Bawdy McPea's Circus of Fleas!
What’s inside...
Join in the fun as Bawdy McPea opens a tiny but marvellous circus with a talented troupe of fleas. This children's book takes readers through a whimsical tale filled with humor, circus antics, and the challenges and triumphs of flea-sized performers. Meanwhile, Shawn the Flea dreams of being a circus performer like his uncle, Bawdy McFlea. As he explores different circus roles, he wonders if he will be a juggling clown flea, a strong-flea, or a high-flying trapeze flea. With determination and exploration, Shawn seeks to find his special skill and make his Uncle Bawdy proud.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think makes Bawdy McPea's circus special?
How do the fleas in the circus work together to perform their acts?
If you were a part of this circus, what talent would you like to showcase?
How do you feel when something unexpected happens in the story?
What lesson did you learn from Bawdy McPea and the fleas?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts on the circus acts by asking them to describe their favorite performance.
Discuss the importance of teamwork as portrayed by the fleas and ask your child about times they had to work in a team.
Let your child imagine being a circus performer and ask them to think about what skills they would like to develop.
Talk about the character of Bawdy McPea and ask what qualities your child thinks make a good leader or entertainer.
After reading, encourage your child to draw their favorite scene or character from the book to deepen their connection to the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Cooperation
Explanation: Throughout 'Bawdy McPea's Circus of Fleas!', the flea characters must work together to perform their circus acts successfully.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of collaborating and supporting each other in group activities at school or in sports.
Example Lesson: Resilience and Perseverance
Explanation: The flea circus faces several challenges, but Bawdy McPea encourages the fleas to keep practicing and improving their acts.
Real-World Application: This story helps children understand that facing difficulties is a part of life, and persistence can lead to overcoming obstacles and achieving goals.
Example Lesson: Respect for Diversity
Explanation: The circus features fleas from various backgrounds, each with unique talents that contribute to the show’s success.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and value the differences in people around them, promoting inclusivity and respect in their interactions.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Innovation
Explanation: The fleas constantly invent new tricks and acts to keep their circus entertaining.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to think creatively in their playtime and problem-solving, showing that innovation can lead to exciting results.
Example Lesson: Joy in Learning
Explanation: The fleas find joy in mastering their circus acts, which makes the hard work worthwhile.
Real-World Application: Instills a positive attitude towards learning new skills, emphasizing that education can be enjoyable and rewarding.