
Part 1
Theo the bear stacked red blocks on the playroom rug. He wanted his tower to reach the paper moon overhead.
Find a cozy spot. Read together. Pause for the good questions.

Theo the bear stacked red blocks on the playroom rug. He wanted his tower to reach the paper moon overhead.
Read aloud, take turns, or pause for a question. The illustrated page-by-page reader is above.
Page 1
Theo the bear stacked red blocks on the playroom rug. He wanted his tower to reach the paper moon overhead.
Page 2
The tall tower leaned left, wobbled twice, and crashed. Blocks rolled everywhere, and Theo's face became hot and tight.
Page 3
Theo wanted to throw a block, but he kept it on the rug. He said, "I feel mad and stuck."
Page 4
His teacher sat nearby and counted three slow breaths with him. Theo's tight paws began to feel soft again.
Page 5
Together they looked at the fallen tower. The tiny bottom block could not hold all the heavy blocks above it.
Page 6
Theo made a new plan. He placed three wide blocks at the bottom and added the smaller blocks on top.
Page 7
The red tower stood straight and strong. Theo tapped the rug, and this time the tower did not wobble.
Page 8
Theo grinned at his careful work. When frustration felt big, a pause helped his brain find a better plan.
Read each question together. Choose the answer that matches the story.
Try the story activityShare a rhyme inspired by the story. Read the words together, tap a gentle beat, or make up your own tune.
Theo builds a tower red,
Stacking blocks above his head.
Lean to left and wobble twice—
Crash! The blocks fall in a pile.
Theo feels hot, mad, and stuck,
But he keeps the block down safe.
Pause and breathe—one, two, three.
Soft paws help the brain to see.
Wide blocks low and small blocks high,
Try a stronger plan this time.
Teacher looks with Theo too.
Tiny bottoms will not do.
Three wide blocks make one strong floor.
Smaller blocks rise up once more.
Pause and breathe—one, two, three.
Now the tower stands with ease.
When frustration feels too tall,
Pause, make plans, and build it all.
Theo grins beside the moon.
Calm helped a good idea bloom.
Enjoy the video version of this story, then talk about your favorite part.
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