Gregory's Big Move

Move?! Gregory’s dad gets a new job in a new city and the family prepares to move. Gregory isn’t sure this is a good idea and worries about everything associated with a move: leaving his old friends, meeting new friends, school, a new house, and he hears stories from his friends about life in the city.

“Change and uncertainty are a part of life for young children. This book would be good for school counselors, therapists, social workers, and foster parents to have in their toolbox!

-Trinity Nicholas, MSW, LICSW

“This is a great book for any child going through a big change. Also a great read aloud for teachers to help students understand that change can be good, even if scary.”

-Carol Malcolm Parsons, MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching) “Change is a scary thing for anyone, but especially for children.

Bobby does a great job showing how the unknown can be better than we thought and our fears can be calmed when we discuss our feelings.

-Nick Patella, Former Basketball Coach for West Virginia Wesleyan College and Davis & Elkins College, and father of 3 Whether it’s for his children, as a pastor, stand-up comedian, or podcasting, author Bobby Benavides has found joy in sharing and creating stories. He has written books for all ages in a way that teaches lessons in a simple, easy-to-read style. Bobby lives in Elkins, WV with his wife and four children. In his free time he enjoys playing with his kids and reading.

GREGORY’S BIG MOVE

“A heartwarming story to help children process emotions during big changes. I would absolutely read this book in the classroom to help students relate these big changes to other changes they may face and how to overcome them.”

-Brittany Squires, First Grade Teacher

Bobby Benavides ILLUSTRATED BY

Leah Seaman

Gregory’s Big Move

by Bobby Benavides illustrated by Leah Seaman copyright ©2022 Bobby Benavides All rights reserved. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents, except where noted otherwise, are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any other resemblance to actual people, places or events is entirely coincidental.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any other form or for any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage system, without written permission from Headline Books.

To order additional copies of this book, or for book publishing information, or to contact the author: Headline Kids P. O. Box 52 Terra Alta, WV 26764 Email: mybook@headlinebooks.com www.headlinebooks.com Lucas Kelly—Design/Layout Published by Headline Books Headline Kids is an imprint of Headline Books ISBN-13: 9781951556716

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021945960

PR I N T E D I N T H E U N I T E D STAT E S OF A M E R IC A

This book is dedicated to my kids for always listening to my stories and my wife Natasha for always encouraging me to pursue my passions. I love all of you!

Gregory and his family lived in a small town, but were getting ready to move away to the big city. His dad was starting a new job with a toy company and his mom was going to be a teacher at Gregory’s new school. His parents seemed to be very excited, but Gregory was feeling nervous. He didn’t know what to expect from this big move to a new city.

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Gregory had heard about the big city, but he had never been there before. He heard about the fast cars and busy streets. He heard stories about tall buildings that were scary and how the noise never stops. His friends told him city kids were mean and he wouldn’t meet anyone he would get along with very well. He believed everything he was told, which made him even more scared of the big move.

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Gregory’s mom drove the car and his dad followed them in the moving truck, which contained all their belongings. Gregory was looking out the window as a teardrop rolled down his cheek. He was leaving his friends. He was leaving his home. He was going to a scary place and he believed there was no chance of making another friend again.

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Gregory’s mom noticed he was sad and asked, “Gregory, are you upset about us moving?”

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He replied, “Mama. I’m scared of the busy streets. I’m afraid of the big buildings. I’m also nervous that I won’t make any friends.”

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His mom reassured Gregory, “Wait until you see the city and meet the people. You may be surprised!”

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When they drove into the city, he saw colorful tall buildings in all different shapes. He saw people in glass elevators on the outside of the buildings.

People were smiling and laughing on the sidewalks and on steps in front of the buildings. He even saw vendors selling hot dogs and balloons on the street.

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Cars were driving all around, but they weren’t going so fast. There were stoplights at every block, and when they stopped, people would smile at each other. He saw cars with no roof. He saw long limousines and he imagined a movie star was sitting in the back seat. The cars were interesting and different from what he was used to seeing back home. So far, Gregory was surprised the city did not seem as scary as he thought, but he still missed his old house.

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He didn’t think he would meet kids who were nice like his friends back home. He didn’t think he would have anyone to play games with and laugh. Were the kids going to be as mean as his other friends said?

Was he going to be happy? He wasn’t sure, but he was certainly missing home.

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Gregory and his parents pulled up to his new home. It was a two-story building with big steps and a front porch. It was nicer than he thought it would be. He saw some kids up the street playing hopscotch and jump rope. It seemed like they were having fun playing together. It reminded him of his friends back in his old town. He tried to wave, but they didn’t see him. He was missing his friends, again.

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He went to his new room and began to unpack.

He was putting his favorite posters on the wall when suddenly the doorbell rang. Who could be ringing their doorbell already? They just got there.

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Gregory’s mom called for him to come downstairs.

When he did, he saw two boys and a girl standing at the door. The taller boy said, “Hi! I’m Leon. We saw you pull up and we wanted to see if you wanted to play with us.”

The shorter boy said, “I’m Gary. We wanted to play four square, but there’s only three of us. You would be our fourth!”

The only girl amongst the three shyly said, “Uhm… I’m Charlotte. I’m 10. How old are you?”

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Gregory replied, “I’m Gregory and I’m 9. I love playing four square!” He called out to his parents, “Mom and Dad! Is it okay if I go outside and play?”

His mom and dad leaned out from the kitchen and yelled back, “Of course! Just be where we can see you and come back before dinner.”

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Gregory ran outside with Leon, Gary, and Charlotte. His new friends were very nice. They seemed to enjoy playing games and having a good time. Gregory thought to himself, Maybe, I shouldn’t have been so afraid of this big move. I have friends and the city isn’t too bad. I think I’ll like my new home.

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He played, laughed, and learned about his new city.

He still missed his old neighborhood and friends, but was more comfortable and excited to start something new.

The End.

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Questions: 1.

Have you ever had to move or do something new?

How did that make you feel?

2. When you feel nervous or scared, who do you talk to? (Encourage kids to understand it is alright to be concerned or nervous, but they need to share their feelings and emotions with someone they trust.)

3. What do you think would be fun about moving to a new city?

4. Why do you think Gregory’s parents wanted him to stay close by when he played with his new friends?

5. Do you think Gregory was happier after the big move?

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Move?! Gregory’s dad gets a new job in a new city and the family prepares to move. Gregory isn’t sure this is a good idea and worries about everything associated with a move: leaving his old friends, meeting new friends, school, a new house, and he hears stories from his friends about life in the city.

“Change and uncertainty are a part of life for young children. This book would be good for school counselors, therapists, social workers, and foster parents to have in their toolbox!

-Trinity Nicholas, MSW, LICSW

“This is a great book for any child going through a big change. Also a great read aloud for teachers to help students understand that change can be good, even if scary.”

-Carol Malcolm Parsons, MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching) “Change is a scary thing for anyone, but especially for children.

Bobby does a great job showing how the unknown can be better than we thought and our fears can be calmed when we discuss our feelings.

-Nick Patella, Former Basketball Coach for West Virginia Wesleyan College and Davis & Elkins College, and father of 3 Whether it’s for his children, as a pastor, stand-up comedian, or podcasting, author Bobby Benavides has found joy in sharing and creating stories. He has written books for all ages in a way that teaches lessons in a simple, easy-to-read style. Bobby lives in Elkins, WV with his wife and four children. In his free time he enjoys playing with his kids and reading.

GREGORY’S BIG MOVE

“A heartwarming story to help children process emotions during big changes. I would absolutely read this book in the classroom to help students relate these big changes to other changes they may face and how to overcome them.”

-Brittany Squires, First Grade Teacher