Lessons from a Frog

I often write about books I am reading and those I have enjoyed.  I sometimes finish a book and ask the question why?  What was the purpose?  I not only want books I spend time with to entertain me, transport me or teach me,  I expect no less from the books I select to read in the classroom.  There are some wonderful children's books in bookstores and libraries.

This week it was all about the letter "Ff".  We talked about what "F" says and came up with a long list of words beginning with "F.  We painted, we traced, we wrote, we cut,  and we glued.  We painted frogs with eyes popping out of the top of their heads and legs going in every direction to climb our wall, and cut and glued a frog to hop home with us at the end of the day.

When story time rolled around I shared two of my favorite "frog" books.  These two books are not only beautifully illustrated, the bright colors drawing the eyes to the page,  the story has a rhythm allowing the children to participate in the story while delivering a message for children and adults alike.

  

Finklehopper Frog decides he wants to begin jogging.  He goes to the clothing store and buys the perfect jogging outfit and heads to the track.  On the way he runs into a dog and a cat who make fun of him and tease him about his clothes and the way he jogs.  Finklehopper is downhearted ready to give up until he meets Ruby Rabbit.  She encourages Finklehopper to continue by hopping along with him.  She explains we are all different.  Some of us are joggers and some are hoppers.  It is a wonderful lesson on being comfortable with who we are and with what we have.

In Finklehopper Frog Cheers, Finklehopper's friend Ruby Rabbit is preparing to run a marathon.  After sizing up the competition she is certain she will come in first until.....she spies the kangaroo.  She feels beat before the race begins.  Finklehopper encourages her to give it her best shot even when racing against a kangaroo.  She runs a noble race and comes in second.   By the end of the story Ruby learns it is not about winning, but participating, doing one's best and good sportsmanship.

Both books gave us wonderful examples of another important "Ff" word...the importance of being a good friend.  The children were eager to share other ways of being a good friend.

Spend a moment or two with a children's book,
read to a child
and have a wonderful weekend!