Ryers Readers - The Queen of Kindergarten

Episode Date: August 3, 2022

MJ rocks her first day of Kindergarten, earning her tiara and her new title!

Let's do this! Thank you so much for tuning into today's story. Don't forget to hit that follow button so you never miss out on all the Ryers readers fun. Before we get into the story, do you want to know a fun fact? Did you know that Double Dutch is a jump rope game where two long ropes are turned together? You turn the ropes in opposite directions while one or more people jump in the middle. Have you ever jumped double Dutch? Sounds pretty fun.

Okay. Story time. Today, we are reading the Queen of Kindergarten by Derek Barnes. Hey, yay, it's time for school. MJMJ going to school. That's my little three-year-old brother Samson, waking me up with a song. He's so sweet.

After I wash up, I put on my first day of, of school outfit. And when I'm dressed, I stand there looking at myself in the mirror, just because I can. Mama washed and braided my hair last night, and it looks so good. But she always helps me look nice. Yes, she does. MJ, girl, did you just step off the cover of a magazine? Mama says. Then she tells me I'm only missing one thing, and she places a sparkly tiara on my head. I wore this on my first day of school, she says, but today you will become the queen of kindergarten. What does the queen of kindergarten do, mama? I ask. First, us queens brighten up every room we enter. Second, us queens are caring and kind. And third, the good ones are always helpful to others, she says.

I have a good memory, and I'm going to remember all of this. I sure will. One, two, three. Then Daddy says in his deepest voice, your royal chariot awaits, your highness. That means he's ready to take me to school in his pickup truck. I kiss Mama on each cheek, and we bow at each other. You know, queen stuff. At school, I let Daddy hold my hand and walk me up to the door. Poor Daddy. He doesn't want to leave. He gives me a big hug.

One last look and then he's gone. Welcome, everyone, says our teacher, Miss Lovinggood. Please look for your name on your card and find your desk. That'll be your new home. I look left. I look right, and there it is, M.J. Malone. I decorate my name card with drawings of my four favorite things, dolphins, comets, skyscrapers, and my piggy bank. I get excited when Miss Lovinggood says,

Everyone will have their very own task for an entire week. I know right away which one I want, window monitor. It'll be my job to open up the blinds and let the sunlight in the room every morning. Doesn't that sound good? Plus, brightening up a room is the very first thing that Mama said us queens do, so I sure will. But Raina, the girl sitting next to me, has her head hung low, looking sad. I want to go home. Right away, I remember Mama saying that us queens are carrying.

and kind. So I reach for Raina's hands. She grabs mine, squeezes, and then gives me a smile. That makes me feel real good too, you know? Miss Loving Good calls on me to pick out a book for the classroom read, and I find one about a boy getting a royal haircut. Later, I help Leo put away the blocks. Helping is another queenly thing. One, two, three, four. For lunch, I have leftover spaghetti. And guess what?

Raina does too. My mama says there is nothing wrong with leftovers. Yum. I promise to bring Leo some next time because sharing is my jam. At recess, Miss Lovinggood teaches us how to double Dutch. me and a girl named Regina twirl the ropes like twin tornadoes, but it doesn't matter. Miss Lovinggood has lightning in her shoes. We've never seen a grown-up's feet move so quick.

When we go back inside, we head to the art room. I make the cutest picture of Samson. Then we go to the music room, and I hit a few high notes for everybody. And I sure do love Jim. time too. Did I tell you how good I am at soccer? Don't let this tiara fool you. Before it's time to go home, we all sit on the classroom rug that looks like the planet Earth. We munch and crunch and nibble on delicious apple slices and sandwich cookies filled with strawberry filling. Miss Lovinggood plays soft jazz music like Mama does sometimes. She calls it Wind Down Time, and it's a perfect way

to end the day. Back home, I sure brightened Samson's day when I give him the picture I made for him, and he plants a sloppy kiss on my cheek. That boy. At bedtime, I tell Mama, I did all the nice queen things you listed. You did? That means you get to keep that tiara. Wear it proudly, baby. I sure will, Mama. I sure will. M.J., the queen of kindergarten. That's me. The end. Make sure you stick around to see if you can answer today's paying attention question. Before you go, do you think you can answer today's paying attention question? What did MJ have for lunch? If your answer, was leftover spaghetti? You did it! Great job! You sure were paying attention! I hope you enjoyed that story! I wonder what we're going to read next!