past the bakery, through the park,
and along the canal. On the way,
they passed an old man sitting on
a bench. He looked very tired.
"I love you, old man," said Dimitri.
"Who are you calling old?" snapped
the man. After that, Dimitri grew
very quiet."
There is nothing in his world that Dimitri does not love. He cannot help but share those intense feelings with everyone and everything he meets along the way. It is very sad for him when reactions do not meet his expectations. Of course, it is mostly human response that he finds most disheartening. His friends at school are not sure how to respond. Trees and ants just keep doing their thing without noticing what Dimitri says to them.
Leaving school for the walk home with his mother doesn't change things much. An old man's response is abrupt and leaves Dimitri without words. Of course, his mother beams at his affirmation of his love for her at bedtime, and returns the compliment. Morning brings a new response to school - he does not want to return. He explains that no one at school responds in kind to his words. His mother tries to help him understand their lack of response.
"When you tell people that you love them,"
she said, "even if they don't say it back or
show it, they feel it. That's just the way love is.
It can't help but spread and grow."
As they make their way to preschool, his mom is able to help him understand that there are many ways for people to show their feelings in response to his kind thoughts. What a surprise awaits upon arrival at school; Dimitri reaps the many rewards of his behavior toward others!
Ms. Shearring’s mixed-media illustrations are detailed, colorful and engaging. As a kindergarten teacher for many years, I am amazed at how perfectly she captures every child on the reading carpet. They were all in my classrooms!
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