The Most Important Thing

PreS-Gr 2–A group of animals, including a giraffe, hedgehog, elephant, and beaver, to name a few, debate the most valuable physical traits one can possess. Each animal has a different opinion; for instance, the rabbit believes long ears are the most important, as they allow one to hear danger, while the frog asserts that being green is far more significant, since it is easier to camouflage with one’s surroundings. Each animal’s declaration is featured on the left page, while on the right is the group’s repeated concurrence, but how can they know for sure? This page then folds out, revealing all members of the group with that new characteristic, such as being green or having long ears. The book’s conclusion reminds readers that all attributes are important and unique. There are numerous applications for this story in classrooms and story times, as its large fold-out pages of colorful illustrations are ideal for group sharing and are sure to elicit more than a few laughs. Each spread also features vocabulary-building text while reinforcing the theme that everyone has their own special, invaluable qualities.