When I Look Up
What’s inside...
A touching story about a young girl who explores her environment and finds small wonders in her world. From the author and illustrator of I WILL ALWAYS BE HAPPY TO SEE YOU comes a book about imagination, dreaming and acceptance. What do you see when you look up? Where does your imagination take you? What do you wish for? A story about dreaming of beautiful things, and about being happy with what you've got. For sky gazers ages 5 years and up.
Age
5-10
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you imagine you might see if you looked up at the sky right now?
How do you think looking up at the stars can make someone feel?
What would you wish for if you saw a shooting star?
Can you think of different reasons why people might look up to the sky?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their imagination and feelings as they think about the sky. Validate their feelings and thoughts, and share your own experiences of looking at the stars or the sky. This can help deepen the bond between you and create a shared sense of wonder.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Exploration
Explanation: The protagonist in 'When I Look Up' exhibits a strong sense of curiosity throughout the story, constantly looking up and questioning the world around them.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to explore their surroundings and ask questions, helping them to understand the world better and foster a love for learning.
Example Lesson: Imagination and Creativity
Explanation: The book illustrates how the child uses their imagination to transform everyday sights into extraordinary visions, demonstrating the power of creative thinking.
Real-World Application: Children can use their imagination to turn simple objects and scenarios into creative play. This enhances cognitive flexibility and problem-solving skills.
Example Lesson: Appreciation of Nature
Explanation: As the child in the story observes natural elements like the sky and clouds, there's a clear emphasis on appreciating and respecting the natural world.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to spend more time outdoors, observe natural phenomena, and learn about environmental conservation from a young age.
Example Lesson: Emotional Expression
Explanation: The book conveys various emotions experienced by the protagonist as they gaze upwards, providing a platform for emotional expression.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to understand and express their own emotions better, as well as develop empathy by noticing and discussing how others might feel.