Before the story: build curiosity
Spend a little time with the cover. Ask what the child notices first, who the characters might be, and what could have happened just before the scene.
Predicting is not about being right. It is an invitation to imagine and begin making meaning before the first page.
- What do you think Farofa is preparing?
- Which colors do you notice first?
- How do you imagine the friends are feeling?
During the story: pause with purpose
You do not need to interrupt every page. Choose moments when an illustration, a character's decision, or a surprise naturally invites conversation.
- Invite the child to find one detail in the picture.
- Ask what they might do in the character's place.
- Try a sound, movement, or facial expression from the scene.
- Respect the moments when the child would rather just listen.
After the story: keep playing
The conversation can become a drawing, construction, painting, or brand-new scene. Let the activity grow from what caught the child's attention.
- Create one colorful paw print for each character.
- Draw a new surprise for the party.
- Invent another ending and explain how it begins.
- Choose a favorite scene and share why it stands out.
Participation can also be quiet
Some children answer aloud; others point, draw, repeat a word, or need more time. All of these are valid forms of participation. Welcoming reading offers possibilities without turning every page into a demand.