Ruby's True Colors: A Moose and Rabbit Story About Real Friendship

DEAR READER: Ruby discovered that the best friendships happen when you accept others exactly as they are. Different isn't strange—it's special! Being loud or quiet, fast or slow, bouncy or calm—all of these are wonderful ways to be. Draw a picture of you and your best friend! What makes you different? What makes you the same? QUESTIONS TO EXPLORE TOGETHER: Ruby is bouncy and Milo is calm. What are three ways YOU are special? How are you different from your friends? Ruby tried being quiet like Milo, and Milo tried being silly like Ruby. Can you think of a time you tried something new because of a friend? The story says friends are like tree roots and branches—different parts that help each other grow. What does that mean to you? COMING SOON: Milo the moose wishes he wasn't so different from other animals. But when he meets Clara the caribou, who's learning to love her own special way of being, they discover that what makes you different makes you extraordinary! Milo's Special Song: A Moose and Caribou Story About Self-Acceptance. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Before Reading: "Look at Ruby and Milo on the cover. How are they different from each other? Do you think they can be friends?" During Reading (Page 9-10): "Ruby is trying so hard to make Milo laugh. Have you ever tried really hard to make someone like you? How did it feel?" After Reading: "At first, Ruby thought being different meant they couldn't be friends. What changed her mind?" Application to Life: "Think about your friends. How are you different from them? How do those differences make your friendship more fun or interesting?" SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING FOCUS: Empathy: Understanding that different people have different ways of being, and that's okay Self-acceptance: You don't have to change who you are to make friends Flexibility: Good friends learn from each other and try new things Inclusion: Friendships can happen between unexpected people