Guiding Questions for Parents.

Before Reading — “Look at the cover together. What do you think this story might be about? When have you felt the way this character might feel?”

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Invite your child to look at the cover and make predictions. Ask what they notice. This activates curiosity and gets them emotionally ready for the story ahead. There are no wrong answers — the goal is to get them talking.

During Reading.

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Pause at key moments and ask: “What do you think the character is feeling right now?” or “What would you do if you were in that situation?” Let your child lead — follow their curiosity rather than steering toward a lesson.

After Reading.

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After closing the book, ask: “What part stayed with you?” or “How did the character show Cooperation?” Then: “Can you think of a time you did something like that?” This is where the real conversation begins.

🌿 Virtue Connection: Cooperation means choosing to contribute to something larger than yourself.

About the Story.

This guide is part of the Values & Virtues library — a free collection of 400+ book guides and activities organized around 12 core virtues for children from pre-K to 6th grade. Each guide includes Guiding Questions designed to open a real conversation with your child in 10 minutes or less.

Read-aloud video · Best with headphones

Summary: Meg’s mother enrolls her in Maker school so Meg can pursue her interest in “boxitecture”- making structures out of boxes. Meg was the school’s first “boxitect” which made her feel important, until Simone, another talented “boxitect” joins the class. Their relationship is painfully competitive, especially when they are challenged to build a structure together for the annual Maker Match. Megan learns a lesson about the benefits of cooperation as she and Simone learn to combine their talents to successfully create an impressive structure. They don’t win the contest but they become good friends. The book includes instructions for those interested in becoming a “boxitect.” Note: the word “boxitect” was invented by the author.

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