- Title: A Rose for Abby
- Author: Donna Guthrie
- Reviewed at Nativity by: Mary Anderson
A Rose for Abby by Donna Guthrie (1988) is a simple but meaningful story about helping those less fortunate than ourselves. In this story, Abby sees an old woman looking through the trash for whatever she needs, most likely food. Abby is concerned, so she decides to help in some way. By enlisting the help of her father, who is a pastor, and the local grocer as well as other adults, she comes up with a plan to feed the homeless lady, Soon the whole neighborhood is engaged, and a soup kitchen is started. All of this came about because Abby saw a need and worked toward filling that need in her community.
This story is powerful, giving children an understanding of being compassionate, helping others less fortunate, and bringing together a community to make a difference for all. The ending is particularly sweet,and shows how even the youngest can give back to the community in a meaningful way.
This story is appropriate for kindergarten through third grade or even higher, as older children will be able to understand homelessness and filling community needs on multiple levels.
Activities for Classrooms:
- Children can decorate a brown paper bag, like the bag described in the story. It may help them to remember how important little things may be to those who are less fortunate. Inside the bag they can draw pictures of things that are important to them or they can draw picture of the things we all use everyday.
- Children can make a paper chain to show how we are all connected and can use the chain as a reminder of our community connections.
- Children can make a paper rose to give to someone special to show how much that person is appreciated.
- Children can talk about ways they can help each other in the classroom or at their school.
- Older children can collect canned goods for donation to the local food bank or the Interfaith Food Shuttle or to Pride Packs/Backpack buddies.
- Older children can visit a local soup kitchen with an adult to understand how the soup kitchen serves others.