Hi everyone! How are you today? Did you have fun at school? Let’s sit down and enjoy a story together!
Today, we’re reading “Pearl Power and a Toy Problem” by Mel Elliott. Have you ever wondered if there are toys just for boys or just for girls? Let’s find out!
Pearl and Sebastian are best friends. At first, they didn’t get along, but then they became great pals. Pearl showed Sebastian that girls can do amazing things, like throwing a ball really far!
Now, they play together all the time, laughing and enjoying ice cream in the sunshine. If anyone says girls can’t run fast, Sebastian tells them about his friend Pearl, who is super fast and smart!
One day, while playing at Sebastian’s house, a boy named Jerome knocked on the door. Jerome had just moved next door and wanted to play with his dinosaur toy.
Jerome said, “Pearl, you can’t play with this dinosaur because you’re a girl.” But Pearl and Sebastian had a plan!
When Jerome wasn’t looking, Pearl and Sebastian painted his dinosaur pink. Jerome was surprised, but Sebastian explained, “Dinosaurs aren’t just for boys, and there’s nothing wrong with a pink dinosaur!”
Jerome thought dinosaurs were only for boys because of TV ads. But Pearl and Sebastian knew toys are for everyone!
Pearl and Sebastian decided to write a letter to the TV station. They wanted to tell them that toys should be for all kids, not just boys or girls.
They wrote about all kinds of toys, like tractors, dolls, and toy kitchens. They even talked about ponies and sparkly purses!
A few days later, they got a letter back. It said that from now on, TV ads would stop saying toys are just for boys or girls. Boys can play with dolls, and girls can play with trains. Everyone can enjoy any toy they like!
Pearl and Sebastian were so happy! They went to the store to buy their favorite toys. Pearl got a shiny red toolbox, and Sebastian picked a cuddly teddy bear.
They even decided to get Jerome a new dinosaur toy!
And that’s the story of “Pearl Power and the Toy Problem.” Remember, toys are for everyone, and you can play with whatever you like!
Thanks for joining us for storytime. We hope you enjoyed the book. See you next time!
Colorful Toy Exploration: Gather a variety of toys, such as cars, dolls, dinosaurs, and building blocks. Ask the children to sort them into groups based on color, size, or type. Then, discuss how each toy can be played with by anyone, regardless of these categories. Encourage the children to think about their favorite toys and share why they like them, emphasizing that toys are for everyone.
Create Your Own Toy Ad: Provide art supplies like paper, crayons, and markers. Ask the children to create a poster or a short video ad for a toy they love, making sure to show that the toy is for all kids. Encourage them to use phrases like “for everyone” and “fun for all” in their ads. Display the posters in the classroom or share the videos with the class.
Discussion Time: Ask the children some thought-provoking questions: “Why do you think some people believe certain toys are only for boys or girls?” and “How can we help others understand that toys are for everyone?” Encourage them to share their thoughts and ideas on how they can make sure everyone feels included when playing with toys.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
—
[Music]
Hi everyone! Welcome back to the Storytime Family. How are you today? Did you have a good day at school, or has it been a long day? Well, why don’t you sit down and read a book with us?
Today we have “Pearl Power and a Toy Problem” by Mel Elliott. Is there such a thing as boy toys and girl toys?
[Music]
Well, boys can play with girl toys, and girls can play with boy toys, right? There is no distinction between girl toys and boy toys, and that’s what this book is about. Let’s check it out, shall we?
Now, Pearl and Sebastian were best of friends. They weren’t at first, but soon they made amends. She started by saying that girls couldn’t throw far, but Pearl showed him how great girls are.
[Applause]
And now they play and act as a team, laughing in the sunshine while enjoying ice cream. If anyone said that girls couldn’t run fast, Sebastian would stand there completely surprised.
[Applause]
Then he would quickly tell them about his friend Pearl Power and how she showed him that he was once wrong, and that both girls and boys are clever and strong. That’s right, boys and girls!
[Applause]
One day, they were playing at Sebastian’s home when there was a knock at the door. It was a boy named Jerome. Jerome had recently moved in next door and had come around to play with his new dinosaur.
Jerome quickly said, “You can’t play with this, Pearl. This is a dinosaur; you are a girl.”
“Yes, of course, Pearl,” said Sebastian. “I’ll go and play with that pink toy.”
Pearl and Sebastian knew just what to do. When Jerome went off for a moment, they took his T-Rex and, in a bit of a rush, painted it pink with a swish of a brush.
“What have you done?” Jerome cried. “You’ve made my T-Rex all pink!”
“I think it looks pretty cute,” Sebastian calmly explained. “Toys like dinosaurs aren’t just for boys.”
Then he told him one thing more: “There’s nothing wrong with a pink dinosaur.”
“That’s right! What’s wrong with a pink dinosaur?”
Jerome replied, “Dinosaurs are boy toys. I learned all of this from an ad on TV.”
“Don’t listen to the stuff they tell you on TV,” said Sebastian.
Pearl and Sebastian didn’t know what to do. Jerome had been misled by the advertisements giving kids rules about toys. Toys are for everyone, and something had to be done.
[Applause]
Toy ads are not helpful, and we agree. So let’s write to the person in charge of TV!
They sat down to write an important letter, knowing that things could only get better. They wrote about tractors, Jerome’s dinosaur, dolls, toy kitchens, and more.
They told her about ponies and pink sparkly purses, and dressing as doctors and nurses. When they finished in their best handwriting, they posted their letter. It was really exciting!
A few days later, a letter came through. Pearl ran to her friends, “This is for me and you!”
They ripped it open quickly, hoping that someone out there would agree.
“Dear Pearl and Sebastian,
Thank you for your letter. I promise to make efforts to be better. I am sorry to children in the entire nation, and I’m banning these ads on my TV station. From now on, all toy makers will have to stop saying toys are for girls or for boys.
So boys can have dolls and prams, and girls can have trains. Boys who like sewing will not be called names, and girls can wear boots and play football. Boys can make bracelets too. Yes, toys are for all!”
Pearl and Sebastian jumped up with joy and went to the shop to buy their favorite toys. Pearl picked a shiny red toolbox, and Sebastian chose a teddy that would sleep on his bed.
“I know,” said Pearl. “Let’s get one more thing. Let’s get Jerome a new dinosaur!”
[Applause]
[Music]
And that was “Pearl Power and the Toy Problem.”
[Music]
Hope you enjoyed the book! Don’t forget to give us a like, subscribe, and click on the bell for more stories. Thanks for dropping by, and if you’d like to buy this book, the links are in the description below.
See you soon! Bye!
[Music]
—
Let me know if you need any further modifications!
