Feelings

 Title: "Feelings"

Picture of the cover: 

Author: Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, and Zanele Buthelezi 

Illustrator: Kathy Arbuckle 

Year: Not available 

Publisher: African Storybook Initiative

Place: Africa 

Grade Level(s): kindergarten to 2nd grade 

Genre: Picture Book

Brief Biography: Clare Verbeek is a passionate writer who has dedicated her career to creating children's literature that promotes emotional intelligence and well-being. Thembani Dladla is an accomplished author who recognizes the significance of emotional development in children. Zanele Buthelezi is a talented author passionate about helping children develop emotional awareness and empathy. 

Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, and Zanele Buthelezi have collaborated to create "Feelings," a heartwarming picture book that encourages children to explore and understand their complex emotions.

Synopsis: "Feelings" is a heartwarming picture book that introduces young readers to the diverse range of emotions we experience. The book explores various feelings through colourful illustrations and simple language and teaches children to recognize and express them. From happiness and sadness to excitement and fear, each emotion is beautifully depicted, making it easy for children to connect and relate to their own feelings.

Pre-reading:

1. Encourage children to observe the cover illustration and discuss what emotions they perceive and predict what the book might be about.
2. Ask open-ended questions about emotions, inviting children to share their experiences and thoughts on different feelings.

During Reading:

1. Page 1: Ask children to look at the cover illustration and discuss the emotions they see depicted. Prompt them to share their feelings recently or if they have ever experienced similar situations.
2. Page 2: Encourage children to identify and name the emotions represented by the different facial expressions on the page. Ask them if they have ever felt those emotions and what might have caused them.
3. Page 3: Have children point out the different situations on the page and discuss how each character might feel. Ask them if they have ever felt similar emotions in those situations.
4. Page 4: Explore the emotions shown in the illustrations and ask children if they can relate to feeling happy, sad, or scared. Prompt them to share when they have experienced those emotions and how they expressed or coped with them.
5. Page 5: Discuss the importance of talking about feelings with someone we trust, just like the characters in the book. Ask children if they have someone they feel comfortable talking to about their own feelings.
6. Page 6: Reflect on the overall message of the book. Ask children what they have learned about emotions and how they can apply that knowledge in their own lives. Encourage them to share any personal connections they have made to the book.
7. 
   

Post-reading:

1. Provide art materials and ask children to create their own illustrations or drawings representing different emotions.
2. Encourage children to share personal experiences with different emotions and discuss.

Reflection:

"Feelings: Embracing Emotions with Ammu" is a powerful picture book that helps children identify and understand their emotions and encourages healthy expression and empathy. By incorporating pre-reading discussions, engaging during reading, and facilitating post-reading activities and reflections, parents and educators can empower children to develop emotional intelligence and foster a supportive environment for emotional growth.

Reference:

https://storyweaver.org.in/stories/15040-feelings

Too Big! Too Small!

 Title: Too Big! Too Small!

Picture of the cover - 

Author: Lavanya Karthik

Illustrator: Lavanya Karthik

Year: 2017

Publisher: Pratham Books

Place: India

Grade Level(s): Kindergarten-2nd grade

Genre: Picture Book

Brief Biography: Lavanya Karthik is a writer, illustrator, and filmmaker based in Bangalore, India. She has written and illustrated several children's books, including "Too Big! Too Small!" and "The Lion Who Wanted to Sing". She has also been a creative director for a children's magazine and produced short films.

Synopsis: "Too Big! Too Small!" is a charming children's book about a little girl named Shanu who is caught between being too big for her mother to carry and too small to go to school alone. The book explores the themes of growing up, independence, and the love between a mother and child. With colourful illustrations and simple text, this book is perfect for young readers who are just starting to explore the world around them.

Pre-reading:

• Ask students to predict what the book might be about based on the title and cover illustration.
• Have a class discussion about what it means to be too big or too small and whether they have ever felt that way.

During reading :

• Pause at page 4 and ask students if they have ever felt too big for someone to carry or too small to do something on their own.
• Stop at page 7 and ask students to predict what might happen next in the story.
• On page 9, have students discuss why Shanu is feeling sad and whether they have ever felt the same way.
• Pause on page 14 and ask students to predict how the story will end.

Post-reading:

• Have students write about a time when they felt too big or too small and how they overcame that feeling.
• Ask students to draw a picture of themselves feeling just right and write a sentence or two about what makes them feel that way.
• Please encourage students to think of a different ending for the story and write or draw it out.
• Have students discuss the book's message and what they learned from it.

Reflection: 

After reading "Too Big! Too Small!" by Lavanya Karthik, I was impressed with how the author tackled the complex emotions of a child caught between being too big for some things and too small for others. The story of Shanu, the young girl in the book, will resonate with many children in similar situations. The colourful illustrations also perfectly capture the innocence and wonder of childhood.

As for reading strategies, I would recommend that teachers use this book as an opportunity to teach their students about the concept of growing up and the different stages of childhood. Before reading, students can discuss their own experiences of feeling too big or too small for certain things. During reading, teachers can pause to ask questions about the story and the characters' feelings. After reading, students can reflect on what they learned and how they can relate to Shanu's experiences.

Overall, "Too Big! Too Small!" is a delightful and thought-provoking book that can be used in the classroom to teach children about emotional intelligence and self-awareness.

References:

https://storyweaver.org.in/stories/16411-too-big-too-small

Rani's First Day at School

 Title - Rani's First Day at School

Picture of the cover - 

Written by - Cheryl Rao

Illustrated by -  Mayur Mistry

Year, Publisher, place - 2018, Pratham Books, India

Grade level(s) - 1st-2nd

Genre - Picture Book

Theme - Feelings and Emotions 

Author name and brief biography: Chatura Rao is a writer and a journalist. She has written books for children and adults and has been a columnist and a writer for many magazines and newspapers. She has won several awards for her writing, including the Children's Book Trust award and the Lavanya Sankaran Writing Fellowship.

Synopsis: Rani is excited to go to school for the first time, but she is also nervous. She is worried about making friends and fitting in. As she goes through her day at school, she learns that everyone has their own fears and insecurities and that it is okay to ask for help when you need it.

 

Pre-reading strategies:

• Show the cover of the book and ask students to make predictions about what the story might be about.
• Ask students if they have ever been to school before and what their first day was like.
• Introduce any new vocabulary words that may be in the story, such as "uniform" or "classroom."
• Show the students a picture of a classroom and ask them to identify different things they see.

During reading strategies:

• Ask the students to identify different emotions that Rani feels throughout the story.
• Pause periodically and ask students questions to check for understanding, such as "What do you think Rani is feeling right now?" or "Why do you think the other children are laughing?"
• Encourage students to make connections between the story and their own experiences, such as "Have you ever felt nervous like Rani?" or "Have you ever made a new friend on the first day of school?"
• Ask students to predict what might happen next in the story.

Post-reading strategies:

• Ask the students to draw a picture of their own first day of school and share it with the class.
• Have a class discussion about the different emotions that people feel when they start something new.
• Ask the students to write a letter to Rani giving her advice on making friends and feeling more comfortable at school.
• Ask students to summarize the story in their own words.
• Have students discuss how they felt during the different parts of the story, such as when Rani was nervous or when she made a new friend.
• Have students draw a picture h about their own first day of school.

Reflection: 

 'Rani's First Day at School' is a heartwarming story that helps children understand the different emotions that come with starting something new, especially going to school for the first time. As an educator, I appreciate how the story touches on the importance of asking for help when needed and how everyone has their own fears and insecurities. The illustrations in the book are bright and engaging, and the language used is simple and accessible for young readers. Overall, this book would be a great addition to any classroom library and a helpful tool for teachers to help their students adjust to new situations.