For Educators

Teacher guides and discussion prompts

Each book below has a teacher guide to download, read-aloud discussion prompts, or both. The author bio, book facts and press contact are on the Press page.

Max Learns to Be a Gentleman

Cover of Max Learns to Be a Gentleman. Max, a young Black boy in a bow tie and suspenders, carries a bag of groceries while a smiling woman rests her hand on his shoulder at a front door. A badge reads Book 1 in the Max & Maggie's Family Values series.

Ages 2–6 · Paperback

Teacher guide

Download the teacher guide (PDF, 1.5 MB)

Read-aloud discussion prompts

  1. Max sees his dad pull out a chair for his mom. What did his dad notice? How do you think his mom felt?
  2. What does it mean to be thoughtful? Can you remember a time someone was thoughtful to you?
  3. Max helps his sister and holds the door. What small things can you do to help at home?
  4. Being a gentleman means noticing others. Who could you notice and help today?
  5. How do you feel after you help someone? How do you think they feel?

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Maggie Helps Mommy

Cover of Maggie Helps Mommy. Maggie, a young Black girl with curly hair and a bow headband, stirs a bowl of cookie dough while her smiling mom scoops dough onto a baking sheet in a warm kitchen.

Ages 2–6 · Paperback

Teacher guide

Download the teacher guide (PDF, 1.4 MB)

Read-aloud discussion prompts

  1. Why can't Maggie and Mommy bake cookies right away?
  2. What did Maggie notice when she looked around?
  3. The basket was too heavy for Maggie. What could she do?
  4. What was the best part of Maggie's day?
  5. How do you feel when you help someone? Is helping ever hard?

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