A Message in Mashed Potato
illustrations by
What’s inside...
The story revolves around a young boy who discovers mysterious messages hidden in his dinner, leading him and his friends on a thrilling adventure filled with puzzles, secrets, and a quest that could change their lives forever. In parallel, Lord Pomp wants a painting of himself, so he invites the village artist, Joy, to his castle. However, during dinner, Joy notices hidden messages in her food, unraveling secrets indicating that not everything in Castle Pomp is as it seems.
Discussion points
What do you think the main message of the story was?
How did the characters' actions make you feel?
What would you have done if you were in the main character's place?
Can you think of a time when you received a surprising message? How did you react?
What do you think happens after the story ends?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing your own thoughts or favorite moment from the book to make your child feel more comfortable sharing theirs.
Encourage your child to express their opinions and feelings about the story, even if they differ from your own.
Ask follow-up questions based on your child’s responses to dive deeper into their understanding and interpretation of the book.
Relate themes or situations from the book to real-life scenarios that your child might encounter, enhancing their empathy and decision-making skills.
Celebrate creative or imaginative answers, showing that there’s no right or wrong way to interpret a story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Communication
Explanation: The book showcases characters learning to express their feelings and thoughts through creative means, using mashed potatoes as their canvas.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to articulate their feelings and thoughts in constructive ways, helping them navigate social interactions and express themselves clearly.
Example Lesson: Value of Creativity
Explanation: Creativity is central to the plot as the main character uses imaginative methods to send messages. This encourages thinking outside the box.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to use their imagination in problem-solving, showing them that creativity can lead to unique solutions in real-life challenges.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: The protagonist encounters several obstacles but persists in communicating their message, emphasizing the importance of resilience.
Real-World Application: This lesson can inspire children to persist in their endeavors despite difficulties, reinforcing the importance of determination and hard work.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The characters in the story collaborate to decode the message, highlighting how working together can lead to success.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of cooperating with others to achieve common goals, which is essential in classroom projects and team sports.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Understanding the hidden messages in mashed potatoes teaches characters to consider others' perspectives and feelings.
Real-World Application: Promotes empathy by encouraging children to think about others' viewpoints and feelings, important in building strong interpersonal relationships.