Librarians are constantly on the lookout for free, high-quality resources that bridge the gap between entertainment and education. We know the drill: parents want “educational,” kids want “fun,” and you need something that is easy to execute.
Enter the Puppy Kisses Story Library.
This free, digital resource offers a collection of “School-First” stories designed to help elementary-aged children navigate social-emotional challenges and become better readers and writers.
Here is a complete guide on how to use these stories to host a “Read, Lead, Succeed” Family Event at your library.
Event Concept: “School Days & Big Hearts”
- Target Audience: Families with children in Grades 1-6.
- Goal: To model positive social interactions (SEL) while building literacy skills.
- Materials Needed: A projector (to show the illustrations), printed “Puppy Pack” character sheets (optional), and crayons/markers.
Step 1: The “Hook” (5 Minutes)
Start by introducing the “Puppy Pack.” Ask the children to raise their hand if they identify with one of the characters. This immediately gets them invested in the story.
- “Who here loves sports like Zach?”
- “Who loves drawing pictures like Tess?”
- “Who sometimes feels a little shy like Emily?”
Step 2: The Read-Aloud (15-20 Minutes)
Choose one of the core stories from the Puppy Kisses Story Library based on the theme of your event.
Theme A: “New Beginnings & Kindness” (Great for Back-to-School or New Year)
- Read: Cora’s Story.
- Why: It tackles the anxiety of being the “new kid” (Sunny) and the power of welcoming others.
- Librarian Prompt: “Pause when Cora offers Sunny the pink eraser. Ask the kids: ‘Why do you think that small gift meant so much to Sunny?'”
Theme B: “Teamwork & Resilience” (Great for STEM or Maker Events)
- Read: Tess’s Story.
- Why: Tess struggles with a Science Fair project and learns that “Better Together” is the secret to success.
- Librarian Prompt: “When the rocket fails, ask: ‘How does Tess feel right now? Have you ever worked hard on something that didn’t work the first time?'”
Theme C: “Courage & Understanding” (Great for Anti-Bullying Month)
- Read: Zach’s Story.
- Why: Zach deals with teasing about his lunchbox notes. The story models how to speak up and forgive.
- Librarian Prompt: “Zach feels embarrassed about his dad’s notes. Hands up if you love getting notes from your parents! Let’s tell Zach it’s okay.”
Step 3: The Activity (15 Minutes)
Transition from passive listening to active creating.
- For Cora’s Story: Have families create “Welcome Cards” for a hypothetical new student.
- For Tess’s Story: Set up a “Build It Together” station with blocks or LEGOs where families have to build a structure as a team.
- For Zach’s Story: “Lunchbox Love Notes.” Provide paper and markers for parents to write encouraging notes for their kids’ lunchboxes, and kids to write notes for their parents.
Step 4: The Take-Home Resource
Don’t let the learning stop at the library door. Provide parents with a handout (or a QR code) linking to:
- The Free Story Library: puppy-kisses.com (So they can read the other stories at home).
- The Free Short Story Builders: puppy-kisses.com (For parents who want to encourage writing at home).
Why This Works for Your Library
- It’s Inclusive: The stories cover diverse personalities (shy, outgoing, academic, athletic).
- It’s Free: No budget required for materials.
- It’s Scalable: Works for a small group of 5 or a large assembly of 50.
Ready to plan your event? Explore the full collection of stories at the Puppy Kisses Story Library and help your community’s children Read, Lead, and Succeed!
