Best Beast (Xist Children's Chapter Books)
What’s inside...
When a little girl wishes she could have a pet, she gets more than she asked for. Amy wants a pet so she can enter the pet parade competition and win a holiday vacation for her family. Her dad is out of work and her mom insists the family can't afford a dog or cat or even a crab. When Amy receives a magic rock from a crazy old lady, she discovers that her pet may not just beat the competition, it just might eat them too!
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-11
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think makes the beast in the story the 'best'? Can you think of qualities that make someone the best at something?
How did the characters in the book react to challenges? How would you react in a similar situation?
What do you think is the most important lesson the beast learns in the story? Why?
If you could meet the beast, what questions would you ask it?
How do you think the story would change if it took place in our town?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to compare their own experiences with those of the characters, fostering a personal connection to the story.
Highlight the emotions encountered by the characters in the story, asking your child how they might feel in similar circumstances.
Ask open-ended questions that prompt your child to think critically about the story's themes, sparking deeper engagement.
If possible, relate themes or events from the book to real-world examples, making the narrative more relevant to your child's understanding.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings or plot twists to foster creativity and speculative thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: In 'Best Beast,' characters learn to understand and empathize with creatures that initially seem scary or different. The story demonstrates the importance of looking beyond appearances to understand others' true natures.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by being open to making friends with peers who might seem different from them, learning to listen and understand different perspectives.
Example Lesson: Courage and Bravery
Explanation: The characters in the book face their fears when dealing with misunderstood beasts. It shows that bravery isn’t about being fearless, but about facing fears and doing what’s right despite them.
Real-World Application: This can be translated into a child's life by encouraging them to face new challenges, whether it’s trying out for a sports team, standing up for a friend, or speaking in front of a class.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters encounter various challenges that require creative thinking and problem-solving skills. These scenarios demonstrate the value of using intellect and creativity to navigate difficulties.
Real-World Application: Children learn that thinking critically and coming up with solutions can be applied in their daily challenges, such as resolving conflicts with siblings or figuring out a difficult homework problem.
Example Lesson: Importance of Teamwork
Explanation: The characters often collaborate to overcome obstacles, highlighting how teamwork can lead to success. It illustrates that working together and combining strengths can achieve more than working alone.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of collaborating in group activities at school or in sports, fostering a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect among peers.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Characters in 'Best Beast' encounter setbacks but learn to persevere and not give up. The narrative supports the idea that resilience is key to overcoming adverse situations.
Real-World Application: This lesson is crucial in teaching children to bounce back from disappointments, be it a poor grade or losing a game, helping them build a resilient and persistent attitude towards life’s challenges.