Hello, friends! Today, we’re going to have a fun story time together. Our special book is called “Thanks” by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman. Are you ready to hear a wonderful story about Bear and his friends? Let’s get started!
Once upon a time, Bear was sitting all alone in his cozy cave. He listened to the wind outside and felt a little bored. Bear missed his friends and thought, “I could make a big dinner to share with them!” But when he looked in his cupboard, it was empty. Oh no!
Just then, Mouse came by with a yummy huckleberry pie. Bear was so happy and said, “Thanks!” But Bear felt a bit sad because he didn’t have anything to give back.
Mouse said, “Don’t worry, Bear! You don’t always need to give a gift back. It’s okay to just enjoy what your friends bring.”
Next, Hare came hopping in with a big batch of muffins. Bear said, “Thanks!” again. Then Badger showed up with even more tasty treats from his fishing trip. Bear was so grateful and said, “Thanks!”
Suddenly, Gopher and Mole popped up from the ground, and Owl, Raven, and Wren flew in. Bear was surprised and a little worried because he still had nothing to share.
But his friends said, “Bear, don’t feel bad! We love being with you, and you have stories to share with us!”
Bear’s friends hugged him tight, and Bear felt happy. They all sat together on a soft quilt, sharing their delicious food and stories. Everyone was thankful for their good friend Bear.
Bear realized that sometimes, just being together and sharing stories is the best gift of all. And everyone said, “Thanks!”
Wasn’t that a lovely story? Remember, you don’t always need to give gifts to your friends. Sometimes, sharing a story or spending time together is the best gift you can give. Thanks for joining us for story time. See you next time!
Story Sharing Circle: Gather in a circle with your friends or family and take turns sharing a short story or a fun memory. It could be about a time you felt thankful or a happy moment you experienced. Notice how it feels to listen and share stories with each other. What did you learn from your friends’ stories?
Thankfulness Tree: Create a “Thankfulness Tree” using a large piece of paper or cardboard. Draw a big tree with branches. Cut out leaf shapes from colored paper. On each leaf, write or draw something you are thankful for, like a friend, a favorite toy, or a fun activity. Attach the leaves to the tree. How does your tree look when it’s full of thankfulness?
Friendship Picnic: Plan a small picnic with your family or friends. Each person can bring a small snack or drink to share, just like Bear’s friends did. During the picnic, talk about what makes each person special and why you are thankful for them. How does sharing food and kind words make you feel?
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hey! Oh my god, I’m Craig Tobey, and welcome to Story Time with Ryan and our special guest reader, Aidan. Remember, if you like what you see, click subscribe, give us a like, or leave a comment. You can ask us anything!
Have you ever seen a bear in the wild? Ooh, great question! Today’s book is “Thanks” by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman. Let’s get started!
“Thanks” by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman. All alone in his cave, Bear listens to the wind. He is bored and misses his friends. “I could make a big dinner, a feast I could share,” but he looks through his cupboard, and the cupboard is bare.
Then Mouse stops by with a huckleberry pie, and Bear says, “Thanks!” Bear says, “Goodness me, a delectable pie! But I have made nothing,” he adds with a sigh.
“Oh, Bear, don’t be so down on yourself! Just because someone gives you a gift doesn’t mean you need to get them one. You know, none of my friends have ever made me a pie.”
Then they hear, “Hi-ho!” and they both see Hare with a big batch of muffins at the door. Hare hurries in from the cold, rushing wind, and Bear says, “Thanks!”
“Of course,” says Hare. Then he points to the door. “Here comes Badger!”
“He’s got even more!” says Badger as he comes inside, smiling wide. “Back from a stroll at the old fishing hole!” And Bear says, “Thanks!”
“Hey, how did everybody know to bring food to Bear’s house? Are they all communicating somehow?”
“Yeah, like sending letters or do they have phones?”
“Oh, it’s probably from the birds!”
“Yeah, it’s like the Twitter of the forest!”
Then Gopher and Mole tunnel up from the ground. There’s a flap and a flurry in the den when in flutters Owl with Raven and Wren.
Bear mutters and stutters, wearing a big frown. Bear sighs and moans and plops himself down. “You’ve brought yummy treats; you’re so nice to share. But me, I had nothing; my cupboards are bare.”
“Bear, stop being so down on yourself! Your friends are going to come through.”
“Exactly! You don’t always have to give your friends gifts just because they’re being nice. Sometimes you can just relax.”
“That’s right! I’m trying to relax.”
“Well, Craig, get us some pie!”
“Nobody said there’d be pies!”
“Oh yeah, you did! Ryan said that you would make pie.”
“Guys, I’m not here to fulfill your orders!”
“Okay, I’ll have a nice hot piece of pie with a little whipped cream on top and some ice cream on the side.”
Mouse squeaks, “Don’t fret! There’s enough, dear Bear. You don’t need any food; you have stories to share.”
His friends hug him tight.
“Alright,” and Bear says, “Thanks!”
They lay out their feast on a quilt on the ground, and Bear takes a seat while his friends gather round. In a cave in the woods, in a warm bright layer, the friends feel grateful for their good friend Bear. They pass around platters, they tweet and they chatter, and they all say thanks.
“See? That’s what I’m talking about! You don’t always have to get your friends stuff. Sometimes you can just share a nice story.”
“You know, one time a guy shows up…”
“Wait, what are you saying?”
“Well, I was going to tell you a story.”
“Thanks for listening! ‘Thanks’ by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman.”
Well, thanks for watching Story Time with Ryan and Craig! If you loved that book and want to see more, please click subscribe. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We’ll see you next time!
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Let me know if you need any further modifications!