Today was the last library Book Bears meeting for the year. It was also the last Read-Aloud meeting for the year. Here’s what happened, or I should say, It happened like this…
Both books for the two groups were about wishes, which was coincidental. Book Bears read Snow Day in May from the Wish Library series.
It was outstanding. As soon as I arrived at the library my Book Bears couldn’t wait to tell me how much they loved this book. Two children read it twice. I did, too.
Our Read-Aloud book for the year was Wishtree. The storyline is deeper, and today I read aloud the final 30 pages.
At one point I stood up and yelled as I read the wonderful words in the text, and yes I cried in front of the children. They were silent, because they understood and felt the same way. There was so much that happened in those final 30 pages.
I asked the children what their wishes were. It was a perfect question after reading two books about wishes. Here are their wishes:
I wish I could talk to animals, then life would be perfect.
I want to understand what the wind is saying.
I wish everybody would like me.
I wish I could talk to characters in the movies.
I wish I could go ‘snap’ and go someplace else and disappear into that world.
I wish animals would help me, like if I needed to get out of a dungeon.
I wish I could make flowers wherever I put my hand.
I wish I were a vet.
I wish I could shapeshift.
Thank goodness for wishes.
Thank goodness for books.
Thank goodness for reading aloud.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
I love their wishes. And thank goodness for you!
That’s so nice, Darlene. Thank you!
😊
Fantastic, Jennie! Xx
Thanks, Ritu!
It never gets old, hearing about each year of new kids discovering the joys of your teaching.
Best wishes, Pete.
I’m so glad you feel the same joy that I do. Best to you, Pete.
I love these wishes!
Thank you, Alethea. They are remarkable. I grabbed my pen and couldn’t write down their words fast enough!
❤️
I’ll bet those children will all be reading books on rainy days this summer! The following wish would make a perfect beginning for a poem: “I want to understand what the wind is saying.”
I loved that one especially.
I’ve saved it in my ideas file to come back to later when I’m in need of inspiration.
Yes, I think they will be reading books this summer. I told the mother of the child who said the wish about wind (that wish blew me away. Pun intended) about her wish. She smiled and told me her daughter is quite the poet. I had no idea. Of course she is!
I KNEW there was poetry in that wish!!
Yes!! 😀
I wish I was a child in your class.
Awww… that’s so nice! Thank you, Ren.
This was soooo beautiful. Thank you Jennie.
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thank you, Flower.
Nice to hear to hear
Thanks
Those very young children think very deeply about things. There wishes make you realize that. You open them up to it and give them the opportunity to express themselves.
They do think deeply. We just need to ask them.
Lump in my throat, Jennie. I wish all their wishes come true.
I had the same lump, Don. I do hope their wishes come true.
Loved reading the wishes from your students, Jennie:)
They were amazing! Thank you, Becky.
I wish every teacher could be more like you AND I wish I could talk to the animals! Oh such wishes!!
Thanks so much, Sandra. I wish I could hear what the wind is saying. 🥰
Now that would be something! 🤗
🙂
Lovely wishes. Terrific books. Thanks, Jeanne.
Thank you, John. How was the wedding?
Graduation from college of oldest Granddaughter. It was fantastic.
Yes! I knew it was a graduation. Sorry, John. I’m glad it was fantastic.
😊
Thank goodness for a teacher who encourages her children to dream…
Thank you, Pam.
Wonderful, Jennie! Wishing you and all of the children a sensational summer filled with reading, dreaming, inspiring and being inspired.
Thanks so much, Bette! 🥰
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Thank you.
I love their sweet wishes and so glad you gave them this priceless gift of reading out loud.
Thank you, Beth! 🥰
Such a wonderful collection of wishes, Jennie 🙂 x
I was amazed, and I couldn’t grab a pen to write them down fast enough. The children watched me write, then they asked me to sign their little notebooks and write that they’re good readers. Of course I did! 🙂
I can image Jennie but what a lovely outcome for everyone …I still wish I was in your class such… lucky children 🙂 x
😍
When a book moves us to tears, that says a lot about the power of the writing. Certain scenes got me every time (Old Yeller and Where the Red Fern Grows immediately come to mind.) I think it’s healthy for kids to see us moved by books. I never felt ashamed or embarrassed when I cried when reading to them.
Yes, it does! There’s something bonding and rather wonderful about crying in front of children. Interestingly, when it’s time for a Jennie Story at school, they will often pick one where I was scared so they can rush over to me in the middle of the story. It felt the same way at Book Bears.
Book let those wishes come true, at least for a while in our imagination. You had a great day, Jennie.
I echo your wish, Dan. Stay cool this weekend.
What a sweet, magical post to read. I have always been an avid reader and now I want to read the Wishing Tree book! You are never too old for a children’s book. Precious about your students wishes. Glad I found your blog through Pete. I look forward to reading more.
You are right about Wishtree. It’s a book for everyone. Thank you, Joy (are you Joy?). Pete and I have been blogging friends for a long time.
Hi Jennie! Joy is my middle name and you are welcome to call me Joy or Carolyn.
Going to Amazon now to look up the book. 🙂
Thank you, Carolyn. The Wild Robot is a winner.
I so agree with many of the kids’ wishes!
BTW, there’s a wonderful post over on Pete Springer’s blog about his visit with you. How fun that he interacted with your class!
Thanks, Jacqui. He sent me the text of the post (which is fabulous) before he even posted it. Our visit was wonderful!! The hard part was waiting to write my own post, as he wanted to keep the two bloggers he visited a secret. I posted this morning!
That Pete is somethin’ else! I’m off to read your latest post.
He is, Jacqui! Many thanks.
These are some wonderful wishes. I, also, wish “I could talk to characters in the movies.” There is so much they need to know!
Yes!!
Elise here,! I just was reading it, and i love it!
Thank you, Kate! Elise, you are eloquent, very insightful, and have all the earmarks of a poet. I’m so glad you loved this!
Those are great books, and wishes!
Yes, they are!
OMG, those wishes were wonderful. Lol. I wish I could be a shapeshifter too! Thanks for the fun post and the giggles.
I was surprised at how thoughtful and genuine they were. The child explained to me that a shapeshifter can transform themselves into anything. Pretty cool! Thanks, Diana!
I read the wishes to my husband. I just loved their imagination!
I read them to my husband, too. The wishes felt like fairy dust had been sprinkled.
How lovely. Yes they did!
🙂
I just came across this post! Thank you for sharing SNOW DAY IN MAY with the Book Bears. I’m so glad you all enjoyed it. I adore all their wishes!
My pleasure! I’m glad you enjoyed their wishes as much as I did.
Thank you, again, Jennie. Hearing all those children’s wishes was a delight. I took a poetry class for a while, and was amazed when some of the – shall we say – rougher boys, attended and actually listened and wrote some interesting words too…They can be full of surprises if you give them a chance. But I don’t need to tell YOU that, Jennie, bless you.
I think giving them a chance and encouragement is the key. When I read their words again (thank you, Liz), I was re-inspired! thank you, Joy.
Very nice. Thank you. The Romans (and probably the Greeks too) always read aloud. Even when they were alone. I think (silent) reading started in the MIddle Ages with the “Moines copistes”, (Copying mists?) all gathered in a room copying different books.
Thank you!