Ben's New Friends
What’s inside...
Follow the heartwarming life of Ben, a Virginia Border Collie. Meet his loving human parents—Don and Sherri—and their grandchildren. Share Ben’s joy when he spends time with his two adopted feline sisters—Emma and Pipin—and the three adorable pet rabbits on the farm. Finally, share our Border Collie’s excitement when his parents adopt two additional animals and friends for Ben: a cute dwarf goat named Snuggles and an awesome American Paint Horse named Bentley.
Age
5-9
Length
28 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did Ben feel when he first met his new friends?
What are some ways that Ben showed kindness to others in the story?
How do you think Ben's new friends felt when he helped them?
Can you think of a time when you made a new friend? What did you do together?
Why is it important to be kind and helpful to others?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child what they think the story might be about based on the title and cover, setting the stage for active engagement.
While reading, pause at key moments to ask your child how they think characters are feeling, encouraging empathy and understanding.
After reading, relate the story to your child’s own experiences by discussing similar situations they might have encountered, fostering personal connections to the book’s themes.
Encourage your child to draw a picture of their favorite scene or character, promoting a deeper connection and understanding of the story's message.
Validate all responses and emotions your child shares during the discussion, ensuring a safe and open dialogue about their thoughts and feelings.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of kindness
Explanation: In 'Ben's New Friends,' Ben meets various animals who are initially wary of each other. Through acts of kindness, they learn to trust and befriend one another.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by being kind to classmates and peers, helping to create a friendly and inclusive environment at school or in playgroups.
Example Lesson: Embracing diversity
Explanation: Ben encounters animals of different species, each with unique traits and abilities. The book demonstrates how embracing diversity enriches friendships.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to appreciate and learn from differences among people, fostering an open-minded attitude in diverse settings like schools or community centers.
Example Lesson: The value of teamwork
Explanation: As the story progresses, the animal friends collaborate to solve problems, showing how teamwork leads to success.
Real-World Application: Children can use this insight during group activities or team sports, understanding that cooperation and joint effort yield better results.
Example Lesson: Overcoming shyness
Explanation: Ben, initially shy, slowly opens up to making new friends, illustrating the benefits of stepping out of one’s comfort zone.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to participate in new activities and social engagements, helping them build confidence and social skills.
Example Lesson: Handling conflicts peacefully
Explanation: In the book, moments of disagreement among the animals are resolved peacefully, teaching effective conflict resolution techniques.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these practices when dealing with disagreements with peers, promoting peaceful and constructive resolutions.