Stephanie's Ponytail
By Robert Munsch
The Story
A girl with a distinctive ponytail watches her classmates copy her hairstyle no matter how she wears it, so she comes up with one final style meant to shake off every copycat.
Why It's Special
For the kid who notices exactly what everyone else is wearing (and has strong opinions about being first) — this one's about owning your own style.
- Big idea: Being original means staying a step ahead of the crowd, even when the crowd won't stop following.
- Vibes: Sassy, funny, and full of playground energy.
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy funny, exaggerated school stories
- are working on standing out and being themselves
- like to predict what happens next in a repeating pattern
- respond well to a bold, confident lead character
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: Why do you think everyone kept copying Stephanie's ponytail?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Stephanie felt when she saw her hairstyle on everyone else?
- Real-life connection: Has a friend ever copied something you did, like your clothes or a game you invented?
- Imagination: If you were Stephanie, what hairstyle would you try next?
