A 15-minute storytime companion
A rainbow story
to share together.
Read The Adventures of Miss Bonkypants: The Rainbow Bounce, revisit a favorite moment, then dream up a tiny adventure of your own.
For families, caregivers, and library hosts. Bring the book and a little imagination.
Bring along
- The book: a copy to read from.
- Something to draw with: paper and crayons or colored pencils.
- Optional: a page from the free coloring pack.
Make room for everyone
Listeners can speak, point, draw, or simply listen. These activities work seated. Keep the pictures in view and let everyone join in their own way.
Your storytime plan
A flexible guide for about 15 minutes
Start with the cover.
Show the cover. Read the title and creator credits, then share: “This story began with a family making up bedtime adventures together in Harrisburg. Today we'll meet Miss Bonkypants, then imagine an adventure of our own.”
Choose one opening question:
- “What do you notice on the cover?”
- “What might a rainbow bounce look or sound like?”
Take two or three short responses. A quiet way to join: trace a rainbow shape in the air with a finger.
Follow the adventure.
Read from the book at a comfortable pace, showing the pictures as you go. Enjoy the story without stopping on every page.
If your listeners like guessing, pause once when Kippy needs help:
- “What do you think Miss Bonkypants might try?”
Hear a few ideas, then continue to the book's ending.
Reading times vary. If you need longer, shorten the coloring activity or finish it later. Leave time for the ending.
What stayed with you?
Pick one or two questions that suit the group:
- “Which picture or moment would you like to see again?”
- “When Kippy needed help, what did you notice about Miss Bonkypants?”
- “What sound would you give the wobbly rainbow?”
Pointing to a picture is an answer, too. Try “Tell me more about that” if someone wants to keep talking.
Invent a tiny adventure.
Color a little of a printable page, or sketch a new character on plain paper. You can finish the picture afterward. Offer these prompts one at a time:
- Where is your character going?
- Who might need a little help there?
- What could your character try?
An adult can write the child's chosen sentence under the picture. At home, take turns adding one sentence. In a group, invite two volunteers to share a title or a sentence.
Stories can stay private or be shared with a caregiver later. Everyone gets to choose.
What will you call it?
Invite anyone who wants to share a title for their adventure. Close with: “You can finish your picture later, or tell someone what happens next.”
Try the same three prompts another day with a favorite toy or an entirely new character.
With a bigger group
Display one coloring page and invite ideas together. You can skip handing out supplies during the reading.
With a smaller group
Offer a turn to anyone who wants one. Let the conversation and drawing follow your listeners' interest.
Take a little rainbow home.
The free three-page coloring pack is ready for a kitchen table, a reading corner, or another shared story.