A New Friend (The Animals of Farthing Wood)
#2 in The animals of Farthing Wood Series
on Goodreads (7)
What’s inside...
Adapted from TV episodes, the four books in this series portray the animal characters and the excitement of their adventures in colour illustrations and easy-to-read text. The original novel won author Colin Dann the Arts Council's National Award for Children's Fiction in 1979.
Discussion points
How did the characters in the story feel when they met the new friend? Can you describe a time you felt that way?
Why do you think it’s important for the animals in Farthing Wood to work together? How does teamwork help them?
What would you do if you were in a similar situation as the characters? How would you help a new friend?
How did the new friend change the group’s dynamic? What do you think makes someone a good friend?
What did you learn from this story that you can use in your own friendships?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story. Affirm and validate their emotions to help build their confidence in expressing themselves.
Relate the themes of the book to your child’s personal experiences. This connection can make the discussion more meaningful and relatable.
Ask follow-up questions based on your child’s responses to the key questions to deepen the discussion and encourage critical thinking.
Utilize praise and encouragement to foster a positive reading experience. Highlight your child's insights to make them feel valued and understood.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship and cooperation
Explanation: In 'A New Friend', the animals of Farthing Wood learn to work together despite their differences to overcome challenges. This theme is central as they welcome a new member into their group and illustrate the value of companionship.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to collaborate with their peers in school projects or playground activities, understanding that everyone’s unique abilities contribute to achieving a common goal.
Example Lesson: Adaptability and embracing change
Explanation: The animals face several changes and challenges in their environment, teaching them to adapt. The introduction of a new friend highlights the adaptability needed to accept new members into their community.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children to be open to changes in their lives, such as moving to a new place or adjusting to a new sibling, seeing these changes as opportunities for growth and making new friendships.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Throughout the book, the animals often put aside their personal needs to help others. This shows the importance of empathy, as they learn to understand and feel for the new friend who is unfamiliar with their ways.
Real-World Application: Children learn to be considerate of the feelings of others, whether it’s by sharing toys or offering support to a classmate who may feel left out, thus fostering a supportive community.
Example Lesson: Courage in facing fears
Explanation: As the storyline progresses, the characters face various fears but learn to overcome them with the support of one another, illustrating the courage it takes to face the unknown.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to face their own fears, such as trying out for a sports team or speaking in front of their class, knowing that it is okay to feel scared but also possible to overcome it with support.