A Year of Everyday Wonders
A young girl experiences a year of everyday wonders with her family and friends. Everything from wonderful firsts such as the first snowfall, first valentine to first beach trip to firsts that aren’t as much fun such as a first cold, first missed bus, and first sunburn. Readers will have fun tracing the little girl’s relationship throughout the year with her brother that also includes ups and downs, highs and lows. The illustrations are a treat for family members of all ages.
Pennsylvania Center for the Book Awards
Book Activities & Discussion Ideas
Before reading the story, show and point out to children a year-long calendar, a month from the calendar, a week from the calendar and a day from the calendar. Explain that in the story, you are going to see what a little girl experiences as she goes through the months of a year. After reading the story, children may want to map out the events that they do every day. First, wake up. Second, put on your clothes. Third, put your pajamas away. Fourth, eat breakfast. This story provides an opportunity to explore ordinal numbers with children. Ordinal numbers describe an object or things’ position in a series. Such as first, second, third, and so on. Ask children to line objects up in a row, you can use stuffed animals, toys or any other objects that are readily available. As a group, describe the order of the objects, first is the red car, second is the blue car, third is the yellow car and so on.
Family Stories are some of the best stories. Share with families’ ways to keep track of firsts (such as first words, first teeth, first steps, first hike, first picnic, etc.) by making a family calendar from construction paper and other paper products. What are some firsts that might happen to your child? Examples include: First time to ride a bicycle, first time teeth fall out, first to ride a school bus, first time to eat new foods or beverages, first snow day, first day to make a snowman and so on. Explain that sharing and resharing stories are powerful.