MSU Extension Child & Family Development

Before Reading

• Show your child the front of the book and encourage them to explore it. They may want to hold it, turn the pages, or even taste it!
• Point to each baby on the cover and talk about the faces they are making. Ask your child what they think the children are feeling.

While Reading

• Stop if there is something you or your child would like to talk about.
• Ask questions so they can connect what is happening in the book to things they already know about. Try some of these ideas: o What does his face look like?
  • What do you think the baby feels (happy, sad, scared)?
• Ask your child to point out what they see. Describe each baby’s facial expression.
  • He is smiling, he must be happy.
  • Oh no! He is crying, he must be sad.

After Reading

• Spend some time talking about the story. Ask:
  • When do you feel (surprised, sad, angry, worried, etc.)?
  • What does your face look like when you feel that way? What does your body look like?

Read this book several times to the children. Hearing the same story again and again helps them learn new words and understand the ideas the hear better. Each day, pick a different activity to do with the children after reading.