Animal Ark Book and Tape Special: Kitten in the Cold
Animal Ark Series
on Goodreads (11)
What’s inside...
A cassette containing two 'Animal Ark' tales. 'Sheepdog in the Snow' tells how a wounded stray sheepdog turns up on Christmas Day and Mandy must save its life. In 'Kitten in the Cold', Mandy is busy looking for a missing kitten during Christmas. Mandy and James are also helping to raise money for Alex Hasting's treatment, whose pet kitten, Amber, helps keep her spirits up until it disappears, leaving Alex heartbroken.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-8
Length
60 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the kitten felt being out in the cold? What would you do if you found a kitten like that?
What actions did the characters take to help the kitten? Which of those actions was the most important, and why?
How did the characters work together to help the kitten? Can you think of a time when you worked together with someone to help another?
What do you think is the message of the story? Why is it important to help animals in need?
If you were to tell this story to a friend, what parts would you include and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage empathy by exploring the feelings of the kitten and other characters. Ask your child how they might feel in a similar situation.
Discuss the actions of the characters in depth to understand decision making and the impact of these decisions on the kitten's life.
Highlight the theme of teamwork by asking your child about times they have collaborated with others and the outcome of that collaboration.
Focus on the moral of the story and its application in real life, prompting your child to think about how they can help animals and people in their community.
Encourage your child to recount the story in their own words to develop their narrative skills and ensure they understood the key themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Compassion
Explanation: In 'Kitten in the Cold', the story revolves around the rescue and care of a lost kitten during a harsh winter, which serves as a narrative to teach children about showing kindness and concern for animals and others in need.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to notice when others are in distress and understand the importance of providing help and comfort, fostering a nurturing attitude towards animals and people alike.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Taking care of the kitten requires the characters to be responsible and diligent. This aspect of the story emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for another life.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to take on more responsibilities at home, such as caring for pets, helping with chores, and being accountable for their actions.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving
Explanation: The characters in the book face various challenges in protecting and caring for the kitten. They must think critically and creatively to solve these problems, which highlights the value of effective problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: Children can apply problem-solving skills in their daily lives, whether in academic settings, social scenarios, or in overcoming personal challenges.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The rescue and subsequent care of the kitten require collaboration and teamwork among the characters, showcasing how working together can lead to positive outcomes.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the importance of cooperating with others, sharing tasks, and respecting different ideas to achieve a common goal.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Throughout the book, the characters remain determined and hopeful despite difficulties, teaching children the value of resilience in facing life's challenges.
Real-World Application: Children learn to stay persistent and optimistic regardless of the obstacles they face, helping them develop a resilient mindset for the future.