While reading this book, you get a sense of life in the Great Smoky Mountains through the tone of the book. I think of questions to ask the children that may help them relate to the book. Do you have any animals? Have you lived on a farm or been to a farm? Have any younger siblings? Seen wild berries and plants as they hiked through the woods? Name some of the animals that are mentioned in the book, and have they ever encountered one themselves? What is a comfort food that you could put milk in or butter on? Have you ever had fresh milk? Does your family can food? If so, what do they can? What elements of nature are listed in the book that set the tone for the season in the book (acorns, leaves, etc.)? Have you ever visited the Great Smoky Mountains? I know these are not open-ended questions, but these are questions to help the children engage and relate to the book, to get them thinking about the questions to come.

Open-ended questions to ask would be "How different is life now than it was in the book?", "What are some special characteristics of where you live for your family? Why?", "Do any of the things mentioned in the book relate to their life personally? How?", "How do the mountains make you feel?", and "Can you describe the mountains through your senses? (How does it smell, how it sounds, how honeysuckles taste, how it looks, how do the trees feel)".

By enabling children to apply the story's themes, characters, and circumstances to their own experiences and cultural backgrounds, open-ended questions about this book can help foster cultural understanding. As children consider various viewpoints and ideas, these questions help them develop empathy and a greater understanding of diversity. Additionally, by encouraging children to share their own cultural viewpoints, open-ended questions foster a classroom climate that values and celebrates a variety of experiences, giving children a sense of community and cultural understanding.

This is a fascinating story, I find that books set in familiar places catch the attention of readers. When I heard Avery Co. mentioned, I felt a sense of pride and was enamored with the story. My mom's side of the family is born and bred Appalachia for hundreds of years and to read a story mentioning that side made me proud and really connected me to the story here.

Some open - ended questions I might ask are, "Why do you think there was no library in this part of North Carolina?", "What kind of books would you check out of the book mobile?", "How did Miss Dorothy change these people's lives?".

1. How do you think living near the mountains is different from living near the coast of NC?

2. What is your favorite thing about NC?

3. The Lost Colony is still a mystery. What do you think happened to the early settlers that disappeared?

4. If you could visit any place in NC, where would you go and why?

• what are some things that are big in north carolina?

• what do you love about where we live in nc?

• what do you see in this picture?

• how does this part of the book make you feel?

• would you like to go to this place?

• what does love mean to you?

• how does your family show that they love you?

• what other words can we use to describe love?

All of these questions would be excellent to ask and discuss with young children who have an awareness of NC.

2.) How would you feel about walking on a bridge that swings?

3.) Hush puppies are yummy! Would you like to find a recipe for them?

4.) Are mountains taller than the grass?

5.) What would you do if you saw a baby black bear next time your playing in the woods?

6.) Dinosaurs! Who knows what a dinosaur who only eats plants is called?

I could also ask questions that help children make personal connections, such as, “Does this remind you of something you do with your family?” or “What looks the same or different from where you live?” Since the story describes life in the mountains, questions like “What do you notice about the setting?” or “Why do you think the author liked living in the mountains?” would encourage discussion about place and environment.

I like this book for open-ended questioning because it is calm, reflective, and focused on everyday moments. The illustrations and simple text give children plenty to talk about and interpret in their own way.

1. Why do you think Seabiscuit acted that way?”

2. “How would you feel if you were on the island with the ponies?”

3. “What do you notice about the ponies’ behavior?”

4. “What do you think will happen next?”

These kinds of questions help children think about the story, make predictions, and connect the story to their own experiences. I chose this book because it tells a true story about ponies in a fun and exciting way. This book supports engagement in reading by encouraging conversation, helping children practice thinking and speaking skills, and making the story feel interactive.