Chopsticks
In this charming companion book to Spoon (2010), Chopsticks are best friends. They go everywhere and do everything together. While learning new tricks, the tip of Chopstick’s leg is snapped apart. He is “whisked away,” glued, and bandaged back together, but he must stay off of it while it sets. Through the recuperation period, the two chopsticks learn lessons about friendship and that being apart can make their friendship even stronger.
Pennsylvania Center for the Book Awards
Book Activities & Discussion Ideas
Provide children with a variety of plastic kitchen utensils and googly eyes to create puppet performances that will help them retell the story and give them the opportunity to create their own friendship stories.
The Chopsticks learn that a variety of activities can be fun on their own as well as together. This story's theme lends itself to a parent discussion of how to encourage children to play productively alone. Talk about the kinds of activities, places, and situations that lend themselves to solitary play. Remind parents of the value of independent play.