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The slow road to mastery

A woodworker, an inventor, and a stone carver learn the same thing the slow way. Read, talk, make something with your hands, then read the next one.

Ages 8-9Patience & Mastery

0 of 5 steps done. Resume at step 1.

  1. Step 1 of 5

    Read

    The Sanding BlockA young boy wants to be a great woodworker today, right now. His grandfather hands him a sanding block. A picture book about the slow craft of becoming good at something, told in a sunlit workshop with shavings on the floor.

  2. Step 2 of 5

    Talk about it

    The Sanding BlockA young boy wants to be a great woodworker today, right now. His grandfather hands him a sanding block. A picture book about the slow craft of becoming good at something, told in a sunlit workshop with shavings on the floor.

    Talk about it together

    Three questions to open a conversation, one for each part of the read.

    1. Before readingThe boy wants to be a great woodworker today, right now. Do you think that can happen?
    2. While you readHis grandfather hands him a sanding block instead of a real tool. Why do you think he did that?
    3. After readingWhat is something you are slowly getting better at?

  3. Step 3 of 5

    Try an activity

    Bookmark Designer

  4. Step 4 of 5 · optional

    For the grown-up

    5 Creative Follow-Up Activities After Reading

  5. Step 5 of 5

    Read next

    Heidi's Journey to MasterySeven-year-old Heidi dreams of inventions. Solar cars. Wind-turbine bridges. A small robot to clean the lake outside her grandfather Anders's workshop in Granholm. So when she finally crosses the threshold expecting gears and tools, she is surprised when he hands her a broom. Month after month, she sweeps. Then she sorts parts. Then she watches. Then she asks. A picture book about the slow patient road from dreaming to making.