Barb the Brave
#3 of 3 in Barb the Last Berzerker Series
What’s inside...
Disney’s Brave meets Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man in this side-splitting graphic novel about a young girl named Barb, a Berzerker warrior, who must rescue her fellow warriors from the evil villain Witch Head before he destroys the world. Using the power from his magical sword, Witch Head captures all the warriors except Barb. Armed with Witch Head’s sword, Barb, along with her best friend Porkchop the yeti, battles various monsters like vampire goat fiends and snot goblins to free her comrades and stop Witch Head from taking over the land of Bailiwick. As Barb delves deeper into her quest, controlling the sword's power becomes increasingly challenging. Will she succeed in rescuing her fellow warriors and save the world? The action of Moana meets the humor of books like Dog Man in this explosive and uproariously funny third book following Barb and her friends as they face off against Witch Head’s Shadow Army. Barb is being held prisoner by the evil Witch Head at his lair, Castle Skunkwark. Injured and weakened, Barb is no match for the villain, but they both get a surprise when Raven, her Berzerker mom, appears to rescue Barb. The mother-daughter duo gets away but can’t stop Witch Head’s nefarious plan; he’s summoning a powerful army from the Shadow Realm and sending them to take over Bailiwick for him, once and for all. Can a ragtag crew of berzerkers and five Wise Wizards with rusty powers find a way to beat the infamous Shadow Army? Can Barb figure out how to harness the mystical power of the Ghost Blade to lead the charge? And can Porkchop make sure everybody has enough snacks?
Discussion points
What do you think makes Barb brave?
How did Barb's actions change the way other characters felt or behaved?
Can you think of a time when you had to be brave like Barb?
What would you have done if you were in Barb's place in the story?
How do you think the story would change if Barb made different choices?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the story to their own experiences by asking them about times they faced challenges and how they overcame them.
After reading, ask your child to draw a scene where they felt Barb was the bravest. Discuss why they chose that particular scene.
Use expressive reading to highlight moments of bravery and challenge in the story, making the discussion about Barb’s courage more impactful.
Create a 'bravery chart' where you and your child can add examples of daily bravery, inspired by Barb's actions in the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in the face of fear
Explanation: Barb, the protagonist, demonstrates bravery by confronting challenges that initially scare her, showing that fear is a natural emotion but can be overcome.
Real-World Application: Children learn to face their own fears, whether it’s trying new activities or standing up for themselves and others.
Example Lesson: Importance of teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the story, Barb collaborates with her friends to solve problems, underlining that working together can achieve greater results than working alone.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to collaborate with peers in school projects or in sports, fostering a sense of community and cooperation.
Example Lesson: Resilience in adversity
Explanation: Barb encounters numerous setbacks but remains determined and keeps trying, illustrating the value of perseverance.
Real-World Application: Children are reminded to keep trying in the face of difficulties, whether it's mastering a new skill or coping with change.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Barb shows empathy by listening and responding to the feelings of others, leading to stronger friendships and solutions to conflicts.
Real-World Application: Teaches children to be considerate of others' emotions and perspectives, which is crucial in building strong, supportive relationships.
Example Lesson: Creativity in problem-solving
Explanation: The story showcases Barb using creative means to tackle obstacles, emphasizing that thinking outside the box can lead to innovative solutions.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to use their imagination to solve problems, enhancing their cognitive flexibility and creative thinking.