I Like to Be Little

When her mother asks why she likes being little, a young girl answers back with a list of the small, particular joys of childhood that grown-ups tend to overlook.

For the kid who's always being told to hurry up and grow — this one lets her explain, in her own words, why little is good.

• Big idea: Childhood has its own pleasures worth defending, not just a stage to rush through on the way to being big.
• Vibes: quiet, conversational, tender

• like to talk back about grown-up assumptions
• are working on putting feelings into their own words
• enjoy quiet one-on-one conversations with a parent
• respond well to gentle, slower-paced stories at bedtime

• Real-life connection: What's your favorite thing about being little, like the girl in the story?
• Feelings & empathy: Why do you think her mother asked her that question in the first place?
• Imagination: Is there anything you're excited to do when you're bigger?
• Story & problem-solving: What are some of the things she says she likes about being little?