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Tashy's Big Mess Up Readers Guides
Preschool Guide (Ages 3–5)
Purpose
This preschool-friendly guide is designed to support early learners as they explore emotions, choices, and creativity through Tashy’s Big Mess Up. Activities and questions focus on listening skills, simple cause-and-effect, and social-emotional growth.
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Preschool Learning Focus
• Identifying feelings
• Understanding simple consequences
• Practicing honesty
• Learning rules and boundaries
• Expressing creativity safely
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Before Reading (Circle Time)
• Show the cover and ask: “What do you think this story might be about?”
• Ask: “What colors do you see?”
• Introduce the idea of a mistake in simple terms: “A mistake is when something doesn’t turn out how we hoped.”
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During Reading (Interactive Prompts)
Use simple questions and gestures while reading: - “How does Tashy feel right now?” (happy, worried, scared) - “Is painting the house a good choice?” - “Uh-oh! What happened?” - Encourage children to point to colors and make facial expressions.
Keep the reading light and playful—pausing is more important than finishing every page.
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After Reading (Discussion)
Ask 1–2 questions at a time: - “Did Tashy make a mistake?” - “Did she tell the truth?” - “How did Mom help Tashy fix the problem?” - “What should we paint on? Paper or houses?”
Reinforce that mistakes are okay and grown-ups help us fix them.
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Preschool Vocabulary
Introduce words using actions and examples: - Color – name and point to colors - Mess – something not neat - Sorry – words we say when we make a mistake - Help – working together
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Hands-On Activities
Art Activity
• Finger paint or brush paint on paper only.
• Say together: “We paint on paper!”
Color Sorting
• Sort crayons or blocks by color.
• Talk about favorite colors.
Dramatic Play
• Practice saying: “I’m sorry” and “Can I help fix it?”
• Use toy houses or paper houses for pretend play.
Movement Activity
• Pretend to paint using big arm motions in the air.
• Pretend to clean up together when finished.
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Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) for Preschool
This story helps children: - Name feelings - Learn classroom rules - Practice honesty - Understand that adults help when mistakes happen
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Teacher Tip
Keep the focus on reassurance, not consequences. Emphasize that Tashy is safe, loved, and helped—and that everyone makes mistakes while learning.
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Closing Circle Question
Ask children: “What would YOU paint a picture of?”
(Encourage answers like flowers, pets, or rainbows.)
Recommended Age Range: 6-8
Themes: Honesty, Responsibility, Creativity, Problem-Solving, Consequences
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Overview
Tashy’s Big Mess Up is a warm, rhythmic story that explores what happens when good intentions lead to unexpected consequences. When Tashy decides to brighten her freshly painted gray house using smooshed elderberries, her creative idea quickly turns into a big problem. Faced with fear and regret, Tashy must choose between hiding the truth or taking responsibility. Her honest choice leads to an important lesson about accountability, forgiveness, and making things right.
This story is ideal for home reading, classrooms, libraries, and social-emotional learning discussions.
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Learning Themes
Honesty & Accountability
Tashy considers avoiding responsibility but ultimately chooses to tell the truth.
Cause & Effect
The story clearly shows how actions—good or bad—lead to consequences.
Creativity with Boundaries
Children are encouraged to be imaginative while learning where creativity is appropriate.
Growth Mindset
Mistakes are shown as opportunities to learn and improve.
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Discussion Questions
Before Reading
• What do you think the title Tashy’s Big Mess Up means?
• Have you ever tried to help and accidentally caused a problem?
During Reading
• Why does Tashy want to change the color of the house?
• What makes painting with elderberries seem like a good idea at first?
• How does Tashy feel when she realizes the house is too tall to finish?
After Reading
• What choices does Tashy think about when Mom sees the house?
• Why is telling the truth the hardest—but best—choice?
• What would you have done if you were Tashy?
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Vocabulary Words
• Drab: dull or lacking brightness
• Smooshed: squashed or crushed
• Consequences: results of an action
• Responsibility: taking ownership of what you do
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Activities & Extensions
Art Activity
Use washable paints or watercolors to create art on paper. Discuss why some surfaces are meant for art and others are not.
Writing or Drawing Prompt
Draw or write about a time you made a mistake and how you fixed it.
Role-Play
Act out different choices Tashy could have made and talk about how each choice might change the ending.
Color Exploration
Talk about why certain colors are chosen for houses, schools, or public spaces.
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Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Connections
This story supports: - Self-awareness - Responsible decision-making - Empathy - Problem-solving
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Reflection
Tashy’s Big Mess Up reminds young readers that everyone makes mistakes—and that honesty, effort, and support can turn even a big mess into a meaningful lesson.
Closing Question:
What would you do if you were Tashy?