Love, Z Reading Guide & Activities | Ages 12 Months–8 Years

Turn storytime into an opportunity to read together, create together, and grow together with this printable companion guide for Love, Z, written and illustrated by Jessie Sima.

Designed for children ages 12 months through 8 years, this guide helps you explore the story at your child’s developmental level—without turning reading time into a lesson or quiz. Start by simply enjoying the book together. Then, return to the story whenever you are ready to talk about what love looks and feels like, make thoughtful connections, and build a balancing robot inspired by Z. 

Inside this 22-page guide, you’ll find:

• During Reading Tips to bring Z’s robotic voice to life, support predictions, and connect the story’s text with its illustrations
• Age-appropriate After Reading Questions for:
• 12–18 months
• 18–24 months
• Ages 2–4
• Ages 5–8
• Guidance showing where to ask each question, which skill it supports, and how it helps your child learn
• Four versions of the same craft:
• Ages 12–24 months with printable templates
• Ages 12–24 months with no printer needed
• Ages 2–8 with printable templates
• Ages 2–8 with no printer needed
• Movement and balancing challenges to extend the activity after the craft is complete
• Opportunities to build vocabulary, inferencing, compare-and-contrast skills, story recall, emotional understanding, body awareness, coordination, listening, and perseverance

About the activity

The guide includes age-based directions as well as printable and no-printer options, so families can choose the version that works best for them.

The activity extends the book’s robot theme while supporting fine-motor development, body awareness, coordination, listening, multitasking, confidence, and perseverance.

The goal is not perfect balance—it is experimenting, trying again, and enjoying the process together.

This guide is a good fit for families who want to:

• Talk about the different ways people give and receive love
• Help children make personal connections to a meaningful story
• Practice predictions, inferencing, and comparing ideas
• Build vocabulary related to robots, emotions, weather, and travel
• Encourage body awareness, coordination, and persistence
• Choose between age-based printable and no-printer craft options
• Enjoy a reusable activity without having to plan everything themselves

Please note

This is a digital PDF download. No physical book, printed guide, or craft supplies will be mailed.

You will need access to a copy of Love, Z by Jessie Sima to use the reading portions of this guide. The book may be borrowed from your local library or purchased separately.

Pennies are used as weights in the activity and should be secured by an adult and kept away from children who may place small objects in their mouths.

Recommended ages: 12 months–8 years

Format: Printable digital PDF

Length: 22 pages

Included activity: Balancing Robot Craft

Craft options: Four age- and printer-friendly versions

Also included: Movement and balancing challenges