Activity time: 5 minutes

Materials for Activity

• Story book

Preparation for Activity

• Choose a story from the following suggestions:

  • Badger's Parting Gifts by Susan Varley, 1992. Badger's friends are sad when he dies, but they treasure the legacies he left them.
  • The Dead Bird by Margaret Wise Brown, 1958. Children offer a goodbye to a dead bird they find in the woods.
  • The Tenth Good Thing About Barney by Judith Viorst, 1987. Trying to overcome his grief, a boy tries to think of the 10 best things about his dead cat.
  • My Grandson Lew by Charlotte Zolotow, 1974. Lewis and his mother remember Grandpa, who used to come in at night when Lewis called.
  • A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka, 2011. Any child who has ever had a beloved toy break will relate to Daisy's anguish when her favorite ball is destroyed by a bigger dog.
• Review How to Read a Story Book, under Resources in the Introduction.
• Stories about death may trigger deep feelings among the children. Be prepared to respond to any thoughts or worries the children share by acknowledging their feelings, showing your sympathy, and supporting their caring behavior.

Description of Activity

Hold up the book and say, in these words or your own:

Here's how I am going to read the story. Does anyone need to move so they can see and hear?

This will help children move if they need to and then get settled before the story is started, so they don't interrupt the reading. It also serves as a reminder that if they stand or sit right in front of the pages, no one else can see. Invite them to find a place to settle so that everyone can see. When all are ready, read the story. When you finish reading, ask if anyone has thoughts about the story that they would like to share.

Including All Participants

Seat a child with hearing or sight difficulties near the reader.