A Stew for the Crew: (BookLife Readers)
BookLife readers Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
A group of friends embarks on a fun-filled adventure to prepare a stew for their school festival. Along the way, they encounter various obstacles and work together to overcome them, learning valuable lessons in teamwork and friendship. In another story, Saul's crew is coming over for tea and Nan suggests making a stew. She needs a little helper, and it's time for Saul to shine as he steps up to help cook the stew.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think each character in the story might have felt when they tasted the stew?
How did the crew work together to make the stew? Can you think of a time when we worked together like that?
Why do you think sharing a meal is important in the story?
What would you add to the stew if you were part of the crew? Why?
How do you think the story would change if there was no stew at all?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, relating it to their own experiences. This promotes empathy and understanding. Use the questions to guide a deeper conversation about cooperation, sharing, and creativity, highlighting these values by linking them to real-life family activities or situations. Help them visualize scenes by asking them to draw their version of the 'stew for the crew' or other key moments.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Cooperation
Explanation: In 'A Stew for the Crew,' characters work together to gather ingredients and cook a stew, demonstrating the importance of teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to cooperate with their peers in school projects or team sports, understanding that collective effort leads to success.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: The crew faces challenges in finding the right ingredients, teaching problem-solving as they think critically to resolve their issues.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think critically and solve problems when they encounter obstacles in their daily activities or during academic tasks.
Example Lesson: Sharing and Generosity
Explanation: As the crew shares the stew with everyone, the story highlights the values of sharing and generosity.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of sharing with siblings and friends, fostering a sense of community and kindness.
Example Lesson: Following Instructions
Explanation: The recipe for the stew requires following specific steps, demonstrating the value of following instructions carefully.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand the importance of following directions in school, at home, or while learning new skills.
Example Lesson: Cultural Appreciation
Explanation: The diverse ingredients in the stew introduce the concept of cultural diversity and appreciation.
Real-World Application: Children can become more open to experiencing and respecting different cultures through food, festivals, and peer interactions.