Sweety
by Andrea Zuill

Sweety's grandmother calls her a square peg. Even though she does not really know what that means, Sweety knows she doesn't fit in with the other mole rats. None of her peers seem to appreciate her interpretive dance book reports or warrior princess dolls. With a little help, can Sweety embrace her inner oddball and stand tall as the most unique mushroom in the flower bed?

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Listen to the story

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Do a craft!

Take-and-Make cardboard animals kits can be picked up curbside starting on February 2nd.
Call or email the library at 426-3581 or [email protected] to schedule a pickup.

NOTE: If you have not registered for the craft portion of this series, you can still do the craft following the instructions found here.
For animal templates for this project, click here.

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Big Ideas & enduring Understanding

• Embrace who you are and stay true to yourself.
  
• Try new and unique hobbies.
  
• Seek out people who understand you.
  

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Dig a little Deeper

Beyond the Book: Ideas, Questions, Projects, and Connections:

• Watch Andrea Zuill talk about the book in a video specially created for Vermont students.

 

• Learn more about naked mole rats!  https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/news/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-naked-mole-rats.
  
  
• Design/draw a naked mole rat tunnel system after reading the fourth and fifth paragraphs of https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/naked-mole-rat. Include a nursery, pantry, and toilet chamber.

• Build tunnels and chambers in the snow like a colony of naked mole rats!

 

• For pictures and activities to explore the amazing world world of fungi: http://beetlesproject.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Fungi-Exploration.pdf
  

• What unique hobbies or traits do you have?
• How can you be true to yourself?
• How might you find your “people?”
• What makes Sweety different from the other mole rats?
• How do Sweety’s feelings about being “a square peg” change throughout the book?
• What are some of Sweety’s hobbies that you would like to try?
• Try one!
  • 1. Make and then decorate a cake with lots of icing and frosting.
    
  • 2. Make a doll with a unique outfit and describe its personality.
    
  • 3. Create your own interpretative dance (this can be done outside) to Sweety or another one of your favorite Red Clover nominees.•
    
  • 4. Draw a mole rat with clothing, accessories, and a wig or hat.
    
  • 5. Create a secret handshake with a family member.