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Rosy and Rory are the unlikeliest of friends. They are as different as the sun and the rain. Rosy is a dainty, delicate little bird, and Rory is a big, burly bear. They both love to explore together, and between them, they always find the most wonderful things. One day, Rosy doesn’t feel like leaving her nest, and Rory can’t understand why. They stop exploring together, but Rory never stops looking for wonderful things to share with his friend… until he finds the perfect thing. A sensitive and timely book about the importance of friendship.

English:

• Before reading the book, look at the front cover. Who is Rosy? What present might she be given? Where are the two characters?
• The book explains that Rosy and Rory are ‘as different as the sun and the rain’. Can you make up a new story about two characters who are very different?
• Make a list of the adjectives that are used to describe each character (e.g. dainty, delicate, big, burly).
• Retell the story from Rosy’s point of view and Rory’s point of view. How will each version of the story differ?
• Write a letter from Rory to Rosy after he shook the tree. What might he say to her?
• Write a letter from Rosy to Rory after he shares his gift with her.
• Write a conversation between the two characters. Write this using direct speech and reported (indirect) speech.
• Pick out the main events of the story and write them on cards. Jumble the cards and ask a friend to put them in the correct order.
• Read the author’s description of this book on his site. What questions would you like to ask him? The site also has a few downloadable activity sheets.
• Write an alternative ending in which Rory gives Rosy a different gift.
• Watch a ‘read aloud’ video based on this story. Here is an example. Could you make your own?

Maths:

• Find some gifts you could buy for a friend and work out the total cost.

Science:

• Write a report about a bird or a bear. Where do they live? What do they eat?
• At the end of the story, Rory shows Rosy a rainbow. Where do rainbows come from?

Computing:

• Make an animation of a bear and a bird moving together.
• Design a game in which Rosy has to find Rory.

Design Technology:

• Could you make some 3D models of Rosy and / or Rory?
• Design some new shelters for Rosy and Rory. What features would each shelter need?
• Design a box you could use to put a gift for a friend.

Art:

• Complete the activities on the author’s website – https://jonathanemmett.com/books/picture-books/a-present-for-rosy
• Follow the author’s instructional video to make a pop-up page – https://jonathanemmett.com/resources/make-a-pop-up
• Make your own illustrations of Rosy and Rory.
• Look at the page where Rosy and Rory are looking at the sunset. Use this as inspiration for your own sunset paintings.
• Create a collage showing Rosy and Rory looking at a rainbow.

Music:

• Compose a melody to accompany an animated version of this story.

Geography:

• Where might Rosy and Rory live? Look at a map and find suitable habitats for them.
• Make a map showing the locations in the story, and add labels indicating what happened in each place.

Religious Education:

• Learn about various religious festivals and celebrations in which gifts are shared.

Languages:

• Write ‘thank you’ phrases in different languages.

PSHE:

• Who is your best friend? Make a list of ways you are similar and different.
• Rory always cheers up Rosy when she is sad. How can you cheer up a friend who might be feeling unhappy?
• Rosy and Rory have a disagreement after Rory shakes her tree. Have you ever had an argument with a friend? How did you resolve it?
• Think of a meaningful gift you could share with a friend or family member.
• Plan a small act of kindness for a friend.
• Make a list of gifts that don’t cost any money to give.