SPECIAL MEMORY

Fiery five-year-old Emily is semi-cooperative when her mother announces the idea of making a SPECIAL MEMORY one summer morning. She doesn’t want to get used to getting up early for kindergarten. Despite herself, Emily finds dancing in the warm rain with her older sister and mother while wearing pajamas fun until the storm changes. Emily’s mother then pulls her daughters indoors and teaches them how special memories make a difference in our lives. Emily doesn’t think a SPECIAL MEMORY will help in kindergarten until her first day when she remembers sticky wet pajamas and hair, along with warm mud squishing between her toes.

Activities

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Illustrated by Adryelle Villamizar

Picture book

Re-Released Date: Feb. 2021

Published by Christina Francine

ISBN-978-1-63795-338-9

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Audible Sample

Like being read to?

Audio of Special Memory available.

Available in Kindle  Limited time for .99 cents

Teaching Guide

Special Memories contains questions and activities that can be done together after reading.

The following is a small excerpt:

Discussion Questions:

  1. How are the mother and daughters alike? (comparison)

  2. How does the main character, Emily, feel about going out into the rain? Find an illustration which supports your answer (focus on the character's facial expression/s). Find something she says (focus on words). (comprehension)

  3. What would you do if your mother wanted to take you dancing in the rain? (application)

  4. Which part of the story made you laugh the most? Worry the most? (analysis)

  5. How would the story change if the lights hadn't gone out? (synthesis)

  6. What special memories do you have to help you through bad times? (evaluation)

Coloring Pages

Free to download and for non-commercial use.

Click here to download a printable PDF.

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Praise for

Special Memory

"Special Memory is a modest story about helping an apprehensive child overcome her worry. It sounds easy enough. Create a special memory to help balance the fear. This tender story confidently illustrates the notion in a way that will be heartening to both child and adult. Parents will thank Christina Francine for her accessible gift of wisdom, which hides a transformative life skill in its gentle pages."

— Nina Fosati, Literary Author and Editor