A Place to Call Home
What’s inside...
Seven little junkyard critters venture out of their small, dark hole on a charmingly madcap quest for a new home, with laugh-out-loud results. When a band of brothers outgrows the dim confines of their birthplace, there is no other choice but to set out into the world on a grand adventure. Timid and terrified at first, they soon find ingenious ways to simulate the safety of their familiar hole. They bravely cross a muddy sea, climb a discarded mountain, survive an appliance-like labyrinth, and finally reach the edge of the world. What will they see there, and will they ever find a place they can call their own? Loaded with visual humor and breathless commentary by the intrepid crew, this comic book-style tale of solidarity and daring will have readers giggling, cheering, and ready to see the world in a new way.
Age
3-7
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the animals felt when they were looking for a new home? Can you describe their emotions?
What do you think makes a good home? How did the animals decide if somewhere was right for them?
Why do you think teamwork was important for the animals in the story?
How do the different environments in the book compare to where we live? What's similar and what's different?
If you could create a perfect home like the animals, what would it look like and who would live there with you?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive read-aloud techniques to bring the characters and settings to life, encouraging your child to imagine the different homes.
After reading, relate the story to your child’s experiences by discussing any moves or significant changes your family has undergone and how they felt during those times.
Encourage your child to draw their perfect home and discuss the features that make it ideal, linking back to the story’s themes of safety and belonging.
Ask your child to think about how they help at home and how teamwork is used in your family, drawing parallels to the animals' collaboration in the book.
Revisit the story after a few days and let your child tell you the story from memory, helping them to sequence events and recall details.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: In 'A Place to Call Home', the journey of the small creatures seeking a new home teaches empathy by showing the challenges they face and overcome together.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be empathetic towards their peers who might be facing challenges, understanding that everyone has their own struggles and deserves support.
Example Lesson: Importance of teamwork
Explanation: The story illustrates how the animals work together to find their new home, demonstrating that teamwork can make daunting tasks more manageable.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be applied in group activities at school or with siblings at home, teaching children that cooperating with others can lead to successful outcomes.
Example Lesson: Adaptability to change
Explanation: As the characters in the book navigate through unfamiliar territory, they learn to adapt to their changing surroundings, an essential skill for their survival.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to be adaptable when facing new situations such as moving to a new school or adjusting to a new family dynamic.
Example Lesson: Courage in the face of adversity
Explanation: Despite their fears, the creatures brave unknown perils in search of a better place, showing courage throughout their journey.
Real-World Application: This story can help children understand the value of facing their fears and the importance of bravery when encountering new or intimidating situations.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: The determination of the characters to keep going, despite numerous setbacks, serves as a lesson in resilience.
Real-World Application: Children learn that perseverance in the face of difficulties is crucial and that not giving up can lead to achieving one's goals.