Introducing an inspirational read celebrating *you*~ featured in the MaiStoryBook Library Collection:

“Be You” by Peter H. Reynolds

*~Click here to purchase your own copy of “Be You” to start 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

*You* are the star of this book~ Here is a read to inspire you to be the best *you* you can be! Best selling author, Peter H. Reynolds, creative mastermind behind The Word Collector and Say Something, has shared a joyful celebration of each and every reader, encouraging audiences to thrive to their full potential. Be curious, Be persistent, Be brave, Be adventurous~ but most importantly *Be You!* With words of inspiration on each page, motivating us to be all that we can be, this book celebrates the joy of staying true to the most important person of all~ *You.*

This is the perfect read to share a sentimentality of courage and inner-strength~ inspiring little ones to believe in the possibilities they create for themselves, and in the power of their own individuality. The sweet, simple text and charming illustrations emphasize the cheerful message of celebrating all that you are and who you can be. *Also, a great read for discussing synonyms, an excellent book for finding delightful words for your word collections, and perfect for learning about adjectives.*

Vocabulary

• discover (p. 8) to find something new
• kindred (p. 12) kind, similar to you
• quirky (p. 16) different in a fun way
• plunge (p. 20) jump in quickly or dive in
• compassionate (p.28) showing love and being worried for others because you care about them

Themes/ Main Ideas

• Be proud of who You are. Stand out from the crowd and don’t hide who you are. Share your true self with the world.
• Be your best self. Always try your best, be kind, be persistent. Let your best self shine for the world to see.

YouTube Video: Guided Shared-Reading Read Aloud Example

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

*~Check it Out~*

Subscribe: MaiStoryBook Youtube Channel for additional read aloud videos!

*Be You* Activity Workbook

Now is the perfect time to give little ones (and ourselves) a gentle, and joyful, reminder that each and every one of us is strong, brave, bold, and capable. Even when times are tough and uncertainty looms, we have it within us to rise up, find happiness, stay connected, and share love. Currently, with distance learning, I meet with mai students through zoom 3x a week. However, rather than use our meeting time teaching content, our meetings have become a way for us to stay connected~ a way for us to touch base with each other, check in, continue our community, and appreciate each other’s presence. Right now, the most important thing on mai agenda is making sure the kids are okay~ that they will continue to build their confidence and believe that they are capable, and they are resilient. Even if the near future looks gloomy~ mai hope is that they believe in themselves enough to believe their own future is still bright. This week’s activity inspired by the book, “Be You,” is a perfect way to help children reflect on everything that makes them strong, capable, and brave. Through a series of activity pages modeled after the text, littles record how they are and can continue to be their *best* selves~ it’s a celebration of what makes *you*, you~*

Materials

• *Be You* Activity Workbook Downloadable Template
• Stapler/ Page fasteners
• Colors: crayons, markers, colored pencils, etc
• Pen/pencil

Directions

• Print out the “Be You” Workbook. *Print out double sided to save paper*
• Print the pages in order for the recommended order that matches with the book.
• Staple/ fasten the spine of the book (left edge).
• Encourage children to fill in the pages about all the things they will “Be.” The pages match the words of encouragement from the book “Be You.”
• Notes on how to fill in the pages:
• COVER : Write your name on the blank line. Or you could write “you” or “me.” Draw a picture of yourself in the middle of the boat similar to the cover of the book. 

• I was born to Be so many things: Draw a picture of you as a baby in the frame.
• Be Ready: On the clipboard, record the steps you take to get ready for a good day.
• Be Curious: Write questions/Wonderings you have in the thought bubbles.
• Be Adventurous: In the arrows, write places you want to go, or new things you want to try

• Be Connected: In the heart, draw or write the names of you and the people you love 
• Be Persistent: In the spaces, write positive affirmations you can tell yourself if you feel like giving up
• Be Different: color the big butterfly different than all the rest. Color all the other butterflies the same so the big one stands out.

• Be Kind/Understanding: Write/Draw acts of kindness you’ve done or can do
• Be Brave: Write about one time you did something brave.
• Be My Own Thinker: Write/Draw amazing ideas you have in the lightbulb
• Be Ok With Being Alone: In the flowers, draw/write different ways to take care of yourself/ activities that make you feel better

• Be patient: Write/Draw things you are looking forward to doing
• Be okay reaching out for help: In the frames, draw and write the names of people you can turn to for help
• Be Loved: In the hearts, write the name of people/ draw the faces of people who love you no matter what
• Final Page: Write your name on the line, or “me.” Draw a picture of yourself standing proud on top of the mountain (similar to the last page in the book)

Enjoy Your *Be You* Activity Workbook

• Read through your activity book to remind yourself that *You* are capable, unique, strong, and resilient.
• Share your activity workbook with a family member or friend (via zoom) and share what makes you special.
• Share your activity workbook with a family member or friend and ask how they would fill in the pages. Learn what makes them unique, special, and strong.
• With your activity book, re-read the book “Be You!”, or watch MaiStoryBook’s read aloud video again, and share your own ideas that you wrote down as you read/listen to each page.

*~Overall, I hope you all are staying safe, staying healthy, and supporting each other through these times! Tag me on Instagram @MaiStoryBookLibrary, Twitter @MaiStoryBook  – post on FaceBook – or contact me via email to share your own *Be You* Activity Workbooks, and your own reading adventures! I’d love to hear from you and hear/see what makes you unique and strong!~*

*~Until next time, Happy Reading~*