Don't Touch My Tower!

Starring Mom, Dad, Nora, Theo, Moose

Nora is building her tallest block tower ever on the living room rug. When little brother Theo knocks it over, she is so mad she stomps straight into the kitchen. Can Mom's question help Nora see what Theo wants?

On Saturday morning, Nora lined up her blocks on the living room rug. "My tallest tower ever!" she said, placing each block carefully. Moose flopped beside her, his tail thumping.

Moose's tail swept the tower down. Nora laughed and hugged him. "You just want to be close!"

Nora stacked the blocks tall again. Theo toddled behind her, copying her with his own block. "Not now, Theo. Don't touch," she said.

Crash! Theo knocked the whole tower down. "THEO! You ruin EVERYTHING!" Nora shouted, clenching her hands. His lip wobbled.

Nora stomped into the kitchen. Mom and Dad stood at the stove, making pancakes. "Why don't you get mad at Moose?" Mom asked.

"He just wants to be near me," Nora said. "Who else is always near you?" Mom asked. Nora peeked back. Theo sat alone beside the fallen tower, still holding his block.

Nora sat beside Theo and unclenched her hands. "You're the official knocker-downer," she said. "Wait till I say three." He held his block ready.

Together, Nora and Theo built a low, wobbly tower. "One, two... THREE!" Nora called. Theo and Moose's tail knocked it flying. "Again!" Theo shouted. Nora grabbed the first block.