![Book cover of '[(The Story of the Blue Planet)] [ By (author) Andri Magnason, Illustrated by Aslaug Jonsdottir, Translated by Julian D'arcy, Designed by Aslaug Jonsdottir ] [May, 2013]'](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdoppol-cdn-gegscnbjbshwbsea.z02.azurefd.net%2Fimages%2Fprod%2F9781609804299-1729906897233.webp&w=1000&q=75 "Uncover the story behind [(The Story of the Blue Planet)] [ By (author) Andri Magnason, Illustrated by Aslaug Jonsdottir, Translated by Julian D'arcy, Designed by Aslaug Jonsdottir ] [May, 2013]")
[(The Story of the Blue Planet)] [ By (author) Andri Magnason, Illustrated by Aslaug Jonsdottir, Translated by Julian D'arcy, Designed by Aslaug Jonsdottir ] [May, 2013]
What’s inside...
Brimir and Hulda are best friends who live on a small island on a planet where only children live. Their peaceful life is disrupted when Gleesome Goodday, a strange adult, arrives and promises to make life more fun with magical inventions. However, Goodday's gifts come at a cost: the children's youth. As the children become engrossed in their new games, Hulda and Brimir discover a dark side of the planet where children are suffering. They must convince their friends that Goodday is not as benevolent as he seems and save the pale, sickly children on the other side of the planet. A beautifully told fantastical adventure unfolds in this deceptively simple tale, challenging and delighting readers of all ages.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
96 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How would you feel if you lived on a planet where children made all the rules?
What do you think are the responsibilities of having power, like the children in the story?
How did the arrival of the stranger change the children's lives on the Blue Planet?
What are some ways the children could solve their problems without hurting others? Can you think of any examples from your own experience?
If you could create one rule for our world like the children in the story, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Begin the discussion with your child by expressing genuine interest in their opinions and feelings about the book. Use open-ended questions to encourage them to think critically and express themselves freely. Validate their feelings and perspectives, which helps build their confidence in sharing. Link themes from the book to your child's daily experiences to make the conversation more relatable. Encourage creative thinking by asking them to come up with alternative endings or different scenarios based on the book’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Environmental Responsibility
Explanation: The story brings to the forefront the importance of taking care of our planet. It prompts children to think about the implications of their choices on the environment.
Real-World Application: Children learn to be mindful of their daily activities, such as recycling and conserving water, to positively impact the environment.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Greed
Explanation: The narrative deals with characters who face negative outcomes due to greedy decisions, showing that selfishness can lead to harmful consequences not only for themselves but also for others around them.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to share and make decisions that consider the well-being of others in their community, such as sharing toys and helping friends.
Example Lesson: Critical Thinking
Explanation: The book challenges young readers to question the motives and actions of characters, fostering a sense of skepticism and the importance of questioning information before accepting it.
Real-World Application: This lesson equips children with the ability to analyze situations in their own lives, make informed decisions, and understand different viewpoints.
Example Lesson: Value of Friendship
Explanation: Through the interactions between characters, the importance of loyalty, trust, and support among friends is highlighted.
Real-World Application: Children learn to value and nurture relationships, understanding how to be a good friend in school and in playgroups.
Example Lesson: Courage to Correct Wrongs
Explanation: Characters in the story often face situations where they must stand up against wrongs and make tough decisions to correct them, teaching the virtue of bravery in the face of adversity.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to speak up and act against injustices or incorrect behaviors they observe, whether at home, school, or during play.