Gnatcatcher Publishing -- Parents and Teachers

Gnatcatcher Children's Books

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Dear Parents and Teachers,

This story shows how we all can choose to live in harmony by telling the truth about our feelings and apologizing for our mistakes. As you read with your children, you might ask them some questions:

How do you know when you’re having a problem?(I feel scared. I cry. I feel mad. I worry. I yell. My heart pounds. I don’t know what to do.)

What are some things you can do when you’re having a problem?(I can get quiet and think about it. I can take a deep breath. I can talk to an adult about my problem. I can talk with the person I’m having the problem with and listen to them. I can tell them how I feel and what I want. I can say I’m sorry.)

What was Sunny and Wondrous’ problem?(Each cat was afraid the other cat wouldn’t like them. Sunny wanted to come in. Wondrous didn’t want to share. They were afraid to tell the truth about their feelings.)

How did they solve it? (They took a time out. They wanted to be friends more than they wanted to be upset. They told each other the truth. They apologized. They agreed to be friends.)

We hope you and your children will enjoy our story and that your discussions about peaceful conflict resolution will reap satisfying results.

Sincerely,
Mary and Suji

Click here to see a lesson plan based on Sunny and Wondrous, Cat Cousins.

What's a Gnatcatcher?

The California gnatcatcher is an endangered blue-gray bird that lives in the protected hills around Suji’s house in Southern California. While living in this area, the real Wondrous became a contented indoor cat in order to do her part in preserving this species of small birds. The real Sunny didn’t really chase seagulls at the beach, either.