Circle of Good

Written by Samantha Berger       Illustrated by Mary Beth Nelson

As you share the story with children, talk together about what you see on each page.  

Pause to answer questions or discuss anything children seem particularly interested in.  

You might use the fourth “page” of the story, on which Chris explains why a person would hurt other people, as an opportunity to discuss this complicated issue. Consider these explanation and points:

• Sometimes a person who has never had anyone be kind to them will have trouble being kind to others. 
• There’s never a good reason to hurt others, though it sometimes happens.

Encourage children to notice the details on the last few screens, especially what the visiting birds are doing (reading the cards, relaxing in the bird bath, perching on Sesame Street friends’ shoulders, eating birdseed cookies, making friends with Slimey). How do the birds seem to be feeling? Why do children think they are feeling that way? 

After reading, ask, “What good things can you remember the Sesame Street friends doing in the story?” Then touch your index fingers and thumbs together to make circles and pretend they’re glasses. Tell children that these glasses are called goodness goggles, and show children how to make them with their hands like you. Explain that whenever they are sad or scared about something happening around them, they can put on their goodness goggles and look for the helpers and others who are doing good, just like Big Bird did in the story.