Hand in Hand
What’s inside...
This collection features two distinct children's books. The first, by renowned author-illustrator Rosemary Wells, celebrates the special bond between parents and their children, highlighting the various ways parents support and nurture their children from the start. The second book, 'Jesus in My Little Pocket', provides bite-sized portions of Scripture from the International Children's Bible, making it easy for children to carry and reflect on God's Word wherever they go. Each page is perforated for convenience, allowing verses to be shared or kept close in everyday situations.
Age
2-6
Length
22 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did the characters show kindness and cooperation in the story?
What did you learn about making new friends from 'Hand in Hand'?
Why do you think teamwork was important for the characters?
How did the characters solve problems together?
Can you think of a time when you worked with someone to achieve something?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing 'Hand in Hand', use examples of the child’s own experiences with teamwork and friendship to make connections to the story.
Highlight the emotions of the characters as you read, asking the child how they think each character feels during key moments.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative solutions to conflicts in the story, enhancing their problem-solving skills.
Use expressive reading to make the story more engaging, changing your tone of voice to match the emotions and actions.
After reading, engage in an activity that requires teamwork, like building a puzzle or a craft, to put the themes of the book into practice.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Value of Friendship
Explanation: In 'Hand in Hand,' the story demonstrates the importance of friendship through the bond between the characters. The characters support each other through various challenges, highlighting the strength found in togetherness.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to support their friends during tough times and celebrate their successes, fostering strong, supportive relationships.
Example Lesson: Importance of Teamwork
Explanation: The book showcases how the characters work together to solve problems, illustrating the power of collaboration and collective effort.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to participate in group activities, learn to compromise, and see the value in working together toward a common goal in school projects or team sports.
Example Lesson: Embracing Diversity
Explanation: Through its varied characters, 'Hand in Hand' teaches that everyone is unique and that diversity should be embraced, not shunned.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to interact with and appreciate peers from different backgrounds, understanding that everyone brings something special to the table.
Example Lesson: Resilience in Adversity
Explanation: As the characters in 'Hand in Hand' face and overcome various obstacles, the book highlights the theme of resilience.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children learn to face challenges without giving up, teaching them persistence and the importance of a positive attitude in difficult circumstances.
Example Lesson: Expressing Emotions
Explanation: The book gives space to characters expressing a range of emotions, which teaches children that it's important to communicate their feelings openly.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn from this to express their own emotions more clearly, whether it's happiness, sadness, or frustration, helping them to develop emotionally.