The Important Thing

At this time of year when priorities can easily become confused, a certain book comes to mind. I’ve mentioned this book before, but it’s a classic and deserves to be mentioned again.

The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown has been around for over fifty years, and it still hasn’t lost its charm. The illustrations by Leonard Weisgard are a combination of bright colors and black and white drawings that compliment Brown’s rhythmic text. It’s a perfect book to share with a child. It celebrates the importance of the world around us − the simple things. When the book ends, the story need not end. You can continue by telling about the things you think are important. It’s fun. Give it a try.

With Christmas just around the corner, here’s my important thing.

The important thing about Christmas is the presence of love. It’s a time for family and friends, a time to share, and a time to laugh. But the important thing about Christmas is the presence of love.

What’s your important thing?

What’s Important?

What’s important? The Important Book written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Leonard Weisgard is. It’s been around since 1949, and it’s still popular today.  That says a lot for a book!

I’ve used this book year after year with my students. The book lends itself to discussions and provides a springboard for writing activities. Repetition plays a big part in making this a great book to share. Each page of the book follows a pattern.

Look at what some of my second graders wrote.

The important thing about a goldfish is that it swims. It is gold and small. It lives in a bowl full of water. And it has gills for breathing. But the important thing about a goldfish is that it swims.

-by Sydney

The important thing about school is that you have recess. You have lunch. You have math. You read. You write. But the important thing about school is that you have recess.

-by Henry

The important thing about gold is that it is shiny. It is the color of the Green Bay Packers! Leprechauns love gold. It’s worth money. But the important thing about gold is that it is shiny.

-by Andrew

I decided to share in the writing fun.

The important thing about families is that you are there for one another. Sometimes families make you laugh. Sometimes families make you cry. Families pull together during good times and bad times. But the important thing about families is that you are there for one another.

-by Me

Speaking of families, we went to visit our daughter over spring break. We stayed eleven days. That’s almost four times as many days as Ben Franklin said visitors should stay. In his words, “Fish and visitors stink after three days.” We took showers. We didn’t stink, but we stretched the limits of our stay. What can I say? We love our daughter! She’s family. And during our overextended visit, we picked up a new family member.

A wonderful man asked our daughter to marry him. We’re thrilled! We now have one more person in our family to be there for.

That’s the important thing!