Kindergartners visiting the library this week made connections to each other and their books.
The point of departure for our activities today was our observation that all books have similarities (titles, authors, cover pages, spine) and differences (sizes, story content, likeability). In a parallel fashion, people also contain similarities and differences. We noticed this as we read our first book, Patti Stren’s charming story, Hug Me, about a porcupine who years for a hug. After unsatisftying years of hugging inanimate objects (telephone poles, traffic lights…oy vey), Elliot sets out to the woods only to meet another lonely porcupine, the homely Thelma Claypits. The two realize that although they are different in their experiences as porcupines, they both need a hug and can give each other comfort. Next, we shared We Are All Alike…We Are All Different, a book written and illustrated by the Cheltenham Elementary School Kindergarten. Student drawings and texts illustrated for us the connections we have with each other and how our differences make the world more interesting. Scaffolding upon this idea, we crafted our own book with individual drawings and observations on our similarities and differences. Copies of this book went home with the students to share with their families.