I am dedicating this book to the first grade me. I want to tell her that her choice to be friends with someone despite differences will always be a good one. I want to dedicate this to the boy in the story, and my first grade teacher, and all the people in my life who have helped me realize who I am meant to be. I want to dedicate this book to the reader, for furthering inclusion and promoting acceptance.

Preview audio:

storyj.mp/agenczaz9qma

Bailey sat down at her table group of 4, but there were only 3 students.

Bailey's teacher came and told her table group there was a new student and he would be joining their group.

Bailey was excited there would be a new student, but he began acting in a curious way and it made her nervous. She began to cry.

EEeeee Woooo

Her teacher tried to console her but she said she wanted to change table groups and did not want to sit by the new student.

The teacher brought Bailey into the hallway and had a good conversation with her.

Kindness, acceptance, inclusion, differences, uniqueness

The teacher said "this new student may act differently than you in order to handle new situations. But, different is not always bad. It is just different."

The teacher said "let's stay at this table group and give it a try before you move groups so quickly. You never know what he is like until you meet him."

The teacher said "the new student may also learn at a different speed than you so sometimes an adult comes and helps out. Isn't that cool!"