Caterpillar Kisses: Lessons My Kindergarten Class Taught Me about Life

By Christine Pisera Naman

"When [my kindergartners] left me, they left me with the most wonderful memories and the imprints of their kisses upon my heart. To me, the blessed little events, the tiny magical moments, and the wonderful quick coincidences were like kisses." -From the Introduction A former kindergarten teacher, Christine Pisera Naman watched over many classes of five-year-olds as they made their way through the school year and discovered new things about themselves and the world around them. In Caterpillar Kisses , she turns her observations and insights into twelve delightful real-life vignettes, one for each month of the year. The stories bring to life events, large and small, that help these wiggly, unsure caterpillars grow into beautiful and confident butterflies. From a first trip to the zoo to making angels in the snow, the kids embrace every new experience with all the silliness, enthusiasm, and wonder familiar to anyone who has spent time with a five-year-old. Naman explores the more difficult moments of childhood as well, offering sensitive, reassuring stories about the fear of thunderstorms and encountering death for the first time. Life lessons are tucked within everyday activities, including a hilarious session of learning (literally) how to walk in the other guy's shoes and another emphasizing the importance of making others feel accepted. But the students are not the only ones undergoing change. During the course of the year, their teacher learns the best way to deal with too many "apples for the teacher" and comes to understand the true meaning of spirituality and the simple joy of dancing in the rain. Alternately laugh-out-loud funny and poignant, Caterpillar Kisses illustrates the good things that come from looking at life through the eyes of children. It is perfect for anyone looking for the magic in everyday life. "Luminous! Sometimes, when spending time with children, it is just so clear that they are our teachers.? Caterpillar Kisses shows us some of the small but tender lessons we stumble upon during the metamorphosis that occurs each and every day in a young child's life." -Ann S. Ruethling, founder and vice president of merchandising, Chinaberry, Inc.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385513879
• ISBN13: 9780385513876
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: Doubleday Religion
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Will make your heart sing

Sometimes, when we read a book, we just want to feel good. We want to feel that the hard work and dedication to something we believe in, is in fact worth it. If you agree with these statements, Caterpillar Kisses by Christine Pisera Naman is a book you don't want to miss. Pisera Naman is a former kindergarten teacher who, while teaching and caring for numerous classes over the years, watched her charges change from wiggly little caterpillars to confident new butterflies. Along the way Pisera Naman realizes that not only are the children learning about themselves and their world but that she is learning and changing also. The twelve vignettes shared in this little book are poignant, funny, exhilarating, hopeful and life-affirming. And they can only be told by an adult who cares enough to really see the miracles of life through the eyes of children. For anyone who wants and needs to see the magic in the world.

a great book!

I love this book! I'm not a teacher, but I came across this cute book and I just couldn't put it down. It's the kind of book you can pick up again and again to lift your spirits with its heartwarming stories. Pick it up!

LOVE THIS LITTLE BOOK!

I just happened to pick up this precious little book while I was in the bookstore the other day and had to buy it! After reading it, I came to this site to buy copies for all of my children's teachers! It is so delightful and inspirational, I'm spreading the word to all of my friends so they can do the same. This is a must have for parents, children, and the PERFECT answer for that hard to decide on end of the year gift for teachers. Buy this book in multiples! You'll love it!