Squirrel's New Year's Resolution - By Pat Miller | Kids Books Read Aloud

Summary

In this heartwarming story, Squirrel embarks on a journey to figure out how to make a New Year's resolution. After consulting Bear, Skunk, Mole, Turtle, and Porcupine, Squirrel learns that resolutions can be about helping others or improving oneself. Throughout the story, Squirrel assists her friends with their resolutions and eventually realizes that she has been helping others all along. By the end of the story, Squirrel embraces her own resolution, with the support of her friends, marking the start of a joyful new year.

Takeaways

• 😀 Squirrel learns about New Year's resolutions and decides to make one.
• 😀 Bear explains that a resolution is a promise to oneself to improve or help others.
• 😀 Bear's resolution is to teach Skunk how to read once Skunk feels better.
• 😀 Skunk, who is sick, wishes she could learn to read, which becomes her New Year's resolution.
• 😀 Squirrel cheers up Skunk by playing their favorite game, 'Hide and Skunk.'
• 😀 Dr. Owl tells Skunk that laughter means she's feeling better, and she can now visit Bear.
• 😀 Squirrel helps Mole and Turtle with their resolution to plant a garden by finding a perfect spot.
• 😀 Porcupine's resolution is to be less grumpy, but he struggles to find things that are funny.
• 😀 Squirrel helps Porcupine by sharing a funny joke, which makes him laugh and feel better.
• 😀 Squirrel realizes that helping others is her own New Year's resolution, though she hadn't decided on one initially.
• 😀 Rabbit points out that Squirrel's actions of helping others already show that she has made a resolution.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the story 'Squirrel's New Year's Resolution'?

The main theme is about making resolutions at the start of the new year and how it involves improving oneself or helping others. It also focuses on the importance of helping friends and using one's skills to make a positive impact.

What does Bear's New Year's resolution involve?

Bear's New Year's resolution is to teach others how to read, and he plans to start by teaching Skunk as soon as she gets better.

How does Squirrel help Skunk feel better?

Squirrel cheers up Skunk by playing her favorite game, 'Hide and Skunk,' which makes Skunk laugh and helps her feel better.

What resolution does Mole and Turtle have, and how does Squirrel assist them?

Mole and Turtle's resolution is to plant a garden. Squirrel helps them by finding the perfect spot for the garden and assists them in staking out the borders of the garden.

Why does Porcupine seem grumpy at the diner, and how does Squirrel help him?

Porcupine is grumpy because his resolution is to be less grumpy and laugh more, but he struggles to find something funny. Squirrel helps him by telling a joke that makes Porcupine laugh.

How does Squirrel feel when she realizes she hasn't made a resolution yet?

Squirrel feels left out because all of her friends, including Bear, Skunk, Mole, Turtle, and Porcupine, have made resolutions, and she hasn't thought of one yet.

What advice does Rabbit give Squirrel to help her make a resolution?

Rabbit advises Squirrel to think of a way to improve herself or use what she's good at to help others, which helps Squirrel come up with her resolution.

How does Squirrel's resolution manifest in her actions throughout the story?

Squirrel's resolution manifests in her helping others, like cheering up Skunk, assisting Mole and Turtle with their garden, and making Porcupine laugh. She helps someone every day, which ultimately reflects her resolution.

What is the significance of the moment when all the animals celebrate Squirrel's resolution?

The moment is significant because it shows that Squirrel's actions are more important than words, and by helping others every day, she had already fulfilled her New Year's resolution without even realizing it.

How does the story reflect the importance of community and friendship?

The story highlights the importance of community and friendship by showing how the animals support each other in their resolutions, helping one another with their goals, and celebrating each other's successes.