Do you feel like a polar bear today? Do you need some quiet time or just want to read a book by yourself? That's OK! We all feel that way some days. Polar bears can be cuddly, and peaceful or sometimes they may feel a little grumpy.
Perhaps today you feel more like a penguin. Are you ready for an adventure, or excited to go to school? That's OK too! Everyone has days when they feel more playful! Penguins often are silly, playful, and full of energy. Sometimes they may need to be reminded that it's time to be a Polar Bear and slow down or be careful.
Penguin or Polar Bear Which Will You Be? This book will help your child identify their feelings. You may even discover they want to pretend to be one or the other!
Note from Author:
In my family's early years, my two boys, Joshua, and Matthew weren't always sure if they wanted to go to school. Sometimes one or both would be a little sleepy and sluggish or forget to pack his school bag. To encourage them in a playful way, I started to ask them, "When you walk to the school bus today, will you be a penguin or a polar bear?" We talked about what they thought the characteristics of these animals might be if they were like human children. I would then ask them to decide which animal they felt like that day. Often one chose to be a penguin and the other a polar bear. They would gather up their school supplies and act out their chosen animal as they walked down our driveway to the bus stop. My polar bear would walk slowly with slumped shoulders and drag his feet. In a long-drawn-out melancholy way, he would announce, "I'm a polar bear today." My penguin would quickly gather his belongings and burst out the door waddling like a penguin all the way to the bus stop. He would wave to me and say, "Today I feel like a penguin and I'm ready for the day!"
This morning routine didn't eliminate all their anxiety about going to school. It did however allow them to identify their feelings. It was important to me that my boys understood their feelings were valid, and they were loved and supported regardless of the animal they chose. It became a silly and fun teaching game for our family. It is my hope that your family will enjoy this book and continue this tradition within your home.
Now it's your turn you tell me, penguin or polar bear which will you be?
Brenda Jones