[Invite several toddlers to read a book about a boy and the different things he does. Show the book cover and point to the boy and dog when you name each.]

Our book tells us about this boy. Here is the boy’s dog. The boy is hugging his dog.

Let’s look at the boy’s face.

• Do you think the boy is feeling happy or sad? (happy)
• What in the picture tells us the boy is feeling happy? (smile on face)

[Repeat and expand on toddlers’ comments. Point to and emphasize parts of the book’s cover picture that tell us what the boy is feeling.]

[Use the following strategies to share the book:

• Add your own words to the book text to describe and explain what is happening. Example: “The boy is crying because he hurt his knee.”
• Point out what the boy is feeling inside. Example: “The boy is feeling sad because his kite crashed.”
• Emphasize that the boy’s feelings change when different things happen. Example: “Here the boy is smiling and feeling happy. Oh no, his kite crashed! Look at his face. Is he feeling happy now? What is he feeling now?”
• Draw attention to the situation where the boy was angry because his friend was trying to take his ball. Emphasize that the boy and his friend talked, and talking with his friend helped the boy feel better inside.
• Acknowledge and build on toddlers’ comments and pointing. Examples: “You said ‘uh oh,’ Evelyn. The boy’s kite crashed.” “Wyatt said ‘owie.’ The boy fell off his bike and hurt his knee.”]

The boy in our story did many different things. Sometimes he felt happy. Sometimes he felt sad. He had different kinds of feelings.