Here you’ll find a variety of lesson plans, with one for each age group. Feel free to mix and match the activities that work best for your students. There’s also an alternative lesson plan at the end for even more flexibility.
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Pre-K Lesson Plan (Ages 3-4)
Learning Objectives
Identify feelings of anxiety or sadness and how to cope
Understand the concept of a school day and making friends
Connect personal comfort objects to characters in a story
Materials
Procedure (30 minutes)
(10 mins) Introduction and Thematic Discussion: Gather students in a circle and discuss how they felt on their first day of school. Ask open-ended questions: How did you feel when you first walked into this classroom? What do you do when you feel a little bit scared? What is something special you have at home that makes you feel safe?
(10 mins) Watch the read aloud video of the story. Encourage students to look at Little Book's facial expressions throughout his journey. Ask them to point to the screen when they think Little Book looks happy or nervous.
(10 mins) My Comfort Character Activity: Have students draw a picture of their favorite stuffed animal or toy from home. Discuss how that toy might feel if it came to school today. Ask: If your toy came to school, what would be its favorite activity? Who would your toy play with? How would you make sure your toy feels brave?
Discussion & Extension Questions
How did Little Book feel when he was put in the book box?
What are some things Little Book did at school that you also do at school?
How did Little Book make new friends during his unexpected day?
Why was Addie looking for Little Book at the end?
If you were a book, what kind of adventure would you want to go on?
Kindergarten Lesson Plan - Age 5
Learning Objectives
Recognize that it is okay to not be okay in new situations
Identify key story elements including characters, setting, and plot
Develop empathy for characters experiencing big emotions
Materials
Procedure (40 minutes + 20 minutes optional Q&A)
(10 mins) Pre-Reading Thematic Discussion: Discuss the concept of being in a new place without a grown-up. Ask: Have you ever been somewhere new and felt a little worried? What helped you feel better? Is it okay to feel sad even when you are supposed to be having fun? How can we help a friend who looks nervous?
(10 mins) Watch the read along video. Pause briefly when Little Book enters the school to ask students to predict what might happen next.
(20 mins) Create a Book Friend: Using recycled cardboard and markers, have students create their own 'Little Book' character. Once finished, have them pair up and introduce their characters to one another. Ask: What is your book character's name? What makes your book character feel brave? If your book character got lost, where would it go to find help?
(20 mins) Watch the author's Q&A interview video. Lead a discussion prompting students to come up with new questions they would like to ask the author. Example questions to start: 'What inspired you to write this?', 'How did you choose the characters?'
Discussion & Extension Questions
What was the problem that Little Book faced at the beginning of the story?
What did Little Book learn about his feelings during his day at school?
How did the other characters in the school treat Little Book?
Why do you think Addie and Little Book were so close?
If you found a book in a book box, what would you do with it?
1st Grade Lesson Plan - Age 6
Learning Objectives
Analyze character development and emotional changes throughout a narrative
Practice narrative sequencing by retelling the story events
Explore the theme of resilience and community support
Materials
Procedure (45 minutes + 20 minutes optional Q&A)
(10 mins) First Day Reflection: Ask students to reflect on their own school transitions. Ask: What was the biggest surprise you had on your first day of school? How did your feelings change from the morning to the afternoon? Why do you think people sometimes feel nervous about new things?
(10 mins) Watch the read along video. Instruct students to pay attention to the sequence of events that lead to Little Book feeling more comfortable.
(25 mins) Story Mapping and Writing: Students will fold a piece of paper into three sections: Beginning, Middle, and End. They will draw and write one sentence for each section about Little Book's journey. Ask: How did Little Book feel at the start? What was the most important thing that happened in the middle? How did the story resolve?
(20 mins) Watch the author's Q&A interview video. Lead a discussion prompting students to come up with new questions they would like to ask the author. Example questions to start: 'What inspired you to write this?', 'How did you choose the characters?'
Discussion & Extension Questions
How did Little Book's feelings change from the beginning of the story to the end?
What specific moment helped Little Book realize it was 'okay to not be okay'?
How did the 'book box' accident turn into an adventure?
In what ways did the school environment help Little Book feel better?
If you were Addie, how would you have felt when you realized Little Book was missing?
2nd Grade Lesson Plan - Age 7
Learning Objectives
Compare and contrast the perspectives of Addie and Little Book
Discuss the importance of empathy and supporting peers in the classroom
Articulate personal strategies for managing anxiety
Materials
Procedure (50 minutes + 20 minutes optional Q&A)
(10 mins) Opening Discussion: Introduce the idea of 'unexpected journeys'. Ask: Have you ever had a plan go wrong, but it ended up being okay? How do you handle it when things don't go the way you expected? How can we tell if a friend (or an object!) is feeling out of place?
(10 mins) Watch the read along video. Ask students to think about the story from Addie's perspective while they watch Little Book's adventure.
(30 mins) Advice for Little Book: On sticky notes, have students write 'advice' they would give to Little Book or a new student to help them feel less anxious. Place these on a large poster. Ask: Why is this advice helpful? How can we make our classroom a safe place for everyone? What is one thing you can do tomorrow to make someone feel included?
(20 mins) Watch the author's Q&A interview video. Lead a discussion prompting students to come up with new questions they would like to ask the author. Example questions to start: 'What inspired you to write this?', 'How did you choose the characters?'
Discussion & Extension Questions
Why is the title 'Little Book' significant to the character's personality?
What lesson did Little Book learn about school that he didn't know before?
How did Addie's mom's mistake lead to a positive experience for Little Book?
Compare how Addie felt while at school versus how Little Book felt.
What advice would you give to a friend who is starting a new school tomorrow?
Alternative Lesson Plan - Ages 3 - 7
Learning Objectives
Explore the bond between children and their favorite items
Engage in sensory storytelling and imaginative play
Practice verbalizing complex emotions like worry and relief
Materials
Procedure (40 minutes)
(10 mins) Thematic Circle Time: Discuss the items that are most important to us. Ask: If you could bring one thing to school every day, what would it be? Why is that item special to you? How would you feel if that item went on an adventure without you?
(15 mins) Watch the read along video together. Encourage students to act out the 'anxious' and 'happy' faces Little Book makes as the story progresses.
(15 mins) The Red String of Friendship: Give each child a piece of yarn to symbolize the 'invisible' connection between Addie and Little Book. Have them use magazine cutouts to create a collage of things their favorite toy might like to do. Ask: Where would your toy hide if it played hide-and-seek? Who would your toy want to meet at the library? How do you know your toy loves you?
Discussion & Extension Questions
What did Addie and Little Book like to do together?
Why was Little Book scared of the book box?
What was the best thing that happened to Little Book at school?
How did Addie find Little Book again?
If your favorite toy went to school, what would be the first thing it would learn?