For parents, teachers & librarians

Read-aloud guides

Every Timblemoon book was written to be read out loud to a room. Each guide gives you one question to open with, three to talk about afterwards, the lesson the story carries, and something to do together. Free to print and copy.

Book 01 · Lantern Night

Pip's Small Light

Before you read: Ask before you begin: what is the smallest light you can think of? A nightlight, a firefly, a phone screen in a dark room?

  1. 1Pip thinks his lantern is too small to matter. Have you ever felt too small to help?
  2. 2What changed on the hill when everybody lifted a light at the same time?
  3. 3Who in your own family or class is good at lifting other people's lights?

A small light still counts — and lots of small lights make a bright hill.

Try together: Turn the room lights off and let each child hold up one small light while you say the chant together.

Story & chaptersGet the book

Book 02 · First Snow

Soot Bakes It All

Before you read: Ask before you begin: what is the biggest job you have ever tried to do all by yourself?

  1. 1Why does Soot keep saying he can do it all himself?
  2. 2How do the villagers help without making Soot feel bad about needing help?
  3. 3What is a job at home that goes faster when everyone pitches in?

Nobody does it alone — asking for help is part of doing the job well.

Try together: Bake or build something in stages, giving every child one step so the finished thing belongs to all of them.

Story & chaptersGet the book

Book 03 · Christmas in Timblemoon

What Bram Gave Away

Before you read: Ask before you begin: what is the best thing you have ever given somebody else?

  1. 1Bram wanted that gift very much. Why did he give it away anyway?
  2. 2How do you think Puff felt when the box turned out to be his?
  3. 3Is a present still a present if nobody sees you give it?

The gift you give away is the one you remember all year.

Try together: Have each child make one small paper gift for somebody else in the room and deliver it quietly.

Story & chaptersGet the book

End every reading the same way

Timblemoon, Timblemoon, up the hill and up with the moon!

Lift your light, however small,

Timblemoon has room for all.

Hear the chantPrintable coloring pages