Lilly’s heart leaps when her adored teacher, Mr. Slinger, reveals to his class of mice that he is going to marry Ms. Shotwell, the school nurse. “It will be the biggest day of my life,” she tells herself, confident that she will be his flower girl. In her bedroom, she practices holding her head high, smiling brightly, walking very, very slowly, and humming “Here Comes the Bride.” “Did Mr. Slinger ask you?’ asks Lilly’s mother. “Not yet,” Lilly says, unfazed. Just in case her teacher hasn’t figured out her heart’s desire, she draws a portrait of herself as the “World’s Best and Most Famous Flower Girl.” Poor Mr. Slinger has to break it to her that his own niece, Ginger, will be taking on the official job, though he kindly offers Lilly the chance to be her assistant. On the big day, when the music swells, Ginger gets stage fright and freezes, “still as a stone.” Lilly's quick thinking saves the wedding.

If your children have never been to a wedding and want to know more, go to www.weddingchannel.com to see pictures of flowers, invitations, fancy clothes, and, best of all, fancy wedding cakes. Have them practice walking down the aisle, and break into Interpretive Dance, doing the Flower Girl, just like Lilly. Introduce the irrepressible Lilly in the companion books, Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, Julius, the Baby of the World, and Chester's Way. Go to the author's website at www.kevinhenkes.com to find printable activity sheets, recipes, and a link to purchase the CD, “Lilly's Big Day and Other Stories,” containing unabridged readings of nine of his wonderful mouse tales. For additional ideas, you can download the Lilly’s Big Day Activity Booklet and also The World of Kevin Henkes, Judy Freeman's free teacher's guide to seven of his most popular picture books. Go to www.harpercollinschildrens.com/HarperChildrens/Teachers and type “Lilly’s Big Day” in the search bar.


Themes: COOPERATION. DETERMINATION. HELPFULNESS. MICE. PROBLEM SOLVING. TEACHERS. WEDDINGS.