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Baloney and Friends: Going Up!

#2 of 3 in Baloney And Friends Series

4.11
on Goodreads (317)

What’s inside...

In 'Going Up!', Baloney and his friends Peanut, Bizz, and Krabbit embark on a new set of hilarious adventures. They'll face challenges and make new discoveries, going as far as outer space and dealing with everyday situations with their signature humor and friendship. In the second book of this easy-to-read graphic novel series from an award-winning creator, four funny animal friends and their wacky adventures will inspire young readers to write and draw their own stories. Newly independent readers will giggle through more day-to-day adventures, whether it's writing lyrics to their own original theme song, having an epic sleepover in a tent, experimenting with a new device that lets them reach for the sky, or pondering deep thoughts about the world around them. This new collection of three tales and mini-comics will have readers cheering for Baloney the pig, Bizz the bumblebee, Peanut the horse, and Krabbit the grumpy rabbit. At the end, readers will learn to draw each character with different facial expressions and emotions by following clear step-by-step instructions.
In series
Series reading

Non-Sequential

Age

6-9

Length

96 pages

Text complexity

Character compass

Baloney
Krabbit
Peanut
Bizz

Discussion points

What do you think Baloney and his friends were feeling when they went on their adventure?
How did the characters work together to solve problems?
What would you have done if you were in Baloney’s place during the story?
How do you think the story would change if it happened in our town?
What was your favorite part of the book, and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story by asking them to describe their favorite scenes or characters. Use the book’s illustrations to spark questions about what might happen next or how characters are feeling. Help them relate the story to their own experiences by asking if they’ve ever felt similar to any of the characters. Discuss the morals or lessons learned from Baloney’s adventures and how they can be applied in real life. Read together and laugh together, making the reading session enjoyable and memorable.

Key lessons

Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: In 'Baloney and Friends: Going Up!', the characters work together to overcome challenges and achieve their goals, demonstrating the importance of collaboration.
Real-World Application: Children learn to cooperate with others in school projects or sports, understanding that teamwork can lead to success.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: The book showcases how Baloney and friends creatively tackle problems they encounter, emphasizing critical thinking and resourcefulness.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply these skills to solve daily puzzles or academic challenges, boosting their confidence and resilience.
Example Lesson: Handling Failure
Explanation: Characters in the book sometimes fail but learn from their experiences, which highlights the value of persistence and learning from mistakes.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to view setbacks as learning opportunities, helping them cope with and grow from their own mistakes.
Example Lesson: The Power of Imagination
Explanation: Throughout 'Baloney and Friends: Going Up!', imagination drives the adventures, stressing creativity and innovation.
Real-World Application: This lesson inspires children to use their imagination in play or learning scenarios, enhancing their creative thinking skills.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: As the characters interact, they show empathy towards each other’s feelings and perspectives, teaching emotional intelligence.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this understanding to foster better relationships with peers and family, improving their social interactions.

Baloney and Friends: Going Up! by Greg Pizzoli