My Cold Plum Lemon Pie Bluesy Mood
What’s inside...
My Cold Plum Lemon Pie Bluesy Mood follows Jamie as he navigates his emotions through colors. On a good day, he feels purple like a juicy plum, and while drawing, he feels green like a dragon in a jello jungle. However, when his brothers tease him, he feels like a dark gray storm. The book explores Jamie's journey to understanding and expressing his feelings, and it teaches young readers to articulate their emotions creatively. This book is a 2014 Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What color do you feel like today and why?
How do colors change for the main character as his feelings change?
Can you think of a time when your mood changed like the character's? What happened?
What are some ways the character handles his different moods? Do you think these are good strategies?
How do the family members support the character when he's in a bluesy mood?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their own feelings using colors, enhancing their emotional vocabulary.
Relate the story to real-life scenarios that your child might encounter, to help them connect with the character’s experiences.
Ask your child to draw or color a picture expressing their mood of the day, using the book’s theme as inspiration.
Discuss the supportive role of family in the book and relate it to your family's approach to supporting each other during various moods.
Praise your child for sharing and encourage them to think critically about how they can handle their emotions, just like the character.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding Emotions
Explanation: The book explores a young boy's journey through different moods and emotions, expressed through vibrant colors and relatable scenarios.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to identify and articulate their own emotions, helping them understand and manage their feelings in daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Creativity in Expression
Explanation: The protagonist uses colors and everyday scenarios to describe his feelings, blending creativity with emotional expression.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to explore artistic or creative ways to express their emotions, such as drawing or storytelling, fostering emotional intelligence and artistic skills.
Example Lesson: Family Support
Explanation: The boy’s interactions with his family show how they support and acknowledge his changing moods, essential for emotional growth.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of family support in understanding and accepting their emotions, promoting open family communication.
Example Lesson: Mood Influences
Explanation: The story demonstrates how different situations, such as interactions with siblings or changes in environment, can affect moods.
Real-World Application: Helps children recognize external factors that can influence their emotions, aiding them in managing reactions to different situations.