Leo the Lightning Bug by Eric Drachman

Leo the Lightning Bug is a delightful story about how a lightening bug couldn’t make his light shine. His friends laughed at him, so he flew away and hid. Sitting in the dark, he remembered the words his mother told him. He would be able to shine his light, “with a little time and practice.” He went out into a thunderstorm and practiced until he was able to make his light shine.

As you read this entertaining book, you can talk to your child about:

1. Should we ever give up?
2. Self-talk – what are we telling ourselves?
3. The different emotions we have in our life.

(Please note – When I indent, I am answering questions and sharing insights just as if I were talking to a child.)

Should we ever give up?

Leo was practicing to make his light shine when his friends found him and started to laugh at him. How did Leo react?

    Leo was embarrassed. You can tell he was embarrassed because his knees felt weak and his face got hot.          

Have you ever been embarrassed?

Do you think Leo felt like giving up?

    He was sitting in a dark cave unsure of what to do. Then he heard his mother’s words, “with a little time and practice.” He decided to take charge and practice.

Do you think it was hard to practice in the storm?

    Lightning bugs are small and I bet those raindrops hurt. But he still kept trying until he succeeded even when he was afraid of the lightning.

Self-talk – what are we telling ourselves?

What did Leo tell himself when his mother told him his name meant lion?

What did he tell himself when he was angry?

What did he tell himself when he remembered his mother’s words?

    Our words have power in them. His mother’s words from the night before helped him get out of that dark cave. If we tell ourselves that we cannot do something, or that we are not important, things will happen to prove we are right. But if we tell ourselves we can do it, eventually we will do it. Always remember that you are important to me and I am proud to be your ——.

The different emotions we have in our life.

What were the five different emotions Leo had?

     Everyday we will go through different emotions. We can be happy one minute and sad the next. Remember the next time you are sad it will not be long until you are happy, angry, or even proud. You can choose your emotions and your actions. Why don’t we choose to be happy and do something nice for someone?

Teaching life lessons through stories allows us to share wonderful insights with each other. You will be surprised about the positive impact stories can have on your child’s life. It can be so affirming.

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