MaiStoryBook Library

MaiStoryBook: Our Table + *My Family Table* Craft

by MaiStoryBook

Introducing an endearing story about treasuring time shared together~ featured in the MaiStoryBook Library Collection:

“Our Table” by Peter H. Reynolds

*~Click here to purchase your own copy of “Our Table” to start on your own reading adventure! (This is an affiliate link~ a small percentage of your purchase will go to MaiStoryBook to help create Reading Resources for your littles)

Book Synopsis/ Review

Violet and her family used to eat meal together, gathered around the table, telling stories and talking, and sharing laughter and love. However, lately, everyone has been doing their own thing~ alone. Separate screens pull family members apart in separate ways: Dad watches TV, Mom is on the phone, brother is on the iPad. Soon, Violet witnesses their family table shrink, and finally disappear due to lack of use. Determined to get her family connected and back together, Violet creates a plan to help build a new table to start building new memories and sharing time together again.

Peter H. Reynold’s simple yet provocative text creates a story of creates an sweet story and important reminder about the value of being present, and cherishing time spent together with loved ones. The illustrations mirror the emotions in the story, transforming from a solitary color as Violet lingers around her home alone, to a lush rainbow of colors as the family comes together again around the table. This is a tender ode to the value of traditions with a universal message of gratitude.

Vocabulary

  • fondly (p. 1) to do something in a loving and caring way
  • double-take (p. 15) to look back at something again quickly after not really noticing it at first
  • vanished (p. 23) disappeared, completely gone
  • carpentry (p. 27) making or fixing things out of wood
  • marvel (p. 38) be filled with wonder or surprise

Themes / Main Idea

  • Celebrate and prioritize time shared and spent together with loved ones. Be present in the moment.
  • Share gratitude and thanks with and for your loved ones. Reflect on who and what you are grateful for.

Interactive Read Aloud Strategies

  • Ask littles to focus on the colors of the illustrations. How do they change through the story: from multi-color, to a solitary color, to back again
  • Connect: Does your family eat together at the table? Are there times when your family does things all separately on their own, and times when you all come together?
  • Share a memory where you and your family spent time together.
  • Highlight the emotions in the story. How does Violet feel when the color changes? How does she feel when she sees her family members alone on their devices? How doe she feel at the end?
  • Predict what Violet is going to do when the table vanishes
  • Movement activities: Act out gathering food, cooking food, and preparing the table in the beginning of the story. At the end, act out building the table: hammering, sawing, stacking material.

YouTube Video: Guided Shared-Reading Read Aloud Example

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXIgTHN2jwY

Subscribe: MaiStoryBook Youtube Channel for more *interactive* read aloud videos!

*My Family Table* Craft

Growing up, we always ate dinner together as a family growing up. Even when we went out with friends for the day, it was expected that we would be home for dinner, to eat together as a family and talk and share about our day. The evening was family time. Sometimes, I was frustrated by the early curfew, wanting to spend more time and eat out with friends, but reflecting back, it was a special time that I cherish. This is a tradition I want to implement with mai own future family~ to have that special time, gathered together, sharing a meal, and sharing laughter and conversation. November is a season for food and family~ and this precious story reminds us of the importance of valuing and cherishing both. Encourage your littles to reflect on their family memories and time spent together with their family with the bookish craft inspired by the story. Make your own Table Crafts, and share special family memories and moments with each other. Check it out down below!

Materials

Directions

  • Choose a “Table Cover” template. There are colored and black and white versions. There are 2 different Style headings. A fancier font, and a basic font
  • If you chose the black and white version, color in both pieces.
  • Write your name in the blank to personalize the craft. Ex) “__Maya’s__ Table.”
  • Cut out both pieces of the Table Cover Template: The Label and the Actual Table. The Inside Template will go in between the two pieces and attach them together.
  • Next, choose an Inside Template. There are 5 different differentiated templates available in colored versions, or black-and-white versions.
  • Options include written and picture responses, picture only responses, writing only responses, headings with blank, or blank
  • Fill in the Inside Template by answering the prompts about your family.
  • Cut out the Inside template **Keep the top and bottom tabs on! Do not cut them off*
  • To connect the Inside Template and Table Cover, fold back the two tabs. Tape or glue the front side of the bottom tab to the top-back of the bottom half of the Table cover. Then, tape/glue the front side of the top tab to the bottom-back of the top half of the Table cover.
  • Next, fold the top half of the Table cover about 2/3 way down, folding the Inside Template behind. Fold the bottom half of the Table Cover up to meet the top half so that the top of the table connects with the bottom of the top label half, folding the Inside Template behind.
  • The Inside Template should fold in on itself as you close the Table cover halves to make it a whole Table Cover, and then when you open the Table Cover, your Family Responses will be revealed!

Enjoy Your *My Family Table* Craft

  • Share your family table with friends and family and talk about special family favorites and memories.
  • Share your family table and ask friends and family to share their own special family memories and traditions.
  • Use your craft to inspire you to spend some extra time with your family, eating a favorite meal together or doing a special activity.
  • Share ideas of different topics you like to talk about as a family for your next table-time conversation.
  • Display your crafts for a festive gathering and food display, and to remind each other of the importance of sharing time together.

*~ I hope you are enjoying plenty of *inspiring* reading adventures this year, Mai Friends! Tag me on Instagram @MaiStoryBookLibrary or FaceBook , find me on TikTok, or contact me via email to share your own *My Family Table* Crafts and your own reading adventures! I’d love to hear how you are changing the world!~*

Enjoy More SEL Read Aloud Videos Here!

*~Until next time, Happy Reading