The purpose of these stories is to: entertain, build relationships, develop communication, and learn. The intent is not for the story to be read by a child or to a child, but with a child. As the story unfolds, ask the following types of questions:
What do you (the child) think they might be thinking?
How do you (the child) think they might be feeling?
What do you (the child) think they should do?
What do you (the child) think this means?
Throughout the story, ask: "What do you think will happen next?"
Please be sure and explain words the child may not understand. You may also want to ask the child what s/he thinks the prairie, forest, mountains, streams, creeks, sky, animals, or other things might look like beyond the illustrations provided. After asking the child, you might describe what you think they might look like.
Quite often children will express personal thoughts or feelings and learn important principles in stories when the discussion can be a little detached from their own lives. These stores were written to help open the doors of communication, insight, and personal growth.
Whether animals are capable of thoughts or feelings described in the story below is not important.
You may also give your thoughts after theirs: but, do not put down or disparage their thoughts and feelings if you want them to share more with you in the future.
