The Secret Olivia Told Me

The Secret Olivia Told Me
by N. Joy
Illustrated by Nancy Devard

Universal Themes:
Cause and Effect, Conflict Resolution, Friendship, Integrity, Loyalty, Relationships, Respect, Sensitivity

Social skills, while usually "caught," sometimes need to be taught. The Secret Olivia Told Me is an elegantly simple book which illustrates the way in which a secret, once shared, is a secret no more. Like that old party game Telephone, the secret changes and grows as it spreads from person to person.

Before Reading Questions

• Who has ever had a secret that was just to good to keep to yourself? With whom did you share that secret?
• Who likes to hear secrets? What's the problem with hearing a secret? Is it easy to keep to ourselves?
• Take a look at our cover, both front and back. What' seems to be happening here? Have you ever seen this occurring at our school?

Summary

Olivia told me a secret
I promised I would not tell
It was such a great, big secret,
I thought my head would swell.

So begins this tale, simply told in rhyme, and beautifully illustrated in crisply drawn black silhouettes with selective white details. Of course the story's narrator cannot keep the secret to herself, so she shares it with just one more friend. As the story progresses, a red balloon metaphorically grows in size in the background of each picture, until it explodes in a rain of confetti at story's end. Although this story is entirely predictable, students love it for that very reason; they have, after all, been witness to this very same phenomenon. They are secretly hoping that the two girls can salvage the relationship before this thing gets too far.

Post Reading Questions

The Author's Note at the book's end provides the reader with several excellent questions for reflection (a great resource when sharing the book aloud, as well). I won't reprint them all here (you can see them for yourself in the book), but the one question which is key for any age group is this: "Are there any secrets you shouldn't keep?" This book is invaluable for the deep discussion which will result from that one question alone. And of course, it may prompt additional questions such as:

• Are there secrets that can be harmful if kept?
• Who are some people we can trust with our secrets, especially those secrets that make us uncomfortable?
• How do we know the difference between a good secret and a bad secret? Can you give an example of each?

Extension Ideas: Language Arts

• After hearing this poem read aloud, many students have wanted to share stories about secrets and secret telling. This is probably best handled as an optional journal prompt, since other children may have personal narrative to share on the concept.
• A simple acrostic poem using the word SECRET can give advice on how to be a better friend when it comes to keeping secrets.
• Discuss the purpose of advice columns in newspapers, and share an appropriate example with students. Then, provide two to three fictitious scenarios and allow students to respond with their advice. In which situations should they advocate secret keeping? In which situations should they advocate telling a trusted adult?

Extension Ideas: Social Studies

A number of picture books on spies and codes are available for those students who want to explore the world of "professional secret keepers."

Extension Ideas: Sunday School/Home School

The Bible contains a good deal of wisdom about the power of the tongue, and the need for it to be tamed. If you teach Sunday School, if you home school, or if you're seeking an idea for a devotional, check out this resource called Taming the Tongue.

The Secret Olivia Told Me is published by Just Us Books, founded by Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudson in 1988. This innovative, New Jersey-based company is now considered one of the leading publishers of Black interest titles for young people.

The Empty Pot

The Empty Pot
by Demi

Universal Themes:
Choices, Consequences, Honesty, Integrity, Virtue

Before Reading Questions

• Who has ever heard the expression that “honesty is the best policy”? What does that mean?
• How many of you have chores that you’re expected to do at home? How many of you complete those chores on your own, without nagging from your parents?
• Today’s tale is from China. Who can locate China on our map? What do you know about China?

Summary

The ancient Chinese emperor has decided that it is time for him to choose a successor to the throne. The flower-loving ruler decides that this shall be accomplished through a contest. Each child will be given a seed and told to do their best.

Ping, a young boy who also loves to grow lovely things, has great hope that he will be successful. Imagine his dismay, then, when he discovers that, despite the success of his friends, his own seed yields not even a single leaf.

Disappointed and ashamed, he approaches his father and asks for advice. His father tells him that he has done the best that he can, and that he has nothing to be ashamed of.

As the emperor examines the beautiful flowers brought before him on the final day, his face expresses nothing but disapproval. Finally, approaching Ping, he asks why the pot is empty. Ping explains that he did his best, but to no avail. The emperor then reveals that the seeds were cooked, and therefore could not grow. The contest was to find not the greatest gardener in the land, but the leader with the greatest integrity.

After Reading Questions

• Did the emperor ask each child to grow a beautiful flower? (He actually asked each child to do his/her best).
• What do you think the word integrity means? (Note: Integrity is often defined as “Doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” How is that definition exemplified in this story?)
• What other stories have we read that show a character acting with integrity?
• What advice did Ping’s Father give him? Has anyone ever given you advice like that?
• Can you think of a time when it would be hard to tell the truth? Why is it still a good idea to tell the truth in these situations?

Extension Ideas: Math

• Tangrams are Chinese puzzle pieces used to create both simple and complex pictures. Grandfather Tang’s Story by Ann Tombert is an excellent picture book which tells a simple story in both tangrams and conventional watercolor illustrations. (Also check out Tangram Magicianby Ernst). After sharing this story together, allow children to create pictures using paper tangram pieces. You may also wish to let them explore online tangrams.

Extension Ideas: Language Arts

• Create a class chart titled “Integrity is…” and allow each student to complete the sentence with a concrete example of integrity in action.
• Older students can make individual posters with that same theme, or write stories or poems which illustrate integrity at work.
• Have students research words that come from the same base word as integrity (integer, integral, integrate). How are all of these words related?

Extension Ideas: Science

• Encourage students to collect seeds from various foods at home and then plant them in class.
• As a class, remove the seeds a bell pepper. Cook half of them and then plant the cooked seeds in one container, and the uncooked seeds in another. Is it true that cooked seeds won’t grow? Older students can research to learn about some special seeds which actually require fire in order to grow.

Extension Ideas: Social Studies

• China has given the world an immense number of innovations including paper, noodles, and gunpowder. Have students research these and other Chinese firsts.
• Why was the Great Wall of China built? Was it effective? What lessons did the Chinese learn from this wall?
• Who are some famous Chinese Americans? How can we learn about others?