There are certain books that are timeless and this is one of them. This book was originally published in 1932. This book is about about a little boy who is seeking a birthday present for his mother. He visits many animals along his way and each animal offers him something but what he winds up giving his mother at the end is a hug for her birthday. What I loved about this book is that material items can always be bought but there are some things you can never buy in a store or online, and that’s a hug from your special little one. Especially in today’s society, I find that there is such an emphasis on “stuff” and “toys” that we sometimes lose sight of what’s really important, having that closeness with your child. One thing is for sure, my children would rather have my time and attention more than any toy.
The language concepts to work on this book are discussing various animals, the function of various animals (e.g. “What do you get from a cow?”), sequencing (“first, then”), feelings (e.g the other animals were scared to visit the bear) and exploring new vocabulary (e.g. secret). Many preschool children may not know what a “secret” is so this would be a great time to talk about it. You can retell the story and even talk about birthdays and what they would get you for your birthday! Definitely talk about how hugs and kisses are priceless, the greatest lesson to learn.