Hello, friends! How are you today? Have you been having fun and learning new things? I hope you’ve been reading lots of books too!
Today, we’re going to read a special book called “The Book of Zero” by Aima Mikes. Are you ready? Let’s begin!
Once upon a time, there was a happy neighborhood full of numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. They loved to play a game called Addition. They danced and sang together in the park.
But there was one number hiding behind the trees. It was Zero. Zero felt shy and lonely. It thought, “I don’t make a difference. No one notices me.”
Zero went to Mama Zero, feeling sad. Mama Zero noticed and took Zero for a walk.
“What’s wrong, my little one?” asked Mama.
“I want to play too,” Zero said with big feelings.
Mama Zero taught Zero a magic trick to feel better. “Pretend your belly is a big balloon. Fill it with air, then let it out. Do it again and again until you feel calm.”
Zero tried it and felt much better! “Thank you, Mommy. I love you!”
Mama Zero gave Zero some advice. “Go back and say hi to your friends. You are special and strong, just like all the numbers.”
Zero thought about it and decided to be brave. It went back to the park and said, “Hi guys! Can I play with you?”
The numbers were happy to see Zero. They played together, and Zero stood next to One to make 10. Then Two came, and they made 20, and so on. They played and danced for hours!
Zero was not lonely anymore. It learned that it was special and important, just like everyone else.
Remember, you are unique and one of a kind. Just like Zero, you have special powers. Be true to yourself, be kind, and always speak your mind.
Zero also has a fun trick: it can make numbers disappear! Look: 1 * 0 = 0, 35 * 0 = 0, 982 * 0 = 0. Isn’t that cool?
And that’s the story of “The Book of Zero.” Did you enjoy it? I hope it helped you learn about numbers and how special you are. Thank you for reading with us. See you next time!
Bye-bye!
Zero’s Magic Trick: Let’s explore Zero’s special power! Gather some small objects like blocks or toys. Try adding Zero to different numbers of objects. For example, if you have 3 blocks and add 0 more, how many do you have? What happens when you multiply the number of blocks by Zero? Discuss how Zero can make numbers disappear when multiplied.
Number Neighborhood Adventure: Create your own number neighborhood using paper and crayons. Draw the numbers 1 to 9 and include Zero. Imagine what each number might look like if they were characters. What kind of games would they play together? Share your drawings and stories with your friends or family.
Breathing Balloon Exercise: Practice the magic breathing trick that Mama Zero taught. Pretend your belly is a big balloon. Breathe in deeply to fill it up, then slowly let the air out. Do this a few times and notice how it makes you feel. Talk about how this exercise can help you feel calm and happy, just like it helped Zero.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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[Music]
Hi everyone! Welcome back to the Storytime Family. How are you today? Have you been good? Have you been learning lots of new and interesting things at school? I hope you’ve also been reading lots of books by yourself.
Today, we have a book called “The Book of Zero,” written by Aima Mikes. Let’s get started, shall we?
**The Book of Zero**
Once upon a time, there was a neighborhood of numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. They were all friends and liked to play. Addition was their favorite game. Out in the park, they danced and played, singing rhymes they had made.
“I love me, and I love you,” they danced around a lovely tree, keeping on smiling and jumping some more. Each of us is special to the mix; we’re amazing, and we will thrive!
Somewhere behind the trees, there was another number: it was zero, and it was hiding. Zero did not join in the game; it felt shy, sad, and lonely. It felt empty.
“How could I join in? I’m so scared. I don’t fit in. It doesn’t matter if I play; I make no difference anyway.”
Let me see: 1 + 0 = 1, 2 + 0 = 2, 3 + 0 = 3. It’s as if nobody notices me.
Zero went to Mama Zero but didn’t want to talk. Mama saw her little one was sad and took it for a walk.
“You seem upset, my little one. Is everything okay?”
“No, Mommy. I also want to play.”
Then big feelings came forth, and there is no doubt.
“I understand you feel upset. It happens to me too. Let me show you a magic trick that can always help you. Make your belly a big balloon. Fill it up with air. Think of all the bright moons and let the air out.
Do this simple trick, and magic happens in your brain. It soothes away your fear and pain. Repeat a few more times for as long as you wish, and see if your body feels calm, as if you’re swimming in the sea.”
“I do feel better! I really do! Thank you, Mommy. I love you.”
Then Mom and Zero shared ideas of what to do next time. After hearing the little one out, Mom knew it would be all fine. Mom hugged little Zero and gave some great advice.
“Why not go back and say hi? Greet your friends with a big smile. You have so much strength inside, my brave Zero. Just share your unique style. It’s not just Mommy saying this because she loves you.”
So now you know to take a breath and let your fear go. All numbers have a value; we zeros do too. Imagine a world without me or you. There would be no big round numbers. Think about the tens, the hundreds, the thousands, the millions—imagine not even billions! There would be no computer codes. What that means is no tablets and no phones.
We zeros make a whole lot of difference next to any number. We are very special and unique, like no other. All numbers are important in their unique way. We each look different, and that’s absolutely okay.
“I was shy too when I was little, so don’t waste another day. Enjoy the gift of life. Ask your friends to play.”
Mommy used to be shy. Zero thought a while, and then Mom was right. Yes, she’s right again! Zero gathered up its courage and knew it had a choice: to stay lonely, grumpy, and shy or find the strength to use its voice. It chose to stop hiding.
If it were you, what would you choose? Zero went back to the park and said with a firm voice, “Hi guys! Can I play with you?”
“Yes, of course! Come join us too!”
The numbers gathered close again. One stood next to Zero, and they made a 10.
“Wow, that is so cool! Together we are stronger!”
Next came two, and they made a 20, and then three, and it became a 30. On and on they played for hours, singing and dancing among the flowers. The numbers were happy; they had a new friend. Zero never felt alone again.
[Music]
And to you who are reading this now, remember the story and always know you are unique—one of a kind. There is no one in the world like you, and we’re all special. We can all thrive once we discover our strengths inside. Be true to you, always be kind, love yourself, and speak your mind.
Zero’s other unique power: I can make numbers disappear! Check this out: 1 * 0 = 0, 35 * 0 = 0, 982 * 0 = 0.
The end.
And that was “The Book of Zero.” How did you enjoy the book? May it have been helpful in helping you learn some numbers, or maybe now you know that you are special just like Zero. If you enjoyed this book, do give us a like, subscribe, and click on the bell for more stories like this. Show the author some love and own a copy of this book. You can purchase your copy with the links in our description below.
Thank you so much for reading with us! We’ll see you back here soon. Take care!
[Music]
Bye-bye!
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Let me know if you need any further modifications!
