• Story book

• Choose a story from the following suggestions:
  • "The Flower Ceremony, A Plain and Simple Beauty," adapted from a story by Janeen K. Grohsmeyer in her book Lamp in Every Corner: Our UU Storybook (Boston: Unitarian Universalist Association, 2004). This story can be found in Love Surrounds Us, a Tapestry of Faith curriculum for grades K/1.
  • Ava's Poppy by Marcus Pfister, 2012. Ava is delighted when she discovers a brilliant red poppy in the middle of her yard.
  • Search through the UUA's Tapestry of Faith free, online curricula. You can search by keyword (e.g., flower ceremony), age group (e.g., children), and resource type (e.g., story). If you find a story you wish to use, cut out pictures from magazines to accompany the story or draw simple pictures as you tell the story. Note: Most Tapestry stories are more appropriate for older children than for preschoolers; expect to adapt a story for your group.
• Review How to Read a Storybook, under Resources in the Introduction.

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.

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