Alfie's Great Escape (Blue Bananas)
Blue bananas Series
What’s inside...
A wacky story about a baboon named Alfie who escapes from his safari park and crashes a party. Initially, Alfie thinks that humans are nicer and never argue, unlike his animal friends. However, through a series of mischievous and chaotic events, he learns the importance of being a good friend and making amends after disagreements.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-7
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Alfie felt when he was trying to escape? Can you tell me about a time you felt that way?
What are some of the clever ways Alfie tried to escape? Which one was your favorite and why?
Why is teamwork important in Alfie's story? Can you think of a time when you worked with others to solve a problem?
How do the different characters in the book help Alfie? What does this tell us about friendship?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressions and voice modulation to mimic the characters' emotions while reading. This helps children understand and connect to the characters' feelings.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next at several points during the story. This keeps them engaged and thinking critically about the plot.
After reading, encourage your child to draw their favorite scene from the book. Discuss why they chose that particular scene.
Relate the story to your child’s real-life experiences to help them connect with the themes of teamwork and problem-solving.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: In 'Alfie's Great Escape', Alfie and his friends work together to find a way out of their predicament, demonstrating how collaboration can lead to success.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to cooperate with peers in school projects or in sports, understanding that collective effort often leads to greater accomplishments.
Example Lesson: Creativity in problem-solving
Explanation: Alfie uses his imagination to think of a clever plan to escape, showing that thinking outside the box can be very effective.
Real-World Application: Kids can be encouraged to use creative thinking to solve everyday challenges, such as finding innovative ways to tidy their room or resolve disputes with siblings.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Throughout the story, Alfie takes responsibility for leading his friends safely, highlighting the importance of being dependable and making thoughtful decisions.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to take responsibility for their actions and decisions, such as completing homework on time or caring for a pet.
Example Lesson: Courage and bravery
Explanation: Alfie shows courage when facing unfamiliar and challenging situations during his escape, teaching children the virtue of bravery in the face of adversity.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by standing up for themselves or others in difficult situations or trying out new activities which they might initially find intimidating.
Example Lesson: Joy of adventure
Explanation: The story captures the excitement and joy derived from embarking on new experiences, even when they’re a bit scary.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to embrace new experiences, whether it’s trying out a new hobby, making new friends, or exploring new places.