Read, Learn, Play: Petunia

It's time to read a classic picture book aloud to your little children. Petunia​ is a charming story that has delighted children for generations. 

​Petunia is a silly goose who finds a book. She thinks that owning a book will make her wise. Unfortunately that's not true and she becomes puffed up with prides and dispenses terrible advice that brings harm to the other animals on the farm. 

​A terrible accident humbles Petunia who decides to learn to read so that she can discover true wisdom. 

​Yes, Petunia learns a life lesson that just happens to be biblical: Pride is bad; humility is good. 

​Once you've read ​Petunia​ aloud to your little ones, it's time to have some hands-on fun together.

​Here are some suggestions: 

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Are there any geese living nearby? Go visit them. 

​Look at pictures of geese. Compare them to ducks. How are they alike and how are they different. 

​Geese fly in formation. What does that formation look like? Learn about it. 

​Name all the farm animals in ​Petunia. ​Everyone share their favorite and why? 

​What caused the terrible explosion?

​Pretend to be a goose. Walk like a goose. Honk like a goose.
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Draw a picture of a goose. 

​Color a picture of a goose.

​Find all the books in your house. Can you count them or are there too many?

​What is your favorite book? Why?

​How can books make you wise? Look at books that teach us wisdom, especially the Bible. 

​Why does Petunia want to learn to read? Do you know anyone who is learning to read? How to people learn to read?

Copy A, B, Cs on paper or on a white board.   

Play with magnet letters. 

​Make letter shapes out of playdough. 

​What lesson does Petunia learn? How does she display pride? What causes her to be humble? How can all of us be humble? 

​Memorize a Bible about "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6 & I Peter 5:5). 

​Happy Reading & Learning!

Warmly, 
​Meredith Curtis

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