Glimmer the Grateful - Your Guide to Getting the Most Out of Letter Six of The Mermaid Mail Series

Letter six in the Mermaid Mail series, featuring Glimmer the Grateful Mermaid, dives into the magic of gratitude and noticing the little treasures all around us. Through a heart-warming story, inclusive illustrations, and fun activities, this letter encourages children to not always 'need' new things, and to embrace thankfulness and see the world through a sparkling lens.

Exploring the Theme: Gratitude in Everyday Moments

Glimmer’s story begins in shiny jewel-covered sea urchin cave - she soon spots a rainbow jewel encrusted abalone shell that she wishes she could keep... the real lesson begins as Glimmer and her friend start noticing the small wonders of the ocean that are already around them.

Start a conversation with your child about gratitude:

• “What little treasures make you happy, like a funny sound or a cosy hug?”
• “Why do you think noticing small things makes everything feel more magical?”
• “How can we show gratitude for the big and little things in our lives?”

This theme helps children understand that gratitude isn’t just about saying “thank you” - it’s about finding joy in the small, everyday moments and things that we already have that brighten our lives.

Spotlight on Inclusion: Colostomy Bags and Diversity

The illustrations in this letter feature a diverse mermaids, celebrating differences in appearance and life experiences:

• The mermaid wears a colostomy bag, helping normalise medical needs and showing children that everyone is beautiful, no matter what they might use to help their bodies.
• The mermaids represent a variety of races, emphasising that the ocean, like the world, is a beautifully diverse place.

Use these illustrations as a starting point to discuss inclusion and representation:

• “Did you notice the mermaids using a colostomy bag? Isn’t it great how everyone’s body is different but special?” A colostomy bag is a medical bag that helps her with going to the toilet.
• “What do you think about all the different mermaids? How do their differences make the illustrations even more beautiful?”

These conversations can help children develop empathy, celebrate uniqueness, and appreciate the beauty in diversity.

Activities to Spark Gratitude and Inclusion

1. Gratitude Hunt

• Encourage your child to go on a “treasure hunt” to find small things that bring them joy, like a soft blanket, a favourite toy, or the sound of birds outside.
• Use Glimmer’s poem to reinforce the importance of noticing these treasures.

2. Celebrate Differences Through Art

• Your child can paint and colour-in the colouring-in sheets of diverse mermaids that come with this letter.
• Encourage your child to draw a group of mermaids that look different from each other. Encourage them to include details like glasses, mobility aids, or unique hairstyles.
• Talk about how these differences make their group of mermaids more interesting and special.

3. Gratitude Journal

• Start a simple gratitude journal where your child can take a photo, write or draw something they’re thankful for each day.

Why This Letter Matters

Glimmer’s story and the accompanying illustrations provide meaningful lessons that:

• Teach children to embrace gratitude in both big and small moments.
• Normalise medical devices like colostomy bags and celebrate diverse races, fostering inclusion and empathy.
• Inspire children to find joy and magic in the world around them.

Share Your Stories!

We’d love to hear how you and your child explored this letter! Share your experiences, artwork, or gratitude lists with us at:
📧 hello@happyenvelopeclub.com
📱 @happyenvelopeclub

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