Introducing an inspiring read about pursuing your big ideas and working together to make a change in your community~ featured in the MaiStoryBook Library Collection: 

“Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea” by Meena Harris & Ana Ramirez Gonzalez

*~Click here to purchase your own copy of “Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea” 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

Kamala and Maya have a *Big Idea!* Their apartment courtyard is an empty lot~ and they can just imagine how grand it would be to have a playground there for the whole apartment community to enjoy! Excited for the possibility, they buckle down to write a letter to the landlord~ hoping he will agree with their grand idea and make a playground. However, when the landlord is reluctant to pitch in and help, Kamala and Maya take matters into their own hands and rally the other apartment children to help them make their *big idea* come true. Building a whole playground is impossible for just Kamala and Maya, but with a little bit of help from a whole lot of people~ they will discover the power of persistence and working together to make your dreams and plans come true.

Based on a true story from Vice President Kamala Harris and her sister Maya’s own childhood, this inspirational read shows the power of resilience, imagination, determination, and community organization to facilitate change and make a difference. Little ones will be emboldened to know that even they, with a little bit of help, can make their big ideas come true. With colorful illustrations and a compelling storyline that will have you rooting for Kamala and Maya up until the very end, this is an excellent read for inspiring little learners to pursue their passions, be willing to ask for and accept help when needed, and to use their ideas and voices to create change.

Vocabulary

• Courtyard (p. 3) an outdoor area surrounded by walls- like a big backyard
• Lumber (p. 13) wood cut into long pieces
• Potluck (p. 18) a party or meal where everyone brings a different food to share with everyone else
• Contribute (p. 23) to give something
• Persist (p. 28) to keep trying and never give up

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Themes/Main Idea

• Never give up: Have the courage to make your big ideas come true. Even when you have a setback, or even if someone else doesn’t believe in your ideas~ believe in yourself and find new ways to pursue your goals.
• Community and Teamwork: Pursuing a big idea can be daunting, but with teamwork and determination, anything is possible!

YouTube Video: Guided Shared-Reading Read Aloud Example

Example of a shared-reading, interactive Read Aloud of “Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea* – how to subtly introduce the vocabulary list words within the text, ask guided questions, and spark conversation!

*~Check it Out~*

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*My Big Idea* Letter Activity

Mai Little learners are quite the activists this year. First on their lists of Demands for Change: their English Curriculum: Benchmarks. We just finished up a unit on Inventors and Technology, and they were quite indignant that the only investors featured were all men. I too was disappointed with the representation in the curriculum, and sourced together a collection of read alouds featuring women inventor’s to share their stories and accomplishments with mai little learners as well. Even with our current unit on theme and Fairytales, the Little Learners are realizing that almost all the characters that save the day or have a good idea are boys, while the female characters are always in distress. It is disheartening that these gender stereotypes are still so prominent in curriculum and storytelling and we discuss together how there needs to be a change. One way voice your opinion and demand a change for the better, is through writing~ just like how Kamala wrote letters to share her big idea. Spread your ideas and make them known~ that’s the first stpe towards creating change. I’m planning one encouraging mai little learners to draft ands rite letters to the Curriculum company, voicing their opinions and demanding more representation. If you also have little learners with *Big Ideas*~ then check out this featured craft inspired by the story. This L*Big IDea* Letter activity will have your own little learners sharing their big ideas and taking the first steps towards turning them into a reality!

Materials

• *My Big Idea* Letter Activity Downloadable Template
• Pen/Pencil
• Colors/markers
• Scissors

Directions

• Choose a “Front Envelope Template.” There are color and black and white versions. Different versions include address labels or blank.
• Choose an “Inside Envelope Template*: There are color and black-and-white versions. Different versions include writing prompts and picture space, Lines and picture space, picture space, and blank. Great for different grade levels and differentiation.
•  *You will print the front and inside templates double sided, OR print separately ,cut, and glue back-to-back**
•  Print and then cut out the envelope. If you chose black and white color it in.
•  Write your name on the Front side of the envelope on the blank in “_____’s Big Idea,”

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•  Where it says “To” and “From”, write who you are addressing your letter to andwrite your own name and information where it says from (Can use the opportunity to teach about how to address an envelope and how to write an address)
• Then, fill in the inside part of the envelope by either filling in the template, writing your own letter, or drawing a picture.

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• To fold, have the ”Inside” side of the envelope facing you, and then fold up the bottom part of the letter at the crease, and fold down the top flap at the crease so it is “Sealed” like a letter.

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Enjoy Your *My Big Idea* Letter Activity

• Write your letters and share them with friends and family to share your big ideas.
• Write your letters and send them to whomever you want o share your big idea with- the principal, the mayor, the president, your teacher, etc.
• Share your letters to inspire others to join you and help you make your big idea happen
• Display your letters to share your Big Ideas and how you will change your community and the world! 
• Write your letters to inspire you to create big ideas and create change in your neighborhood or community 

*~Overall, as always, I hope you all are staying safe and healthy, and are enjoying plenty of reading adventures! Tag me on Instagram @MaiStoryBookLibrary or FaceBook , find me on TikTokor contact me via email to share your own *Big Ideas* Crafts and your own reading adventures! I’d love to hear from you and learn more about your amazing ideas!~*

*~Until next time, Happy Reading~*