The Word Under Her Finger

Ages 6-9

Reizy opens her story beside Pesi.

"The duck wore a boot on his head," she reads. "He asked the puddle for a spoon."

Pesi laughs and puts a finger beneath boot.

Reizy taps spoon.

Pesi's finger stays on the first line.

Reizy begins the next sentence.

Pesi laughs again.

Reizy covers the page with her hand.

Pesi takes her finger away.

Reizy turns the page toward herself. Then she turns it back between them.

"Which word?"

Pesi points to boot.

"Read it," Reizy says.

Pesi says "boot" aloud and lifts both hands above her head, one hand a long shape, one a flat heel.

Reizy looks at the boot in Pesi's hands.

Pesi puts her finger beneath the next line.

Reizy leaves spoon untapped and reads on.