Bink & Gollie
#1 in Bink and Gollie Series
What’s inside...
Meet Bink and Gollie, two precocious little girls — one tiny, one tall, and both utterly irrepressible. Setting out from their super-deluxe tree house and powered by plenty of peanut butter (for Bink) and pancakes (for Gollie), they share three comical adventures involving painfully bright socks, an impromptu trek to the Andes, and a most unlikely marvelous companion. No matter where their roller skates take them, at the end of the day they will always be the very best of friends.
Why read this book
- Encourages friendship and cooperation.
- Vibrant illustrations enhance narrative engagement.
- Language development through playful dialogue.
- Builds emotional intelligence and empathy.
Discussion points
What do you think makes Bink and Gollie such good friends even though they are very different?
How do Bink and Gollie solve their disagreements? Can you think of a time when you resolved a conflict with a friend?
Why do you think Gollie loves adventures, and Bink loves collecting pancakes? What do you love and why?
How do the characters show that they care about each other's feelings throughout the story?
What lesson did you learn from Bink and Gollie's adventures?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, reinforcing that all perspectives are valuable.
Relate the themes of the book to your child’s experiences, asking them to recall times they interacted with friends or dealt with differences.
Discuss the importance of compromise and teamwork shown in the book, providing real-life examples of when these skills can be useful.
Highlight the unique traits of Bink and Gollie, prompting your child to think about their own individual qualities and those of their friends.
Use the book’s illustrations to discuss visual storytelling, asking your child what they can infer about the characters and scenes beyond the text.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The value of friendship and cooperation
Explanation: Throughout the book, Bink and Gollie encounter various challenges but learn to solve them by working together and valuing each other's opinions.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by learning to collaborate and compromise with their friends and siblings, enhancing their interpersonal relationships.
Example Lesson: Appreciating differences
Explanation: The characters Bink and Gollie have very different personalities and preferences, yet they show that these differences can strengthen friendships rather than weaken them.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to embrace diversity among peers, understanding that everyone’s unique qualities contribute to more enriching interactions and perspectives.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: In their adventures, Bink and Gollie face various scenarios that require quick thinking and problem-solving, demonstrating resilience and resourcefulness.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to face obstacles head-on, using critical thinking to navigate challenges in school and day-to-day activities.