A Beasty Story
What’s inside...
In a dark, dark house, in a dark, dark wood lurks a creepy, beasty . . . BEAST! But don't be scared--this beast may not be so beastly after all. The beloved Bill Martin Jr and Steven Kellogg bring their enormous talents together to create a ghoulish story that's both scary and snug. Includes fun new book-related activities! A group of mice venture into a dark, dark woods where they find a dark brown house with a dark red stair leading past other dark colors to a spooky surprise. 50,000 first printing.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the colors in the book represent in the story? How do they make you feel?
Can you imagine what it would be like if you were in the story? What would you do if you met the Beasty?
What do you think is the most important message of the story? How would you help the characters if you could?
Why do you think the characters reacted the way they did? Would you react the same way or differently?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the book using descriptive words, reinforcing their understanding and emotional intelligence.
Guide them to make personal connections with the story’s events or characters, which can enhance empathy and comprehension.
Praise their insights and answers, fostering a positive environment that encourages continued interest and discussion about reading.
Ask them to draw a scene from the book, helping them visually express and process the story’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in confronting fears
Explanation: In 'A Beasty Story', the characters face a spooky, mysterious setting with bravery as they journey through a haunted house to uncover what lies behind each door.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by facing their fears, whether it's trying new activities or addressing something they find scary, thus fostering resilience and bravery.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: Throughout the story, the different characters work together to solve puzzles and brave the haunted house, demonstrating the power of teamwork.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to collaborate with peers in group projects or team sports, showing them how combined efforts can lead to greater success.
Example Lesson: Color recognition and counting
Explanation: The story weaves through rooms of different colors and uses repetitive, rhythmic counting, which helps children learn to identify colors and practice counting in a fun, engaging way.
Real-World Application: Children can use these skills in everyday life, such as organizing their toys by color or counting items during play, enhancing their cognitive development.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and exploration
Explanation: The characters' adventure in exploring the haunted house encourages curiosity and the desire to discover new things.
Real-World Application: This lesson can inspire children to explore new topics in books or their environment, fostering a lifelong love of learning and discovery.
Example Lesson: Understanding emotions
Explanation: The book addresses different emotions such as fear, excitement, and relief, helping children identify and understand various emotional states.
Real-World Application: This supports children in recognizing and articulating their own emotions and empathizing with others, which is crucial for their social and emotional development.