PPBF: Evie's Field Day

Happy Friday; this morning I'm reminded that the fog always lifts because last night we went to the Homecoming Parade and were blessed to experience the larger-than-life excitement, anticipation, hope and joy of those spirited teenagers as they gathered, unified and celebrated.

This may sound weird, but I was overwhelmed with gratitude when some young ladies called out my name from their float in the parade. It felt so good to hear my name out loud. When I smiled and waved back at them, one of them said, "She was my counselor in elementary school." 

Be still my heart.

This week, more gratitude as I connected virtually with a VA school family; 

click {here} to watch our Embodying Empathy workshop presentation.

And now, front and center on the PPBF podium today ... 

Title: Evie's Field Day

Author: Claire Annette Noland

Illustrator: Alicia Teba

Publisher: Cardinal Rule Press

Birth Date: May 2020

Suitable for: ages 4-8

Themes: sportsmanship, empathy, compassion

Brief synopsis: A very competitive Evie seems to thrive on winning, but when Field Day comes along and winning at an event doesn't look promising, she might just discover that there is, indeed, more than one way to look at winning.

Opening page: Evie loved to win. She could jump the highest, run the fastest, and hop the farthest.

Resources: Enjoy an ASL read-aloud with the author {here}.

Read a Kirkus Review about this "lively read-aloud" {here}.

Read Susanna Leonard Hill's engaging review {here}.

Listen as the author discusses the book {here}.

Why I like this book:  First of all, the brilliant cover caught my eye. From the colorful letters in the title to the adorable child looking up at what appears to be her bluebird of happiness, I was intrigued and wanting to know more. Inside, a before, during, and after blueprint to guide its readers through the simple yet powerful race that they're about to run through Field Day with Evie. Inside, a gorgeous combination of gray and colored illustrations mixed with the ups and downs of the Field Day frenzy kept me engaged as I eagerly mapped out how I'd stop on every page to gather the coveted reflections from my learners, who would be more than thrilled to let me know what they do and don't like about that page. Then, a bonus in the back: 10 Suggestions To Help Your Children Learn Good Sportsmanship along with a suggestion for a few rounds of Good Sport/Bad Sport, a game we called Fair or Foul.   

This little gem is a picture-perfect addition to my 

colorful character-development collection. 

Compare and contrast it with You're a Good Sport, Mrs. Malarkey as you discuss what it means to be a good sport on and off the field, whether it's Field Day or not, at any age or stage in life.

Encourage your budding athletes to share a story about a time that

they wanted to win but they just weren't on track to win that day.

What happened? What did they learn from the experience?

How did they feel? Was it hard to lose graciously?

What would they change if they had a do-over?

How might changing their mindset help?

Show The Greatest, then talk about optimism and a winning mindset.

Finally, use this treasure to reflect on empathy, compassion, and kindness.

On human kind. And the human race.

What does it sound like, look like, and feel like

to win at the game of life?

To win at empathy?

To win at compassion?

To win at kindness?

Not just surface kindness but sacrificial kindness?

Whom do they know who runs life's race fueled by that kind of kindness?

Sounds like the perfect time for an Empathy Hero project, don't you think?

Check out this book, then head to Susanna Hill's blog for today's other PPBF picks.