Barry the Fish with Fingers and the Hairy Scary Monster
#1 in Barry the Fish with Fingers Series
on Goodreads (107)
What’s inside...
Barry and his fishy friends are playing Hide and Seek. Puffy finds a great hiding spot in an old wreck, but gets terrified when he spots a hairy monster lurking in the shadows. Barry, the fish with fingers, comes to the rescue and finds out that the 'monster' is actually a friendly seahorse in need of a haircut. Barry helps the seahorse, turning a scary situation into a new friendship.
Character compass
Barry The Fish With Fingers
Hairy Scary Monster
Discussion points
What do you think made the Hairy Scary Monster feel misunderstood?
How did Barry and his friends help the monster, and what does that teach us about helping others?
What would you do if you met someone who was different from you, like the Hairy Scary Monster?
How did the story change your feelings about what makes someone 'scary'?
What are some ways we can all be like Barry when we meet new friends?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the characters and their actions. Use the questions to guide a deeper understanding of empathy and acceptance, drawing parallels to real-life situations. Validate their feelings and praise their insights to boost confidence in expressing themselves. Lastly, emphasize the fun and creative aspects of storytelling by perhaps imagining alternate endings or new adventures for Barry and his friends.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Bravery in facing fears
Explanation: Barry the Fish shows courage when confronting the Hairy Scary Monster, teaching children that it's okay to feel scared and it's brave to face their fears.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by bravely facing new challenges, such as trying out for a sports team or speaking in front of their class, knowing it's okay to feel nervous.
Example Lesson: Importance of teamwork
Explanation: Barry and his friends work together to confront the monster, demonstrating that teamwork can help solve problems that seem too big to handle alone.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to collaborate with their peers in school projects or share tasks at home, fostering a cooperative spirit.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: The story unveils that the monster is not mean but simply misunderstood, teaching kids to empathize with others and seek to understand their perspectives.
Real-World Application: Children can practice empathy by being kind to new students or siblings, trying to see things from their viewpoint.
Example Lesson: Creativity in problem-solving
Explanation: Barry uses his unique 'fingers' to distract the monster, illustrating that sometimes creative solutions are needed to address challenges.
Real-World Application: This can be applied in a child's life by encouraging them to think of innovative ways to deal with small problems, like organizing their toys or managing simple disputes with friends.