Peach dangles on a tree limb above the pond. She is ripe, juicy, and ready for picking; her days are coming to an end. Below, a blue-bellied toad is startled by the tear drops that fall like rain from the tree above. How will these two unlikeliest of friends help one another see the world in a whole new way?
This beautiful picture book written by Sarah Kilborne and illustrated by Steve Johnson leads to a thoughtful and insightful discussion about strengths and challenges. Blue uses his ability to problem solve to help Peach down from the tree, build her a floating nest of leaves, and help her see a world she has never seen before. Peach, in turn, uses her gift with words and her ability to appreciate true beauty to help Blue "see" his world in a new light. We have to "think outside of the box" to understand how Blue becomes Peach's "legs" and Peach becomes Blue's "eyes." Each character uses their strengths to help the other with their challenges.
Through discussion and an invigorating movement activity, we realize that we all have strengths and challenges. We raise our right hands and promise to use our strengths to help others with their challenges and allow others to do the same for us.
Strengths and challenges come in many different forms not just the traditional "school
smarts." While some of us struggle with reading, writing, or math, others find it difficult to make friends, take risks, or see someone else's point of view. The list of strengths and challenges goes on and on. By appreciating our own strengths and recognizing our own challenges, we can begin to connect and empathize with others. We can also begin the important work of setting individual goals and making explicit plans for improvement.
Let the learning begin!
This beautiful picture book written by Sarah Kilborne and illustrated by Steve Johnson leads to a thoughtful and insightful discussion about strengths and challenges. Blue uses his ability to problem solve to help Peach down from the tree, build her a floating nest of leaves, and help her see a world she has never seen before. Peach, in turn, uses her gift with words and her ability to appreciate true beauty to help Blue "see" his world in a new light. We have to "think outside of the box" to understand how Blue becomes Peach's "legs" and Peach becomes Blue's "eyes." Each character uses their strengths to help the other with their challenges.
Through discussion and an invigorating movement activity, we realize that we all have strengths and challenges. We raise our right hands and promise to use our strengths to help others with their challenges and allow others to do the same for us.
Strengths and challenges come in many different forms not just the traditional "school
smarts." While some of us struggle with reading, writing, or math, others find it difficult to make friends, take risks, or see someone else's point of view. The list of strengths and challenges goes on and on. By appreciating our own strengths and recognizing our own challenges, we can begin to connect and empathize with others. We can also begin the important work of setting individual goals and making explicit plans for improvement.
Let the learning begin!