Have you ever walked into a room and wondered, “Do I belong here?” Jacqueline Woodson’s The Day You Begin reminds us that sometimes our differences make us feel like we don’t belong, but sharing our stories can help discover all of the connections we have with each other. Now families and educators can experience this story in more than one way!
READ IT!
Read this beloved story again and again. Pay attention to the characters’ feelings, experiences, languages, traditions, and the moments when they begin to find connections as a new school year begins.
WATCH IT!
To kick off the back to school season, PBS has turned this amazing story into a 44-minute special that you and your little ones will love to watch! Use the story as an opportunity to talk about identity, belonging, differences, and what makes each of us unique. Whether your child is in preschool like Zora or beginning kindergarten like the book characters, this special will quickly become a favorite!
GO BEYOND THE BOOK!
Use the Beyond the Book guide below to find activities to do before and after reading, child-friendly vocabulary, dialogic reading questions, and extension activities designed to build language and literacy skills while having meaningful conversations.
Check out this amazing book from your local library or purchase from our Bookshop or Amazon storefronts. Happy reading and cheers to the beginning of a new school year!
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