
Part 1
Nia wanted to build a blue tower in the playroom. She searched the toy basket, but blocks, animals, and balls were all mixed together.
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Nia wanted to build a blue tower in the playroom. She searched the toy basket, but blocks, animals, and balls were all mixed together.
Read aloud, take turns, or pause for a question. The illustrated page-by-page reader is above.
Page 1
Nia wanted to build a blue tower in the playroom. She searched the toy basket, but blocks, animals, and balls were all mixed together.
Page 2
Nia pulled out a red ball, a wooden horse, and two yellow blocks. The blue square block was still hidden somewhere below them.
Page 3
On the low shelf, Nia found three empty bins. One showed a block picture, one showed a toy animal, and one showed a ball.
Page 4
Nia began matching toys to pictures. She placed blocks with the block picture and balls with the round ball picture.
Page 5
By mistake, Nia dropped a toy turtle into the block bin. She noticed its little legs, smiled, and moved it to the animal bin.
Page 6
At the bottom of the basket, Nia found the blue square block. She checked the empty basket to be sure no toy was left.
Page 7
Now every block, animal, and ball had a clear home. Nia could find a red ball without digging through the whole pile.
Page 8
Nia built her blue tower and gave a happy clap. Sorting took a little time, but it made play and cleanup much easier.
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.
A rhyme based on an earlier story edition; some words and events differ from the reading edition.
Nia wants to build today,
But mixed-up toys are in the way.
Blocks and balls and animals too
Hide the square block colored blue.
Three empty bins show what to do:
A block, a paw, a ball in view.
Sort, sort, one by one.
Match the picture; make it fun.
Blocks with blocks and balls with balls,
Toy friends by the little paws.
Nia sorts and checks once more.
The mixed-up basket clears its floor.
At the bottom, what does she see?
Her square blue block—happy as can be!
Sort, sort, one by one.
Now the tidy work is done.
Friends find toys without a doubt,
And Nia builds her tower tall.
Clap, clap, clap for Nia's way.
Sorting helped her build and play.
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