Hello, my wonderful reading friends! Are you ready for a fun story? Today, we’re going to read about a girl named Darcy and her special day with her daddy. Let’s find out what happens in “Hammer and Nails,” written by Josh Bledsoe and illustrated by Jessica Warrick.
Darcy had a fun day planned with her best friend, but her friend got sick. Darcy felt sad and thought her day was ruined. But then, her daddy had an idea! He suggested they have a “Darcy Daddy Day” and do fun things together from both their lists.
First, it was Darcy’s turn to choose an activity. She picked dress-up! Daddy was excited and asked if they should dress fancy or super fancy. Darcy chose super fancy, and Daddy even squeezed into her tutu! They laughed and had a great time.
Next, they decided to play Hair Salon. They curled, sprayed, and brushed each other’s hair until they looked fabulous. Darcy and Daddy both loved their new hairstyles!
After that, it was time for a laundry battle! They matched socks and had lots of fun. To celebrate, they danced around like royalty and then took a rest with ice packs.
Daddy then suggested they fix the fence around Darcy’s “castle.” Darcy was a bit nervous about using a hammer, but Daddy encouraged her to try. Soon, she became the best nail-pounding princess in the kingdom!
Finally, it was time for manicures. Darcy chose a bright green color, and Daddy picked a cool black. They painted each other’s nails and had a blast trying something new.
At the end of the day, Darcy and Daddy looked at each other with smiles. They realized that trying new things can be really fun! Darcy thanked her daddy for the wonderful day, and Daddy was proud of his brave princess.
I hope you enjoyed our story today! Remember, sometimes things you’ve never done before can be the most fun. See you next time!
Create Your Own “Special Day” Plan: Just like Darcy and her daddy had a special day, think about what activities you would like to do with someone special. Make a list of three fun things you can do together. Draw pictures of each activity and share your plan with your class or family. This will help you think about how to make any day special by trying new things!
Hammer and Nails Craft: Gather some safe materials like cardboard, yarn, and plastic hammers. With the help of an adult, create a simple “castle” or “fence” by weaving the yarn through holes in the cardboard. Pretend you are fixing your own castle just like Darcy and her daddy. This activity will help you practice using tools and being creative!
Observation and Sharing: Think about a time when you tried something new and it turned out to be fun. Share your story with a friend or family member. Ask them if they have a story about trying something new too. This will help you understand that trying new things can lead to exciting adventures and help you learn more about the people around you!
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hello, my wonderful reading friends! It’s Annie, and I’m so glad that you’re part of my reading family. Are you ready for a story? Darcy had a really fun day planned for her and her best friend, but then her friend got sick. Will Darcy’s day be ruined? Let’s find out as we read “Hammer and Nails.” If you have a copy, go get it so you can read along with me.
In this book, I have two amazing guest readers: my granddaughter Callie and her daddy, my oldest son. “Hammer and Nails,” written by Josh Bledsoe, illustrated by Jessica Warrick, and published by Flashlight Press.
Darcy crumpled up her playday plans and hopped onto her bed. Her best friend was sick, and now Darcy’s entire day felt ruined. Daddy overheard her grumbling and knocked on her door. He had a list of his own. “Hey, squirt! I’ve got an idea. How about having a Darcy Daddy Day?” Darcy scowled, “What does that mean?”
“Well, we do one thing from my list and then one thing from your list until everything on both lists gets done.”
“Oh, Daddy, I don’t know if you’ll like doing the things on my list.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Daddy interrupted. “Give me a chance! Just uncrumple your list and come downstairs. It’s coffee time!”
“Can it be chocolate milk time for me?” she asked.
“Sure thing,” Daddy answered.
Next, it was Darcy’s turn. The first thing on her list was dress-up. “But fantastic!” Daddy said. “These PJs are so unfashionable. Were you thinking fancy or super fancy?”
Darcy grinned, “Super fancy!”
“Excellent!” Daddy disappeared for a few minutes. Darcy was digging for a red slipper when she heard, “Ta-da! Is this fancy enough?”
Darcy giggled, “How did you fit in my tutu?”
Daddy laughed, “It wasn’t easy! Now, Princess, I hope you don’t mind getting your gown dirty. Meet me on the porch in five minutes. It’s Her Majesty’s mowing service!”
After several sharp turns and zigzags, Darcy was amazed at what they created. “Daddy, is that my name in the grass?”
“Indeed, it is, my lady! This is your castle!”
Darcy beamed, “This is fun! My pick now! We need to freshen up. It’s time for Hair Salon!”
Daddy agreed, “I’m definitely un-fresh, and my hair is a wreck!”
After curling, spraying, combing, and brushing, Daddy had a daring new style, and Darcy had an even more dazzling do. “We look fabulous!” announced Darcy.
“Totally fabulous!” answered Daddy.
“And now I’m choosing laundry! It’s time for battle, Princess! Take no prisoners and leave no sock unmatched!”
To celebrate their victory, Darcy called for dancing in the kingdom. Then Daddy called for ice packs in a royal rest. After a picnic lunch and a quick cleanup, Daddy fetched his tool belt from the garage.
“Now, Darcy, I don’t know if you’ll like—”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Darcy interrupted. “Give me a chance!”
“Fair enough! We’ll need to fix the fence around your castle. Take this hammer and follow me. I’ll tap the nails into the loose boards, and you will pound them in.”
Darcy’s eyes got big. This was harder than riding the mower or folding socks. What if she missed the nail or smashed her thumb?
Daddy adjusted his headband and smiled. “Princess, sometimes things you’ve never done end up being fun. Try it!”
Darcy nodded. After a few practice taps, she got the hang of it and became the best nail-pounding princess in the kingdom. “Castle secure!” she announced when the last board was fixed.
Darcy dusted off her hands and noticed her nails. “Okay, Daddy, the last thing on my list is the best! It’s time for manicures!”
This time, Daddy’s eyes got big. “Nail polish seems so permanent, not like a funny outfit or a wacky hairdo.”
Darcy adjusted her tiara and smiled. “Daddy, sometimes things you’ve never done end up being fun. Try it!”
Daddy nodded. After trimming and filing, it was time for polish. Darcy chose a lima bean green, and Daddy chose Lumberjack black. After a few smudges, Daddy got the hang of it and became the best nail-painting daddy in the kingdom.
As their nails dried, Darcy looked at her silly daddy with his crooked headband and grass-stained tutu. Then she looked at her own grass-stained gown and purse full of tools.
“Daddy, thank you for my Darcy Daddy Day!”
“My pleasure, princess! You were great with that hammer!”
Darcy and Daddy learned that things they’d never tried before can be fun. I hope you enjoyed our story today! See you next time!
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Let me know if you need any further modifications!