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A fable about Welcoming new ideas

Oakley Opens the Gate

Starring Oakley, the Ophthalmosaurus. Oakley prefers the lagoon exactly as it is, until Ingrid’s unfamiliar tide game shows him that welcoming a new idea need not wash away an old favorite.

  • Ages 3–6
  • Joining the shelf
  • Book in the works
See how the story goes Meet Oakley
No. 34
Oakley the Ophthalmosaurus character art
Oakley the Ophthalmosaurus character art

Meet

Oakley

Ophthalmosaurus

Learns
Welcoming new ideas
Grown-up value
Openness
Fable
No. 34

How the story goes

One small trouble. Three turns.

A peek for grown-ups, so you know where the story is headed before you turn the first page.

  1. A small trouble

    Oakley loves lagoon-ball just the way it is. When Ingrid brings shell rings and a new game, he closes the gate halfway.

  2. A brave choice

    But Ingrid’s ring curves with the current. Oakley opens the gate a little to ask why, tries once, and laughs.

  3. A happy turn

    Together they mix the two games. Oakley writes the new rules beside the old ones.

And the moral of the story

“A new idea can sit beside an old favorite.”

Say it together at the last page. It’s short on purpose.

For grown-ups · After the last page

Talk about it.

  1. 1What made Oakley open the gate?
  2. 2What if Oakley had kept the gate closed?
  3. 3What new game or food could you try?
Watch & sing · Song · 1:50The Ophthalmosaurus song Opens on YouTube

Up next · Fable No. 35 · Waiting well

Paige and the Slowest Sunrise

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