The Companion Guide to

Bailey’s Adventures
Und e Stairs

a d v e n t u r e s

Written & Created by Ruth A. Pavilonis

 ™

a d v e n t u r e s

2007 London Book Festival: Honorable Mention

2008 New England Book Festival: Honorable Mention

Published by Ruth A. Pavilonis ­­­

— Betina’s & Bailey’s Adventures
P. O. Box 2779 • Santa Cruz, California 95063 • www.betinaandbailey.com

© 2009 Ruth A. Pavilonis. All rights reserved.

No portion of these books and CD, or any works resulting from them, may be reproduced
or distributed in any form for commercial purposes. Schools, teachers, clubs, organizations,
and institutions, please contact the publisher for use guidelines and licensing.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2009905462

ISBN: 978-0-9840791-1-7

Printed in the United States of America with lead-free, child-safe ink

Logo, Cover, Book Design & Artwork: Design Source Creative Inc.
 Praise for Betina’s & Bailey’s Adventures
Families
My 6-year-old son, Justin, is on the spectrum of autism. As such, he has difficulty
remembering what a story is about and has a hard time retelling it. Your story’s format gives
my son and others the opportunity to connect with the story, engage in the process, and to
express themselves. It gives them the chance to draw the character as they see it, not as we
want them to see it. Thanks for sharing the story with me and Justin, and with all the kids
who will benefit from reading them.
Lyna & Justin Le, San Jose, CA

I love this book! As a parent of three and spending many hours reading stories to my
children something new and refreshing is always needed. Betina’s & Bailey’s Adventures is a fun,
innovative, and creative story and experience. I appreciate The Companion Guide with leading
questions and concepts to inspire kids to think and learn from the story...This book is great for
travel, to leave with a babysitter, or just for an evening home with your child.
Shauna Horton, Soquel, CA

Teachers, Reading Specialists & School Counselors

Having worked with children over many years to improve their reading skills, I am struck
by the technique utilized in The Companion Guide. The questions posed require prediction and
visualization, both of which are comprehension strategies. They encourage making connections,
finding details and main ideas, recognizing cause and effect, and vocabulary development. The
format and variety of questions make these stories an invaluable tool for teachers and parents
to help children increase their reading skills while enjoying some marvelous adventures.
Rose Hersey, Certified Reading Specialist, PA

Kids will love getting to know Betina & Bailey. The characters’ exuberant imaginations and
creativity transport the reader instantly into other times and places. “Leading Questions” enable
a parent, teacher, or other grown-up to involve the child further in the story while stimulating
critical thinking. And how wonderful to allow the child to be the illustrator! These stories need
to be a part of every young reader’s library.
Susan Dunswell, Naturalist & Educator, PA & HI
“A Virtual Whale Watch” and Children’s Educational Liaison for The Center for Whale Studies
www.centerforwhalestudies.org

As an educator, I see so many benefits to the Betina & Bailey series, from the creativity
and critical thinking opportunities to reading comprehension skills. I haven’t seen a better
method for encouraging good reading practices than those found here. This unique series
takes the reader through the process of imagining the details surrounding the characters and
story setting. By asking the reader to provide these details, Pavilonis helps the reader engage
with the story, which can draw kids into the world of imagination and the magic of the written
word—and maybe even create a love for reading.
Tamera Parks, M.A. Educational Counseling
Former English Teacher, California High School Guidance Counselor
 More Praise for Betina’s & Bailey’s Adventures

Licensed Counselor & T herapist

With eloquent attentiveness to a child’s time for learning about the world, Ruth invites kids
to utilize their own imaginations. In her poetic and articulate invitation, she offers a great gift:
the door into our own creativity; something which needs special attention in a time of media
bombardment. This book is destined to be a delight for youth.
Dr. Laurie Moore, PhD, LMFT, CHT
Author, Speaker, National Media Resource
www.drlauriemoore.com

Certified Coach
As a life coach, I help people to dream big and then create roadmaps to turn their big
dreams into reality. But in order to dream big, you need to be able to see the dream—to
visualize what the big dream looks like, feels like, and even tastes like! There is no greater tool
for this than an interactive story format like Betina & Bailey. Whether or not children create a
hero with their same shape, color or background, these stories allow children to see themselves
anew, teaching them that they can reach for the stars, regardless of where they start the
journey. Moreover, they offer children the opportunity to see themselves as whole, perfect and
complete just as they are, and that is priceless.
Jeffrey Van Dyk, CDC, CPCC
Life & Professional Coach
President, International Coaches Federation­
—San Francisco Chapter
www.PracticalVisionary.com

Corporate Perspective
Author Ruth Pavilonis’ talent is not just her writing but her ability to see through the
eyes of a child. Today’s child is lost in the age of information where the Internet, reality TV
and video games are tragically the new educational “tools”. She’s given something far more
profound and cutting edge than any technology, she’s given a child the ability to be creative,
expressive and imaginative! (Something that has a greater positive and lasting impact than the
latest YouTube video!) Betina & Bailey is a gift—not just a story. From a real-life, corporate
skills perspective, critical thinking in business is the rule not the exception and authors like
Ruth Pavilonis is at the forefront of providing tools for children that will help them develop
these critical-thinking skills to business skills.
David-Alan DeWald
WWSE Executive Briefing Program Manager, Cisco Systems
 Welcome to a New Adventure in Learning,
Imagination, Creation & Interaction!

T hese Facilitated Stories ™ :

• Break the stereotypes of the Dick-and-Jane images.

• Build unique character creation and identification.

• Unleash the imagination by providing a safe and supportive environment encouraging

imagination, creativity, and self-expression. (There are no “wrong answers”.)

• Engage parents or others in the creative process.

• Introduce and reinforce values and skills.

Innovative Format
• Two characters, one story
The child chooses the character, creates what the character looks
like and illustrates the story as he/she wishes.

• The electronic copy is included for “Do Over”, “Do More” and “Do It Again”.

• Allows the child to get tactile with reading.

• By immersing the child into the story and reading process, a love for
reading can develop—or at least reduced fear.

• Builds many skills and traits:

– Self-Esteem – Teamwork – Imagination
– Leadership – Decision Making – Problem Solving
– Language – Communication – Critical Thinking

Complies With & Supports Many Education Standards

• Utilizing Bloom’s Taxonomy (also called the Taxonomy of Educational Objectives),
Betina’s & Bailey’s Adventures support and comply with these development categories:
– Reading for Perspective – Developing Research Skills
– Understanding the Human Experience – Multicultural Understanding
– Communication Skills – Applying Non-English Perspective
– Communication Strategies – Participating in Society
– Evaluating Data – Applying Language Skills

and these education standards:

– The 12 Standards for English Language Arts defined by the IRA/NCTE
(International Reading Association/National Council of Teachers of English)

– Each U.S. states standards for Language Arts (at the time of printing)
 About the Author
It seems that Ruth A. Pavilonis has always been a writer. From childhood
on, she penned poems, cards, stories and other missives that, quite
frankly, only her parents could love. Thankfully, they did.

Over the decades, her writing career has taken many shapes. Whether
writing marketing literature, training materials or technical manuals,
writing children’s stories remains her passion.

She believes children’s stories can work magic—if you want them too.
They can stimulate the imagination, fuel dreams and goals, build social
skills, and create better world citizens. Like a story, the child unfolds
with the turning of each page.

Join with her in this innovative way to add learning, fun and adventure to a child’s life. Help create
tomorrow’s engaged and imaginative leaders and world citizens. And while you’re at it, let yourself
have some fun, too.

Have Something to Say?

Please Tell Us! We Learn by Sharing!
Share Your
• Ideas / Pictures / Success Stories / Testimonials

• Comments / Suggestions / Feedback / Other Questions

How
• Send your input to feedback@betinaaandbailey.com

Sign Up for Our Adventurer’s Club

& Be “In T he Know”
Membership Includes
• Advance notice of new adventures—know before the rest of the world!

• Special promotions, offers and discounts

• Other great updates and announcements

To Join
• Send an email to hello@betinaaandbailey.com and say, “Sign me up!”
 How to Use T his Book

Tips
• The story’s format is designed to act as a spring board for imagination,
conversation, and interaction.

• Encourage fanciful and fantastic descriptions.

• Engage in the exchange of ideas by sharing your own thoughts, ideas,

images, or past experiences. See where the conversation goes.

• Encourage the child/ren to draw pictures, verbalize images, or both.

Create multi-media images by:
– Cutting out pictures from magazines
– Using family photos and drawing around them
– Performing the story as a play

• Pick one of the topics in the story and explore it further. The options are abundant!

• Don’t worry if you don’t finish the adventure in one sitting. Finish it another day.
Often the best adventures take time to complete.

• Above all, HAVE FUN!

Teaching Points
Here are some of the high-level messages and lessons you can highlight and reinforce.

• Baseline Messages (common to all stories in the series)

– Let your imagination go. Fantastic images are encouraged. Have fun!
– If you can dream it, you can do it.
– There are no wrong answers. This is your book. Your thoughts, images,
and ideas are right.
– If you notice a typographical or grammatical error, use it as a teaching
opportunity. Besides correcting the mistake, you can reinforce other values:
patience, forgiveness, understanding, and flexibility. Simple mistakes happen.
Apologies, in advance.

• Story-specific Messages
– Take charge of your day.
– Be responsible for your actions.
– Make your own fun.
– Fun comes in many forms, often in simple pleasures.
– Clean up after yourself. Put things back as you found them.
– Practice good sportsmanship. Play fair and try your best.
– Help at home, especially when asked.
 “BORED!” Bailey declared with his hands on his hips. “I’m so bored! There’s nothing to do
around here!”
He turned the TV on then snapped it off. He started a video game then changed his mind.
He flipped through a book then tossed it aside.
It was no use. Nothing interested him.

Leading Questions & Discussion Points

1. Describe Bailey.
• How old do you think Bailey is?
– 5, 7, 9, 10, 11.
• What does he look like?
– Describe his hair (color, style, length), eyes, skin, height, and clothing.

2. Describe Bailey’s home, yard, neighborhood, and surroundings.

• Where does he live?
– City, country, suburbs, farm, forest, by the beach
– California; Ohio; Cuzco, Peru; Vienna, Austria; Cairo, Egypt
• What kind of building does he live in?
– A brick two-story house; a high-rise in Tokyo on the top floor; duplex
– Outside; in a tent; in a caravan; a nomadic life

3. Discuss boredom and reasons why boredom occurs. Describe the feelings.
• Why do you think Bailey is bored? What other feelings may he be feeling?
– Reasons: There’s no one to play with; it’s raining; nothing new/of interest
– Feelings: Listlessness; easily distracted; irritable; tired
• What color, smell or sound would you pick to describe these feelings? Why?

4. Discuss ways to relieve boredom.

• What things do you do to relieve boredom?
– Call a friend; play a game; read a book

Activity Suggestions
1. Play the Synonym / Antonym Game.
• Explain the difference between synonyms and antonyms.
• Select the words to use or use those provided.
– Boredom (disinterest, listlessness, doldrums) / Excitement (happiness, joy, glee)
– On (start, initiate, begin) / Off (stop, end, deactivate)
– Start (begin, initiate, activate, embark) / Stop (end, halt, quit, cease, desist)
– Interested (focussed, paying attention) / Distracted (uninterested, spaced out)
• Ask the child to act out or imitate what the words mean to him/her.
2. Make the story a play and encourage the child to perform the “scenes”.

3. Imitate Bailey’s stance and actions.

1
 With growing frustration, Bailey stomped towards the kitchen. As he rounded the corner,
he heard it. Whir-r-r. Whir-r-r. Immediately, delicious smells surrounded him and lifted his
spirits.

Leading Questions & Discussion Points

1. Speculate the cause of the sounds Bailey heard.
• What do you think made the sound?
– A blender?
– A mixer?
– A coffee grinder?
– A garbage disposal?

2. Speculate what smells good. Include things other than food items.
• What do you think smells so good? What smells good to you?
– Food Items: Cookies, dinner, lunch, bread baking
– Fragrances: Flowers, candles, soap, perfume
– Other Things: The clothes dryer
– Something else? What?

3. Name things that smell bad.

• What smells bad to you?
– Food: Rotten eggs, liver and onions
– Dirty Clothes: Gym clothes, old socks
– Other Things: A skunk, perfume, a candle

Activity Suggestions
1. Play the Synonym / Antonym Game.
• Frustration (stuck, blocked, discontent) / Excitement (happiness, joy, glee)
• Delicious (good, yummy, tasty) / Horrible (awful, yucky, bad)
• Lifted Spirits (happy, floating on air, exuberant) / Depression (sadness, despondent)

2. Perform the scene / Imitate Bailey’s actions and the sounds.

• Stomping towards the kitchen
• Whir-r-r sounds

2
 “What’re you making, Mom? Cookies? Can I help?” Bailey asked hopefully.
Turning off the mixer, his mom said, “I’m sorry, honey pie, not this time. Maybe later. Okay?”
Bailey shrugged. “Yeah. Sure. Whatever.”

Leading Questions & Discussion Points

1. Speculate what Bailey’s mom is making.
• Is she making cookies? Lunch? Dinner?

2. Describe the kitchen.

• How big is the kitchen?
• Where is it located? (on the first floor; next to the dining room; in the basement)
• Does it have any windows? If so, what do you see?
• Is the kitchen bright and sunny?
• What color are the walls? Are they covered with wallpaper?
• What else is in the kitchen? (appliances, table, cabinets, a pantry)
• What do the floors look like? (tile, marble, carpet, wood, dirt)

3. Describe Bailey’s mom.

• What does she look like? What kind of clothes does she wear?
– Hair (color, style, type), height, eye color
• How old is she?
• What is her name?
• Does she have a job outside of the house? What is it?
• Where does she work? How does she get there? (car, bus, train, walk, ride share)

4. Name and discuss the reasons why Bailey’s mom may not want Bailey’s help.
• The recipe may be too complicated.
• His mom may be making a new recipe.
• His mom simply may not want Bailey’s help.

5. Discuss how Bailey may feel because he can’t help.

• How do you think Bailey is feeling? (sad, frustrated, hurt, angry)
• What color, smell or sound would you pick to describe these feelings? Why?

Activity Suggestions
1. Play the Synonym / Antonym Game.
• Disappointment (letdown, bummer, hurt) / Happiness (excitement, joy, glee, bliss)
• Curiosity (interest, intrigue, inquisitiveness) / Boredom (apathy, complacency, disinterest)
• Hopeful (optimistic, expectant) / Dejected (sad, bummed, discouraged, glum)

2. Perform the scene / Imitate Bailey’s actions.

3
 He moped all the way to his bedroom and flung himself on the bed. Plumphf.
He flipped then flopped, tossed then turned. He stared at the ceiling then out the window.
After what seemed like forever, Bailey decided, “It looks like it’s up to me to make my own fun.
But how?”

Leading Questions & Discussion Points

1. Discuss Bailey’s feelings. Explain “mope”.
• How do you think he feels? (sad, disappointed, frustrated, hurt, angry, a mix)
• What color, smell or sound would you pick to describe these feelings? Why?

2 Describe Bailey’s bedroom.

• Where is his bedroom located? Which floor? In the front or back?
• What color are the walls? Are they wallpapered? What is the pattern?
• Are there windows? How many? What do you see out the window?
• What else is in the room? (desk, computer, bookshelf, toys, books)
• Is the room messy or clean?

3. Describe Bailey’s bed and pillows.

• What kind of bed does he have? (a cot, bunk beds, canopy bed, no bed)
• What do the blankets look like? (lime green cotton; chocolate fuzz, white down)
• How many pillows are on the bed?
• What do the pillows look like? (satiny, shaggy, green, orange, polka-dotted)

4. List things to do to make your own fun.

• What are things you do to make your own fun?
– Play outside or play a game
– Call a friend
– Build a model
– Read a book

5. Discuss why it is important to make your own fun.

• Why is it important to make your own fun?
– To prevent boredom, laziness, sadness, loneliness
– To be with others; to laugh; to be active

Activity Suggestions
1. Play the Synonym / Antonym Game.
• Mope (brood, sulk, pout) / Strut (walk proudly, swagger, parade)

2. Perform the scene / Imitate Bailey’s actions and the sounds.

• Moping to the bedroom
• Flinging himself onto the bed, Plumphf
• Flipping then flopping

4
 Want to Have Another Adventure?
Repeat or Fix a Page?
Want to Add to the Adventure?
T hen Use the CD and Begin Again!

Bonus Pages
• The Fun Book and CD contain blank book pages so you can
create more shoe adventures or revise the ending.

Ideas for the Next Use

• Use different colored paper.

• Use family photos for faces and draw around them.

• Make another version to give as a gift!

© 2009 Ruth A. Pavilonis. All rights reserved.

Copying, sharing, distributing or modifying the CD and the files contained on it are prohibited by law.
No portion of the CD may be used, reproduced or distributed in any form for commercial purposes.
 What to Do? What to Do?
Faced with the age-old dilemma, boredom, Bailey decides to take matters into his
own hands. Join Bailey & discover the mysteries hiding under the stairs.
Create with him great & wondrous adventures.

Take Reading Beyond the Mechanics &

Create Some Magic!
IMAGINE
– A multiple-use book that stimulates the
imagination and enables conversation.
– A book that builds critical-thinking, reading
comprehension, personal and social skills—while
meeting Language Arts education standards.
YOU
– Choose the character: Betina or Bailey
– Decide what the character looks like
– Create the images—or not
– Engage in the adventure & experience the magic

INTRODUCING
– The highly innovative, award-winning stories of
Betina & Bailey!
– The unique Facilitated Story™ format engages
the child from the start, encouraging the child
to get tactile with reading.
BENEFIT
– This interaction eases the transition from picture
books to the next level, helping the child progress
from a beginning reader to a skilled reader!
– The clever co-creation process enables others to
participate in the adventure.

– Excellent for home-schooling, tutoring programs,

babysitters, grandparents, travel, and more!

Honorable Mention
2007 London Book Festival • 2008 New England Book Festival

Endorsed By
Families • Teachers • Reading Specialists • Licensed Therapists • Counselors

Ruth A. Pavilonis, a writer & world traveler, T he Portable Adventure Pack Includes:
invites you to participate in this great adventure – Fun Book (the to-be-illustrated version)
of fun & fantastic imagination & interaction.
– The Companion Guide (your guide for added adventure)
She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book
– CD (contains the Fun Book PDF for multiple reprinting)
Writers & Illustrators and the Society for Technical
Communication.

Please visit: www.betinaandbailey.com

Printed with Lead-Free,
Child-Safe Ink
Ages 6 & Above USA $24.99

Printed on 100% PCW,

sustainably sourced paper
™

Juvenile Fiction
Language Arts & Disciplines a d v e n t u r e s