Ella and Penguin Stick Together
Ella has a surprise for her friend Penguin— glow-in-the-dark stickers! After deciding that the closet is too dark and a little scary for looking at the stickers, they try everything from the bathtub with the shower curtain closed to getting under umbrellas, but none of their ideas work. Finally, the closet appears to be the only dark place, so Ella and Penguin work up their courage and enter it with their eyes closed, holding hands. Penguin keeps his eyes closed saying, “Too bad. The stickers are broken.” But Ella tells Penguin to open his eyes, and he is delighted to see the glowing lights. Ella and Penguin discover they like the dark with the glowing stickers and think of all kinds of fun ways to play with them. They realize that a good friend is all you need to be brave and try something new.
Pennsylvania Center for the Book Awards
Book Activities & Discussion Ideas
Read the title of the book. Say to the children, “As you are listening to this story, think about the ways that Ella and Penguin stick together.” Read the story aloud. At the end of the story, ask the question again, “In what ways did Ella and Penguin stick together?” As they share their ideas, page to the picture/s that express what they are saying. Additional questions might include: Which character seemed to be the most scared of the dark? Which one of these characters seemed to have more courage? Who helps you to be brave? What kind of things are you afraid of? If possible, provide the children with glow-in-the dark stickers to experience the fun portrayed in the book. Invite children to use the stickers in a drawing and share.
Ella and Penguin are afraid of the dark. Parents can share their children’s fears and how they help children cope with their fears. After reading the story to their child, parents can talk to their child about his/her fears and ask their child what helps him/her be brave. The adult can also share a story of their own fear and how they overcame it.