Introducing an inspirational read aloud to kick off the new year ~ featured in MaiStoryBook Library Collection:

“Perfectly Norman” by Tom Percival

*~Click here to purchase your own copy of *Perfectly Norman* to start on your own reading adventure! (This is an affiliate link~ 5% of your purchase will go to MaiStoryBook to help create Reading Resources for your littles)~*

Book Synopsis and Review 

This is a beautiful read aloud to inspire self confidence and pride in yourself for being just the way you are. It is a cautionary tale of how hiding a part of who you truly are from the world can make you timid, settling for mundane rather than joyful bliss. Norman’s coat that he wears to hide his wings is the perfect metaphor for little ones to understand the problem of covering up a part of themselves from those around them, and the bright wings that he tucks away *and then eventually unfurl in a burst of colorful feathers* strike the perfect image of the beauty of uniqueness that each of us have within us and that should be shared with the world. This is a book to challenge you to *dare to be different*~ and to help you realize that those who are truly family and friends will love you for who you are, exactly the way you were meant to be.

Vocabulary

• Swooping (p. 7) flying through the air
• Odd (p. 11) strange, weird
• Unbearable (p. 15) can’t stand it, don’t want to do it anymore
• Miserable (p. 21) sad, feeling terrible
• Hesitantly (p. 23) slowly and unsure

Themes/ Main Ideas

• Have the courage to show your true self to the world. Dare to be different and celebrate yourself for being just the way you were meant to be!
• You can find the most joy and fulfillment in life when you stay true to who you are. You will build and find strong relationships with friends and family who love you for being you!

YouTube Video: Guided Shared-Reading Read Aloud Example

Example of a shared-reading, interactive Read Aloud of “Perfectly Norman” – how to subtly introduce the vocabulary list words within the text, ask guided questions, and spark conversation!

*~Check it Out~*

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*Perfectly Me* & *Spread Your Wings* Cardboard Craft

*~New Year’s 2019~* Many people make a New Year’s Resolution at the start of a new year~ a sort of promise to themselves of what they can do to either improve their own lives or to help those around them~ with the ultimate goal of reaching that state of fulfillment, contentment, and happiness. A recurrent resolution of mine is to *live in the present*~ to truly live in the moment, to stop constantly planning the future or ruminating on the past, and to instead enjoy and pay full attention to what is happening right around me. This past year has revolved around meticulous planning and thinking ahead, and as a first-year teacher *and with creating content for MaiStoryBook* the planning comes with the territory and is definitely necessary. But I believe a balance can be achieved, a balance where I can make the day-to-day minutes and moments of life that so easily just slip by moments to cherish and value. As this new year brings the second half of *mai* first year of teaching, and continues the growth and adventure of MaiStoryBook, the necessity for reflecting back and planning forward will continue, but learning to trust that there is time for everything to get done and still have time to enjoy the moment and be with the ones I love is mai goal for the year! For my littles, my wishes for them are to keep the self-confidence and self-assurance that I see radiating from them everyday~ their unique personalities shine as they are not yet inhibited by *peer pressure* or too aware of *social norms and expectations.* As we start off the new year in January, I want to encourage them to be like Norman~ to be confident to share their own wings with the world~ and trust that there will always be those who love them for being just the way they were meant to be. So, looking for a perfect craft to share this inspiring message for your own littles? MaiStoryBook has got you covered with this week’s *Perfectly Me* and *Spread Your Wings* Cardboard Craft!

*Perfectly Me* Writing and Craft

Materials

• Downloadable *Perfectly Me* Template
• Scissors
• Glue/Tape
• Colors: markers, crayons, colored pencils
• *optional* photo

Directions

• Print out the downloadable template for the wings and writing activity.
• Color in the wings to represent your unique personality. Use texture, colors, glitter, patterns, anything your heart desires!
• Cut out the wings.
• Next, choose a writing template to fill in. There is a fill in the sentence frame option, or a blank option for your own writing. 
• For the heading, put your name in the blank. For example, “I am Perfectly Maya.”
• Then, in the space below, fill in the sentence frames or write about what makes you unique- what are some cool facts about you that make you special, or what is something about you that makes you unique. 
• Decorate and color in the border, or trace your writing in marker with any colors that you love.
• No Photo Option: Glue/tape the wings to the right and left side of your writing template so your writing is soaring through the skies!
• Optional Photo: Take a photo showing your best smile! Take it from waist or mid-chest up. Print and cut out your head and body-cutting away the background.
• Glue the wings behind your back. Then, glue/tape the writing template to the bottom of your photo so you are smiling with your wings above your writing.
• Hang up to make a super cute bulletin board display.

*Spread Your Wings* Cardboard Craft

Materials

• Large piece of flat cardboard
• Scissors/box cutter
• Ribbon or String
• Hole Puncher (optional)
• Decorations: Puffy paint, markers, pompom balls, glitter glue, glitter, sequins, crayons, etc.

Directions

• On the large, flat piece of cardboard, trace the shape of wings. Cut them out with the scissors or box cutter.

• On a clear space, I suggest laying out newspaper for easy cleanup and to prevent mess, begin decorating the wings. Encourage you little to decorate with whatever and however they want. These wings are to show their true personalities~ they represent the beauty of their uniqueness~ go wild with them!
• Use markers to make patters, puffy paint to accentuate, and glitter to add sparkle and pizzazz!

• When done, let the wings dry if using paint or glitter glue.
• When dry, use the hole puncher, or carefully use scissors, to make two holes at the top of the wings, as far apart as about the shoulder-width of your little one.
• Cut a piece of string to tie between the two holes to create a loop to wear the wings. Make sure the opening is large enough to fit over your little’s head so the wings can drape behind them *sort of like cape-style.*

Enjoy Your *Spread Your Wings* Cardboard Craft!

• Wear your wings to remind you and give you the confidence to dare to be different and celebrate who you are!
• Wear your wings to help you share with family and friends the important message to be true to yourself.
• Use the wings to help you retell the story *Perfectly Norman*
• Wear your wings around the neighborhood and see how others appreciate your creativity and unique wing style!

*~Overall, have fun creating, sharing, and wearing  your  *Spread Your Wings* Cardboard Craft,  and I hope you and your little ones have a wonderful New Year’s!  – tag me on Instagram @MaiStoryBookLibrary, Twitter @MaiStoryBook  – or post on FaceBook to share your photos of your own *Spread Your Wings* Cardboard Crafts, and your own reading adventures! I’d love to hear from you!~*

*~Until next time, Happy Reading~*