Lilly's Big Day



Last updated Saturday, June 3, 2006

Author: Kevin Henkes
Date of Publication: 2006
ISBN: 0060742364
Grade Level: 1st    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jun. 2006

Synopsis: Lilly?s teacher, Mr. Slinger, announces that he is going to get married to Ms. Shotwell, the school nurse. Lilly is ecstatic about the news and is already making plans to become the flower girl. Lilly attempts to show Mr. Slinger what a great flower girl she is by practicing walking down the aisle in front of him. However, Mr. Slinger has not asked Lilly to become the flower girl and in fact tells Lilly that his niece is to become the flower girl. When Lilly becomes upset, Mr. Slinger offers her the role of flower girl assistant. At the wedding, Lilly is prepared to help out Ginger, Mr. Slinger?s niece, if anything fails. And as the big moment arises, Ginger is frozen and Lilly comes to the rescue.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Has anyone ever been to a wedding? What was it like? Who got married?
•  Have you ever been in a wedding? What did you do?
•  What is a flower girl? What does she do and wear?
•  What happens at a wedding? Are there different kinds of weddings?

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Why did Lilly want to become the flower girl?
•  How did Lilly try to show Mr. Slinger that she would be the best flower girl?
•  What did Lilly do when she found out someone else was the flower girl?
•  Why was Lilly disappointed? Have you ever felt let down by a grown-up? Have you ever let someone else down or broken a promise?
•  Why do you think Ginger was frozen and could not walk down the aisle?

Craft ideas:
•  Draw a picture of a wedding.
•  Make mouse masks and reenact the wedding scene.
•  Draw a picture of Lilly as the flower girl.
•  Make a wedding or party invitation.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!