Almost Zero: A Dyamonde Daniel Book
#3 of 4 in Dyamonde Daniel Series
What’s inside...
The third book in the Dyamonde Daniels series, written by bestselling author Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Coretta Scott King honor winner R. Gregory Christie, follows Dyamonde as she navigates her desires and values. Dyamonde wants a pair of red high-top sneakers, but they are too expensive. After a classmate suggests that her mom should fulfill her needs, Dyamonde's mom decides to teach her a lesson by providing her only with essentials, reducing her wardrobe to almost nothing. Through this experience, Dyamonde learns an important lesson about gratitude and empathy when she discovers a friend is in a much worse situation. Determined to help, Dyamonde takes action to support her friend, showcasing her kind heart and resilience.
Character compass
Dyamonde Daniel
Tameka
Free
Dyamonde'S Mother
Discussion points
Why do you think Dyamonde gave away her clothes, and how did it make her feel?
How do you think having less stuff might make life simpler or more complicated?
Dyamonde learned a lot about friendship in this story. What do you think makes someone a good friend?
What would you do if you were in Dyamonde's shoes and why?
How do you think helping others can change the way we feel about ourselves?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the main characters’ actions and decisions.
Ask your child to relate situations from the book to their own life experiences, building empathy and understanding.
Discuss the outcomes of the story and ask your child to imagine alternative endings.
Highlight the importance of generosity and friendship discussed in the story and relate it back to your child’s interactions.
Praise your child for unique insights or connections they make, fostering confidence in their analytical thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The value of resourcefulness
Explanation: Dyamonde Daniel uses her creativity and resourcefulness to solve problems, like finding a way for her friend to get new shoes.
Real-World Application: Children learn to think creatively to solve their own problems, using the resources they have available.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Dyamonde listens to her friends’ struggles and learns to understand and empathize with different perspectives.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to be empathetic and considerate of others' feelings and circumstances in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Importance of friendship
Explanation: The story highlights how Dyamonde values her friendships and goes out of her way to help her friends.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to value and nurture their relationships, understanding the importance of giving and receiving support.