I'm Best As Me (Playing with Angels)
Playing With Angels Series
What’s inside...
Teaching what he learned about the game of soccer to the Angels was Eddie's main goal. In the end he learns that instead of trying to copy how the professionals play it's always best to just be yourself.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
0-12
Length
26 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What is your favorite part about being yourself, just like the characters in the book?
If you could help someone like the angels did, who would it be and why?
How did the characters in the story show kindness and compassion to each other?
What makes you different from your friends and why is that special?
Can you think of a time when you felt proud for being true to yourself? What happened?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use a warm and inviting tone to make the child feel comfortable in expressing their thoughts and opinions about the book.
Relate the themes of the story to the child's personal experiences to deepen their understanding and connection to the story.
Encourage the child to think about personal instances where they have demonstrated unique qualities or helped someone, linking these to the book’s themes.
Praise the child for their unique traits and reassure them that it's wonderful to be themselves, mirroring the positive reinforcement seen in the book.
Discuss the illustrations and ask how they think the pictures help tell the story, fostering a deeper engagement with the visual elements of the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Self-acceptance
Explanation: The story emphasizes the importance of embracing one's unique qualities through the character's journey of self-discovery.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate their own strengths and differences, fostering a positive self-image.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: As characters interact in the story, they show understanding and compassion towards each other's feelings and situations.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to be considerate and understanding towards others, skills which are vital in forming healthy interpersonal relationships.
Example Lesson: Courage
Explanation: The protagonist faces challenges with bravery, demonstrating that courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to act despite it.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to face their own challenges with bravery, whether it's trying new activities or standing up for what's right.
Example Lesson: Imagination and Creativity
Explanation: The imaginative play and scenarios in the book highlight the power of creativity and its role in problem-solving.
Real-World Application: This lesson inspires children to use their imagination in everyday life, boosting their creativity and ability to think outside the box.
Example Lesson: The value of friendship
Explanation: Collaborative and supportive interactions between characters shed light on the importance of building and maintaining friendships.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of cooperation and mutual respect in friendships and are encouraged to cultivate these qualities in their own relationships.