humor, Heart, & Grit

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Secret Extras for Good Crooks Fans

February 27, 2014 by Mary Amato 74 Comments


If you’re looking for Billy and Jillian’s songs and games you have come to the right place. Have fun singing and dancing and doing good deeds.

As a special treat during school closures, I’ll be releasing several audio chapters of Good Crooks Book Four: Quackily Ever After each week for free starting April 1st. You’ll be able to find the chapters here.

Books

Guitar Notes Good Crooks Book One: Missing Monkey! (Darby Creek, 2015) Billy and Jillian Crook have a big problem. Their parents are crooks, but they want to do good deeds–especially when a monkey needs to get back to the zoo!  Best for ages 7-10. A Book of the Month Club selection.
 Guitar Notes Good Crooks Book Two: Dog Gone! (Darby Creek, 2015) When their thieving parents kidnap a rich and famous TV dog, twins Billy and Jillian, tired of being crooks, try to return the dog to its rightful owner.
Sniff a Skunk CoverGood Crooks Book Three: Sniff a Skunk! (Darby Creek, 2015) Billy and Jillian discover a lonely little orphan skunk in need of help. Will they be able to rescue the skunk and keep their parents from pulling off the next heist? Will their new furry friend help by raising a stink?
Good Crooks Book Four: Quackily Ever After! (Hive Audio Project) In the grand finale, will Billy & Jillian prove that they were stolen and find their real parents? Listen here.

 

Songs

Stinky Style Song from Good Crooks Book 3: Sniff a Skunk. Play it here:

If you can’t see the media player, that means your computer is blocking it. Try going directly to Soundcloud: Stinky Style

The Dog Song from Good Crooks Book 2: Dog Gone!

If you can’t see the media player, try going directly to Soundcloud: The Dog Song

The Animal Friends Lullaby from Good Crooks Book 4: Quackily Ever After!

Mary Amato Projects · Animal Friends Lullaby With Animal Sounds
PDF of the lyrics and chords are free to download.
If you can’t see the media player, that means your computer is blocking it. Try going directly to Soundcloud: Animal Friends Lullaby.

Puppet Show

Put on your own puppet show with Billy, Jillian, Poochie, and the Squirrel!

Download these free stick puppets, cut them out, color them, tape a popsicle stick to the back of each puppet, and you’re ready to go.

GC Stick Puppets jpeg

If you want to make costumes for your stick puppets, get some ideas here.

Readers Theater

Print out this script and put on a Readers Theater show.

Write Your Good Deed

Print this activity to write down your own good deed.Good Deed Activity image

Pin the Tail on Stinky Game

Print out this picture of Stinkball without her tail. With the help of adults, cut out Stinkball and her tail. Use these cut-outs to play “Tape the Tail on the Skunky.” Directions of pages 116-118 of Good Crooks Book Three: Sniff a Skunk!

stinker-pinthetail-final

For Teachers & Librarians

See the Common Core teaching guides for Book One and Book Two.

SaveSave

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: common core teaching guide, Dog Gone, Good Crooks and Common Core, Good Crooks puppets, Good Crooks resources, Mary Amato, Missing Monkey

Comments

  1. Zella Ramirez says

    May 5, 2015 at 9:47 pm

    I love your songs for the Stinky Style and the Bake Sale for Dog Shelter Rap and please, please! very much make another book. No pressure but please! Do they find their parents and if you don’t want to tell me then write it in the next book. And will they get away from their crook parents? P.S. Please write back. Love, Zella, age 8

    Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      May 30, 2015 at 10:12 am

      I’m hoping my publisher will let me write book four! I have to get permission from them. Thanks for writing!

      Reply
      • Grandma Barb says

        February 20, 2017 at 6:58 am

        My grandson an I love the Good Crooks series. Can we hope #4 is coming soon?

        Reply
        • Mary Amato says

          April 4, 2017 at 9:19 am

          I’m hoping to release book four next year. Try my Riot Brother series and also my book Please Write in this Book.Happy reading!

          Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      January 11, 2018 at 7:27 am

      Fourth story coming in May as audio book!

      Reply
      • Dawn Uhles says

        May 8, 2018 at 10:57 am

        My class and I are eagerly awaiting the 4th book. Has it been released yet?

        Reply
        • Mary Amato says

          May 8, 2018 at 11:44 am

          Hi! I’m so happy you’re looking forward to Book IV. Not ready yet! I’ll let you know when it’s out.

          Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      April 1, 2020 at 10:48 am

      Book Four is here! Am releasing several chapter per week on audio. Please share! https://www.maryamato.com/good-crooks-book-four/

      Reply
  2. Rach Pamplin says

    October 12, 2015 at 4:33 pm

    I liked your book and song. The stinky style song was stinky and funny. It made me laugh. Do you write different books? Is it fun to write books? Is it easy to write books? Do you get ideas from other books to help you write your books? Please write back. Thank you. Rach Pamplin Age 7

    Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      November 27, 2015 at 6:10 am

      Hi Rach, it’s hard but rewarding to write books! It is so fun to get messages from readers.Thanks for writing.

      Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      April 1, 2020 at 10:48 am

      Book Four is here! Am releasing several chapter per week on audio. Please share! https://www.maryamato.com/good-crooks-book-four/

      Reply
  3. Scarlett says

    November 26, 2015 at 7:56 pm

    Hi Mary!

    My dad and I loved your book. I loved Stinkball. My dad thought a rocket powered wheelchair ride would be awesome.

    Looking forward to book 4.

    Love Scarlett, age 8

    Whomp. Whomp. Whomp.

    Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      November 27, 2015 at 6:12 am

      Hi Scarlett, I’m so happy you and your dad loved the Good Crooks. I had fun writing them. I want to write book 4 but I haven’t gotten the okay from my publisher yet. Keeping fingers crossed.

      Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      January 11, 2018 at 7:27 am

      Fourth story coming in May as audio book!

      Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      April 1, 2020 at 10:48 am

      Book Four is here! Am releasing several chapter per week on audio. Please share! https://www.maryamato.com/good-crooks-book-four/

      Reply
  4. Sarah Stirling says

    December 15, 2015 at 3:09 pm

    I love your books!

    Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      January 14, 2016 at 3:52 pm

      Hurray!

      Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      April 1, 2020 at 10:48 am

      Book Four is here! Am releasing several chapter per week on audio. Please share! https://www.maryamato.com/good-crooks-book-four/

      Reply
  5. Jen K says

    February 12, 2016 at 12:58 pm

    Just finished reading book 3 of the Good Crooks. Both my 4- and 7-year old boys have loved this series. They have a great amount of silliness and fun with fantastic events, and a love of good deeds makes it a parent pleaser as well. Can I write your publisher and ask them to let you write a 4th? We can’t wait to get our hands on it!

    Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      March 17, 2016 at 12:23 pm

      Fourth story coming in May as audio book!

      Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      January 11, 2018 at 7:28 am

      Fourth story coming in May as audio book!

      Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      April 1, 2020 at 10:48 am

      Book Four is here! Am releasing several chapter per week on audio. Please share! https://www.maryamato.com/good-crooks-book-four/

      Reply
  6. Second Grade says

    March 17, 2016 at 9:22 am

    Hi! We are second graders. We loved the book and the song! We want a book four!

    Blairsville, PA students

    Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      March 17, 2016 at 12:22 pm

      Fourth story coming in May as audio book!

      Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      April 1, 2020 at 10:47 am

      Book Four is here! Am releasing several chapter per week on audio. Please share! https://www.maryamato.com/good-crooks-book-four/

      Reply
  7. Isha says

    March 26, 2016 at 12:42 am

    NO BOOK FOUR?!! Oops. How rude of me. I am Isha, and I am 9. I have read your books and they are AMAZING. Are you going to stop the series right before they find out who their real parents are?? No way!
    Love, Isha.
    P.S. Please reply.

    Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      May 26, 2016 at 10:03 am

      I’m sad, too.

      Reply
      • Mary Amato says

        January 11, 2018 at 7:29 am

        Fourth story coming in May as audio book!

        Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      January 11, 2018 at 7:28 am

      Fourth story coming in May as audio book!

      Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      April 1, 2020 at 10:47 am

      Book Four is here! Am releasing several chapter per week on audio. Please share! https://www.maryamato.com/good-crooks-book-four/

      Reply
  8. Mason says

    May 6, 2016 at 7:11 pm

    I love the skunk song thanks

    Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      May 26, 2016 at 10:02 am

      YAY!

      Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      April 1, 2020 at 10:47 am

      Book Four is here! Am releasing several chapter per week on audio. Please share! https://www.maryamato.com/good-crooks-book-four/

      Reply
  9. Jen L. says

    May 26, 2016 at 9:32 am

    I am a fifth grade teacher. Your Good Crooks book series was just the ticket to get my struggling readers turned on to reading! It is hard to find lower level chapter books that fifth graders enjoy. These fit the bill! I am so sad to hear there won’t be a 4th book! My class will be HIGHLY disappointed!

    Thank you for the first three!

    Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      May 26, 2016 at 10:02 am

      I’m happy to hear that. I loved writing the series, and I’m always trying to hook those reluctant readers. My new book, Our Teacher is a Vampire, has lots of humor and interesting graphics to pull readers on the ride. Hope your students enjoy it, too.

      Reply
      • Mary Amato says

        January 11, 2018 at 7:30 am

        Fourth story coming in May as audio book!

        Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      April 1, 2020 at 10:47 am

      Book Four is here! Am releasing several chapter per week on audio. Please share! https://www.maryamato.com/good-crooks-book-four/

      Reply
  10. Suri A says

    September 9, 2016 at 10:12 pm

    I am third grade student, and I am gonig to do story telling performonce of “Dog Gone.” Any suggestion? I will sing “Bake Sale for Dog Shelter Rap” becuase I love it. wish me luck!

    Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      September 30, 2016 at 5:18 am

      Hi, I’m sorry it has taken me so long to see this. I moved and haven’t had a chance to check my messages. I’m so excited that you did a story telling performance. How did it go? I wish I could hear you sing the rap!!!!

      Reply
      • Suri A says

        October 21, 2016 at 10:25 pm

        I did great! I won 4th place in storytelling!!! The rap was so much fun to do in each round.
        I think Good Crooks Dog Gone! is a great funny book. I may get another invotation for same story telling performance next month again. Wish me luck again!

        Reply
        • Mary Amato says

          October 23, 2016 at 6:51 pm

          Fantastic! I’m so excited for you. Getting up in front of people and performing takes a lot of courage and is a wonderful learning experience. Good luck again!

          Reply
          • Suri Almasi says

            March 25, 2017 at 9:18 pm

            I have a great news, I won the first place in storytelling on Good Crooks Dog Gone!
            Thank you for the wonderful and funny story!!!

          • Mary Amato says

            April 4, 2017 at 9:18 am

            Hurray! Congratulations. Happy storytelling!

      • Laura Garcia says

        October 22, 2016 at 2:28 pm

        Dear Ms. Amato,

        During a recent parent conference I learned that you had replied to an email from my third grade student, thank you for being such an inspiration.

        Reply
        • Mary Amato says

          October 23, 2016 at 6:55 pm

          Thanks for your work helping students. I’ve replied to your question via your direct email address. Cheers!

          Reply
        • Mary Amato says

          April 1, 2020 at 10:46 am

          Book Four is here! Am releasing several chapter per week on audio. Please share! https://www.maryamato.com/good-crooks-book-four/

          Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      April 1, 2020 at 10:46 am

      Book Four is here! Am releasing several chapter per week on audio. Please share! https://www.maryamato.com/good-crooks-book-four/

      Reply
  11. Michah Martin says

    September 29, 2016 at 6:28 pm

    Hi Mary Amato, how are you doing? Please do a book four and we know they won’t let you do a book four but please get them concerned to and I love your songs and books but I haven’t got to do book two yet. I wil tell you when I get it and I’ll love it. I’m seven years old.

    From Michah

    Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      September 30, 2016 at 5:13 am

      I’m so glad you love the Good Crooks and love the songs. I’m writing a new series that will have songs in them, too. That’s the good news. The bad news is that the series will come out in Fall 2017!!!!! I’m CONSIDERING producing a fourth Good Crooks book as an audio book on my own…would you listen to that?

      Reply
  12. Michah Martin says

    September 30, 2016 at 4:19 pm

    This is Michah. Thanks for asking and of course, I will listen to another Good Crooks book and the songs that you make. I will hope you make a fifth and sixth and seventh book. I hope you have a Good day.

    Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      January 11, 2018 at 7:30 am

      Fourth story coming in May as audio book!

      Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      April 1, 2020 at 10:46 am

      Book Four is here! Am releasing several chapter per week on audio. Please share! https://www.maryamato.com/good-crooks-book-four/

      Reply
  13. Regina Haecker says

    January 5, 2017 at 4:12 pm

    Please write book 4! And 5 and 6! We loved all 3 books there has to be more!! We would read them all!

    Love, Keith (9), and Ian (5)

    Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      January 5, 2017 at 5:59 pm

      Thanks, guys! I would love to continue the adventure.

      Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      April 1, 2020 at 10:45 am

      Book Four is here! Am releasing several chapter per week on audio. Please share! https://www.maryamato.com/good-crooks-book-four/

      Reply
  14. Brittany Dunlap says

    February 9, 2017 at 6:56 pm

    I’ve been reading the Good Crooks series to my boys at bedtime and we just finished. Please please please find a way to tell us if Jillian and Billy find their parents! We would listen to an audiobook, or purchase an eBook, whatever. We just need to know!

    Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      February 13, 2017 at 1:58 pm

      Thanks! I love that you are reading at bedtime. That is the best ritual in the world. I will keep you posted on the fate of Book Four and Billy and Jillian.

      Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      April 1, 2020 at 10:45 am

      Book Four is here! Am releasing several chapter per week on audio. Please share! https://www.maryamato.com/good-crooks-book-four/

      Reply
  15. Elizabeth Bradley says

    November 14, 2018 at 5:06 pm

    Hi! My mom and I love reading your books together and are super excited for book 4. I saw you said it would be an audiobook in May but we can’t find it. Is there a way to get it? We’re dying to know how it all ends!

    Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      November 15, 2018 at 12:50 pm

      The audio book was delayed. I’m hoping it will be out in February! I know that’s a long time to wait!

      Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      April 1, 2020 at 10:45 am

      Book Four is here! Am releasing several chapter per week on audio. Please share! https://www.maryamato.com/good-crooks-book-four/

      Reply
  16. Leona says

    February 23, 2019 at 1:50 am

    Hi Mary
    I love the story book dog gone.
    In which book will I come to know who are Jillian and Billy’s parents?

    Love
    Leona
    7 yrs old
    India, Qatar

    Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      March 6, 2019 at 2:02 pm

      I am hoping to release the fourth and final book this summer.

      Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      April 1, 2020 at 10:45 am

      Book Four is here! Am releasing several chapter per week on audio. Please share! https://www.maryamato.com/good-crooks-book-four/

      Reply
  17. Melissa says

    August 25, 2019 at 9:38 am

    My son (and I) absolutely loved your first three Good Crooks books!!! We just zipped through the last two in a few days because my son didn’t want to stop reading them! This is the first time he’s actually ASKED to read and did NOT want to stop! This is a BIG deal and made my heart so happy!! Thank you for sharing your gift of writing with us! Did book four finally come out? I can’t seem to find it at my library or online. We can’t wait to read more and find out if the twins find the Deeds!

    Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      August 25, 2019 at 4:28 pm

      Thanks so much for these words of encouragement for me! I’m so happy your son was hungry to read more. I’m stilllllllllll working on trying to release the audio of book 4. Fingers crossed. In the meantime, try my Riot Brothers and my Please Write in this Book. Happy reading!

      Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      April 1, 2020 at 10:45 am

      Book Four is here! Am releasing several chapter per week on audio. Please share! https://www.maryamato.com/good-crooks-book-four/

      Reply
      • Melissa says

        April 27, 2020 at 9:21 pm

        My son asked me last night if book 4 ever came out & we were thrilled to discover that you have been posting the chapters!!! Between last night and tonight, we have finished listening to all of the chapters you have posted so far. My son was enjoying the story so much that he didn’t want to stop listening to it last night and was anxiously awaiting bedtime story time all day today. Thank you for sharing your story with all of us! We can’t wait to find out what happens next!

        Reply
        • Mary Amato says

          April 28, 2020 at 8:23 am

          Will be releasing three more chapters by tomorrow.Thanks so much for writing! Knowing that your son and other kids are out there waiting helps to keep me going!

          Reply
  18. Dawn Uhles says

    September 18, 2019 at 3:20 pm

    Hello, I have read the first three books in the Good Crooks series to each of my first grades classes these past few years. We love the characters and are eagerly awaiting the unveiling of Jillian and Billy’s real parents. Any update for us on the fourth book?
    Thank you

    Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      November 20, 2019 at 2:34 pm

      Thanks! I love those first graders. They are so ready to enjoy learning.

      Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      April 1, 2020 at 10:44 am

      Book Four is here! Am releasing several chapter per week on audio. Please share! https://www.maryamato.com/good-crooks-book-four/

      Reply
  19. Kathy Burcham says

    September 9, 2020 at 4:42 pm

    My grandson (now 6) and I have loved the Good Crooks series. We received the first book from our library reading club, and I bought him books 2 & 3 for his birthday. We just discovered there’s an audio book #4 when looking up the funny songs. Can’t wait to listen. He totally loves these books and laughs out loud at the gross and silly parts. Thank you, and write more books, please!

    Reply
    • Mary Amato says

      September 9, 2020 at 9:02 pm

      Oh joy! Hearing that my books are a hit with young readers make me so happy. Your grandson would probably love my Riot Brother books when he is done with Billy & Jillian’s adventures.

      Reply

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Humor and Heart

I give voice to the funny, sad, messy, and wondrous stories of life, especially the stories of children and young adults. My mission: each book has humor and heart. If you are a teen and/or you're looking for info about my books and music for older readers, please check out my www.thrumsociety.com site.
Learn more about my mission and resources.

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