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Little Red Sleigh
Last updated Friday, December 3, 2021
Author: Erin Guendelsberger
Date of Publication: 2020
ISBN: 1728223555
Grade Level: 2nd (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Dec. 2021
Synopsis:
The Little Red Sleigh has one big dream - to one day become Santa's big red sleigh! But all her life, she's been told she's too small, she's too young, she can't fly, and she certainly can't meet Santa. Well, this Christmas, with the help of some friends, she's determined to do the impossible.
| Note to readers: |
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The Little Red Sleigh is an underdog tale about a sleigh who wants to be famous and great. She goes on a journey of self-discovery and grows to understand how to make her life as “great” as she dreams it can be.
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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What do you think it means to “dream big”?
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What are some big dreams that you have?
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Do you think you can have all kinds of dreams, big and small?
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What other kind of “underdog” stories can you think of where the main character is up against all odds?
Vocabulary:
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Treacherous: dangerous, risky
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Rickety: likely to fall over or fall apart, shaky
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Grime; dirt clinging to or rubbed into a surface
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Gradually: happening one small step at a time
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Nestled: placed or pressed in a snug or loving way
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Stock cars; on a train are used to carry livestock to market
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Vast: very large in size or area
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Cordially: warm and friendly, courteous
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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The Little Red Sleigh wished that she could be as big as the Train and drive as well as the Yellow Truck. What did the Train and Yellow Truck both tell her about how they got to be that way?
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What advice did the Train and the Yellow Truck give her? (Be patient. Life builds up one at a time)
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What was the Little Red Sleigh’s big dream in the beginning of the book? (go to the North Pole) What did she realize she was meant to do at the end of the book? (build her life up by spreading joy one child at a time)
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What do you think the Little Red Sleigh meant when she said “this is what it feels like to fly”? Do you think she meant physically flying down the hill or was it more of a feeling in her heart?
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What are some of the life lessons that she learns? (believing in yourself, overcoming odds, and the magic of Christmas
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| Special activities: |
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Later, the kids can ask a parent or sibling to help them write a thank-you note to someone they appreciate: for example, a friend, a teacher, a doctor, a neighbor, or someone in their family. Tell that person what you like about them and why you appreciate them.
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*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!
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