Section activities

Lay down on the ground and have someone trace the outline of your body on a big piece of paper (or with chalk on the sidewalk). Now inside the outline write down all of the character traits that make you a good friend like James Henry Trotter.

Do you know someone who has had a parent die (like James) or have you had a death in your family? Using our empathy we know and understand what a difficult and life changing experience that is for people. Write a letter or make a card for someone you know who is grieving (experiencing the feelings of having a loved one die) and let them know you are thinking about them. Letting people know they are not alone is a powerful way to help and show kindness.

Go on a scavenger hunt in your house and yard. How many items from the book can you find? Bonus points for the following: peach, centipede, earthworm, grasshopper, glow worm, spider, ladybug, and a silkworm.

The centipede is mean and disrespectful to the cloud men. The cloud men become upset and a whole series of events happens. What could have prevented this conflict? If you were there what could you have said to the centipede when he started saying mean things to the cloud men (how could you be an upstander)? What could the cloud men have done differently, instead of responding with aggression? Make a poster or write a poem about ways to be an upstander or peacemaker.

There are several instances in the book where someone is frightened, nervous or upset. Using positive thoughts or a positive mantra (something you say/repeat to yourself) is an effective strategy to help calm you down. What is something you say to yourself to calm down (OR what is something you COULD say). Write the words down on a piece of paper and then decorate it with things that make you feel happy.

Go on an adventure in your backyard! Recreate the story in your imagination in your own backyard. Invite your family, pets or neighbors to join in.

James and the insects all use their own personal strengths to help in different ways in the book. Make your own puzzle using James and the insects’ names (or pictures) on each piece. Be sure to include a piece for yourself and your family and friends, if you’d like. Our community is like one BIG puzzle. We are all important pieces and we each have something to contribute.

Visit a peach orchard with your family. See if you can find the biggest peach! Measure it or weigh it to see how big it actually is.

What do you think the little green crocodile tongues look like that the old man gives James? See if you can find some items in your yard that look like that.

What objects can you use at home to lift a peach or piece of fruit off the table? Race a family member to see who can come up with an idea first.

Next time you bite into a peach try mindful eating. Remember mindfulness is when we are only thinking about the here and now (being in the present moment). Mindful eating is when all we think about while we are eating is how the food tastes. Really concentrate on the taste of the peach on your tongue and on your teeth as you bite into it. Take some time to really focus on the sensation of eating the peach. We can practice several forms of mindfulness including mindful breathing, taste, touch, listening, smell. See how many of these you can do each week. Mindfulness can be used as a coping strategy when we are having strong or uncomfortable feelings. It is also helpful in increasing our joy and happiness when we are enjoying something and having fun!