I hope everyone enjoyed our StoryWalk® for “When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree.” If you haven't had the chance to take a walk and read along with your family, it will be up for a few more days on the playground. We loved seeing our students read along and talk about it with their classmates during snack and recess. Special thanks to the PTA for sponsoring the signs and to the students who helped us take care of them throughout the month. Mrs. Saline, our Math Specialist, and I hope to create some more pop-up events in the future throughout the community.

From the Publisher: Follow along with lovable forest creatures as they discover what a self is and what makes each of us unique. Your self is the only self you have, and my self is not your self . . . but what is a self? Whatever it is, it’s what makes you you! This joyously affirming picture book from the inimitable Esmé Shapiro encourages the youngest readers to get to know and love and be kind to their wonderful selves and the equally wonderful selves around them.

From Mrs. Linnehan: I love the language in this story and Esmé Shapiro's thoughtful choice to separate the word self out from myself and yourself. When I was reading it with my son, we talked about how each of us has a "self" and the things that we like about our selves and the selves around us at home and at school. We also shared why it's important for everyone to be their own selves and how we can be kind to everyone's self.

• Self likes the sprout on its head. What is something you like about your self?
• What does the self do to be kind to itself? What do you like to do to be kind to your self?
• Why is it important for everyone to have their own self?
• Who are other selves around you at home and at school? How can you be kind to them?

• What would your self look like as a forest creature? What type of forest would your self live in: a tropical forest, a deciduous forest, an alpine forest? Draw your self in your forest.
• Make a map of your self. Draw your self in the middle and word bubbles or pictures around your self to show what makes you YOU!
• What is something you can do to be kind to your self? Take time to do it today!
• This book is also about recognizing other selves for being wonderful. Tell someone at home what makes them wonderful!

If you have any questions, concerns, ideas to share- please reach out!

Email: klinnehan@haddonfield.k12.nj.us
Website: https://sites.google.com/haddonfield.k12.nj.us/mrs-linnehans-website/home
Phone:
Twitter: @LinnehanReads