Definition:

To be hopeful means to believe that something good can happen, even when it doesn’t look like it, or when it turns out differently than expected.

In short:

Believe that something good can happen.

Summary:
This beautifully illustrated book is about the seasons of life, some that make us happy, others that make us scared, frustrated, or sad. Day and night, rain and rainbows, hopeful dreams and scary nightmares are all part of life. The theme of hope - good things can happen even when it doesn’t seem possible - is expressed in examples and drawings to which young children can relate. 

Lesson Objectives: 

1. Students will be able to talk about and comprehend the meaning of the word hope and how it relates to their own experiences. 
2. Teachers can guide a discussion on dreams, asking students to share responses to these questions: what kinds of dreams do you have, what do you do when you have a nightmare, and are dreams real? 

Guiding Questions: 

1. What does the word “hope” mean to you? 
2. What does “rain before rainbows” mean? Share about a time when you were outside in the rain, or when you saw a rainbow. 
3.  Do you like night time or day time better? Why? 
4. Do you have dreams? Can you share a dream you had? 
5. Have you ever had a nightmare? Can you describe what happened? 
6. What can you do when you have a nightmare and you’re scared? 
7. The girl in this story is on a journey. What helps her get to the place where she can find “treasures”? 
8. Do you have more good days or more bad days? If you have more bad days, ask a parent or teacher to help you have more good days.
9. When you look at a little seed, is it hard to believe that it can become a flower, or plant, or tree? Plant a seed, water it, take care of it, and see what happens. 
10. I hope for… (Fill in the blank with 3 things that you hope for).