The New Seat — An Illustrated Read-Aloud Story
A picture story to read together, for ages three to five.
On her first morning at the new nursery, Salma stood by the door and held her bag with both hands. “Welcome, Salma,” said the teacher. “This is your new seat.”
Salma looked at the brown chair but did not sit down. She remembered her yellow chair at her old nursery and the book corner beside it. A tear slipped down her cheek.
Two girls passed with a box of blocks and invited her to play. Salma shook her head and hugged her bag. The teacher sat nearby and asked, “What are you missing?”
“I miss my yellow chair and the books by the window,” Salma said. “I don’t know where to begin here.” “It is all right to miss them,” said the teacher. “We can find one place to begin.”
They passed the art corner and the block table at Salma’s pace. She saw a small shelf of books under a wide window. “I would like to sit here,” she said. “Will you stay with me?”
“I’ll stay close,” said the teacher. Salma sat on the brown chair and placed her bag beside her. She still missed her old place, but she opened one book and found her first beginning.
This is an original fictional story, not an account of a historical event.