Library Resources

Includes drawing and craft activities, questions for group

discussion and ideas for Storytime!

The world is big enough for all kinds of people.

#ChooseKind Art © 2017 by R. J. Palacio

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DEAR LIBRARIANThank you for requesting this library resource pack for R. J. Palacio’s We’re all Wonders which we hope you will enjoy sharing with children in your library.

Wonder, the unforgettable story of Auggie Pullman, has inspired a nationwide movement to #ChooseKind and with the gorgeous picture book We’re all Wonders the importance of choosing kind can now be introduced to younger children. Kindness is the underlying theme in this book, featuring a younger Auggie Pullman, the main character in Wonder.

Auggie is a boy whose face doesn’t look ordinary. He likes to do the same things that other kids do, but the other kids don’t see past his facial difference. They don’t invite him to play, and they point at him and call him names. When he is feeling especially lonely, he and his dog Daisy put on space helmets and fl y through the atmosphere. They land on Pluto, where they play with old friends. As they fl oat back to Earth, the boy sees a world big enough for all kinds of people. The boy’s mother calls him unique and a wonder, and he begins to think about the other kids and how they might change their view of him.

This December Wonder will be brought to the big screen in a blockbuster family movie starring Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson and Jacob Tremblay, so join the buzz by celebrating the theme of kindness and #ChooseKind in your library this autumn.

With best wishes

From all at Puffi n

9780141386416

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Host a

LIBRARY S

TORYTIME EVENT

BEFORE YOU BEGINTo get everyone ready for storytime, sit in a circle and ask each person to introduce him- or herself with his or her favorite thing about themselves.

Then introduce the story by telling your group that the book is about a little boy who looks different from those around him. Then say, “Even though Auggie looks different from the rest of the people he sees around him, he realizes his differences are what make him special!”

Discuss the cover of the book. What is different about the boy? Have the group think of words that best describe him and discuss reasons why he may be wearing a space helmet.

AS YOU READMention that everyone feels a little different sometimes, but that’s what makes the world so interesting and beautiful. Just like Auggie, we’re all wonders. Remind everyone how important it is to tell others that you love them. With just a simple act of kindness, one person can start a kindness chain!

END THE STORYWhen you fi nish reading, ask your audience if anyone would like to share what makes them or one of their friends or family members a wonder. Maybe it’s related to that favorite thing they mentioned before you started reading. Remind them that everyone is different, but that’s what makes us so beautiful. Then pass out coloured pencils and copies of the activity pages in this kit and ask everyone in your group to do the activities.

SET THE SCENE FOR YOUR STORYTIME EVENTIn We’re All Wonders, Auggie and Daisy travel up, up, up through the clouds, above the oceans and the mountains. They fl oat into outer space and fl y acrossthe solar system. Turn your event space into a solar system to show your guestshow big the world can look from afar!

Decorate large, colourful spherical paper lanterns to look like Earth and other planets. Hang them with fi shing wire from the ceiling. Intersperse stars cut from card stock to complete the look.

Use black paper as tablecloths around your setting, and decorate by drawing planets and stars with white chalk.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP DISCUSSION (AGE 4-7) What does the fi rst line in the book reveal about the boy?

Defi ne ordinary. In what way is the boy an ordinary kid? How is he extraordinary?

Study the illustrations at the beginning of the book, and point out Auggie’s best friend. Follow Auggie and Daisy through the entire story. Explain why Daisy isn’t in the pictures at the end of the book.

Take a look at the pictures of Auggie’s classmates. Describe each student. How are they all different? What might they have in common?

Discuss the meaning of wonder. Explain why Auggie’s mother calls him a wonder. What is the fi rst hint that other people don’t see Auggie the way his mother sees him?

Study the illustration that shows how the other kids see Auggie. Which kid really doesn’t want to see him? Which kids are astonished? Which kid is about to laugh? Which kids are frowning? How are their facial expressions rude?

Which illustration reveals how sad Auggie feels when people treat him rudely?

Explain how the space helmet and the water tower reveal what happens next in the story.

Describe the friends he encounters on Pluto. What does this say about Auggie’s need to belong?How does Auggie show kindness to them?

Explain what Auggie means when he says, “People just need to change the way they see.” At the end of the story, Tadeo offers Auggie a ball. How is this a gesture of friendship? Discuss how Tadeo changes the way he sees.

GROUP ACTIVITIES The pictures of Auggie’s classmates reveal their reaction to his facial difference. Divide the children into small groups and ask them to create fi ve questions that are appropriate to ask Auggie. Instruct the groups to choose words that are kind and gentle. Allow time for the groups to share their questions.

Take a careful look at the boy that offers Auggie the ball at the end of the story. Then refer back to the pictures of Auggie’s classmates to identify him as Tadeo. Have the children share what they think Tadeo says to Auggie when he hands him the ball.

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CRAFTS AND GAMESMAKE YOUR OWN TELESCOPEWith a telescope, you can more easily see how big the universe around us is. For this craft, you’ll need:

• Cardboard tubes (left over from paper towel or toilet paper rolls) • Construction paper• Rubber bands • Markers

How to create your telescope:1. Roll a piece of construction paper over your cardboard tube and attach with rubber bands.

2. Make your telescope one-of-a-kind by drawing on or decorating it with your own unique design.

3. When you’re fi nished, just pull the construction paper tube to make your telescope even longer.

To amp up the fun, encourage the children to try creating an extra-long telescope with a wrapping paper roll or by connecting several smaller cardboard rolls.

GO ON A HUNT FOR MOON ROCKS!Paint large stones or plastic Easter eggs silver and hide them around your event space. Encourage the children to explore the moon and search for the hidden treasure.

FIND OUT WHAT MAKES YOUR GROUP WONDERFUL!Encourage the children to sit in a circle. Start the game by gently tossing a beanbagor soft ball to someone in the circle and asking a question at the same time—“What’s your favorite colour?” or “What’s your favourite holiday?” The person who catchesthe beanbag/ball must answer the question and then throw it on and ask the next person a new question. Encourage everyone to share something unique aboutthemselves to demonstrate how many WONDERful qualities we all have that make us special!

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What Makes You WONDERful?We’re All Wonders reminds us that everyone is a wonder in his or her own way.

In the box below, draw some of the things that make you special! Maybe you havea special talent for drawing, or you’re a great singer, or you help your parents at home.

What makes YOU a WONDER?

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Colouring-in Competition Colour in the picture below for your chance to WIN a copy of We’re all Wonders

and a bundle of Puffin books!

Win a copy of We’re all Wonders and a bundle of Puff in books!

Competition page 1 of 2

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Colouring-inCompetition Colouring-inCompetition

Competition page 2 of 2

Library authority:

Library name:

Child’s name:

Child’s date of birth:

Please scan entries and email to: Kimberley.Sheehan@readingagency.org.uk

Or post to:

SUMMER READING CHALLENGE, The Reading Agency, 60 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3GA

Deadline for entries: December 22nd 2017

T&Cs

Five winners will receive a bundle of Puffin books,including a copy of We’re all Wonders! The closing date for the competition is Wednesday 22 December 2017. Competition is open to UK residents only, and entrants must be aged 12 years or under. The judges’ decision is final.

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Help Auggie Find DaisyFollow the line. Which one will lead Auggie to his best friend, Daisy?

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Who makes you feel WONDERful? Draw around your hand and write down five people who make you feel wonderful.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

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’ Look w i th k indness and you w i l l a lways f ind wonder. ’

What Makes Me Happy Draw a picture of something that makes you happy and pass it on to someone you love.

’ Look w i th k indness and you w i l l a lways f ind wonder. ’

Draw a picture of something that makes you happy and pass it on to someone you love.

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ABOUT THE AUTHORR. J. Palacio was born and raised in New York City. She attendedthe High School of Art and Design and the Parsons School of Design, where she majored in illustration with the hopes of someday following in the footsteps of her favorite childhood author-illustrators, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Maurice Sendak, and the D’Aulaires. She was a graphic designer and art director for many years beforewriting Wonder.

We’re All Wonders, which is based conceptually on the themes of her novel, represents the fulfi llment of her dream to write and illustrate her own picture book. Palacio is also the author of Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories and 365 Days of Wonder: Mr. Browne’s Precepts. She lives in Brooklyn, where she is surrounded by magical water towers, with her husband, their two sons, and their two dogs, Bear and Beau. Learn more about her at rjpalacio.com or on Twitterat @RJPalacio.

Phot

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Tim

Kno

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