About this read-along picture book
The shooting star is a age 4-6 · two ideas a page picture book from the Golu picture-book shelf, part of the "Sun, moon and space" week in Golu's Day. Each page has one picture and one line, so a child who cannot read yet can still follow along by listening and looking. The line is read aloud in your child's first language, with the second language underneath, which is what makes it a true read-along story book for kids rather than a page of text.
Who this story is for
It suits children 4-6 years old: two ideas on a page, for an LKG or UKG child who can hold a small story in mind. Older or younger children can still enjoy it; the pictures carry the meaning.
What your child learns here
Listening to a story read aloud builds vocabulary, the idea that print carries meaning, and the habit of following a story from the first page to the last. This one also teaches the words for sun, moon and space, which is the theme of this week in the daily plan.
The story in words
Here is the whole text, in case you would like to read it yourself or print it:
- One night Golu and Dada lie on the roof and count stars. एक रात गोलू और दादा छत पर लेटकर तारे गिनते हैं।
- Suddenly a bright light zooms across the sky. अचानक एक तेज़ रोशनी आसमान में दौड़ जाती है।
- Dada says it is a shooting star, a tiny rock burning up. दादा कहते हैं यह टूटता तारा है, जलता हुआ छोटा पत्थर।
- He points at a soft white path of millions of stars. वह लाखों तारों के सफ़ेद रास्ते की ओर इशारा करते हैं।
- Golu cannot believe the sky is so big. गोलू को यकीन नहीं होता कि आसमान इतना बड़ा है।
- Tonight, look up. What can you see? आज रात ऊपर देखो। तुम्हें क्या दिखता है?
How to read this book with your child
Read it three times, not three books once
- First time: let Golu read. Point at the picture while the line plays.
- Second time: pause before the last word and let your child say it.
- Third time: ask "what happens next?" before turning the page. Remembering the order is the first step of reading comprehension.
Take it off the screen
One night Golu and Dada lie on the roof and count stars — find the real thing at home and say the line again. A story a child can touch is remembered twice as well as a story they only watched.
In your language
This book is read aloud in 34 languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, Arabic, Spanish and Japanese. Choose your language with the button at the top of the page and the whole book changes, text and voice together.
Now do it for real
When the screen goes off, do something with your hands. Try 🕐 Make a clock — an easy craft for ages 5-6, with every step read aloud in your language. You will need a paper plate or a card circle, two card strips for hands, a pin or a paper fastener (grown-up); nothing that needs a trip to a shop.
There are 56 more on the things to do at home page, and free printable worksheets if you would rather have something on paper. Ten minutes on a screen and twenty minutes off it is a good shape for a day at this age.