Badger's New House
on Goodreads (62)
What’s inside...
After moving into a grand new house and fixing up his old one for Grandmother Mouse, Badger realizes that he misses his former home. Badger loves his cozy little cottage, despite its imperfections. However, after a huge storm damages it, he sells it to Grandmother Mouse and moves to a mansion. Feeling lost and lonely, Badger is happy to help fix things at the cottage when invited over by Grandmother Mouse. Each visit, he repairs something new, eventually restoring the cottage to its former glory. Realizing the only problem left is that it's too small for Grandmother Mouse's family, Badger finds a solution for that as well.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think made Badger choose that particular spot for his new house?
How do you think Badger felt when his friends helped him?
What would you do if you were Badger and needed help from your friends?
Can you think of a time when you helped someone like Badger's friends did? How did that make you feel?
If you could add another room to Badger's house, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and emotions about the story, relating it to their own experiences of friendship and teamwork.
Ask your child to draw their version of Badger’s new house or to create a new character who could be Badger’s neighbor, promoting creativity and deeper connection with the story.
Discuss the importance of helping others and teamwork, highlighting how Badger’s friends contributed to building the house.
While reading, pause at key events and ask predictive questions like 'What do you think will happen next?' to keep your child engaged and thinking critically.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Adaptability
Explanation: Badger faces various challenges while building his new house, which teaches him to adapt to different circumstances.
Real-World Application: Children learn to adjust to new environments and situations, helping them to develop resilience.
Example Lesson: Value of Teamwork
Explanation: Badger receives help from his friends throughout the construction process, emphasizing the importance of working together.
Real-World Application: Children understand that cooperation and collaboration can lead to achieving goals more effectively.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving Skills
Explanation: Throughout the story, Badger encounters and solves problems during his house building, enhancing his critical thinking skills.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to think critically and creatively when faced with obstacles.
Example Lesson: Persistence
Explanation: Badger’s determination to finish his house despite setbacks illustrates the importance of persistence.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the value of continuing efforts despite difficulties, promoting a strong work ethic.