Blue, Barry & Pancakes: Big Time Trouble
#5 of 4 in Blue, Barry & Pancakes Series
illustrations by
on Goodreads (64)
What’s inside...
The fifth volume of the emerging readers graphic novel series follows three friends, a bunny, a worm, and a frog, as they embark on a time-bending adventure to help Blue, the bunny, overcome his stage fright. Before a big poetry reading, Blue freezes with stage fright, so the friends travel back in time to borrow a good luck charm from one of Blue's poet ancestors. However, Blue keeps needing more charms, leading to an endless loop of time travel. Despite their mistakes, Blue, Barry, and Pancakes always support each other, showcasing the importance of friendship.
Discussion points
What would you do if you were in Blue’s shoes when facing a big challenge?
How did Barry and Pancakes help each other during their adventure?
Why do you think teamwork was important in the story?
How did the characters' feelings change throughout the book?
What’s one lesson you learned from 'Blue, Barry & Pancakes: Big Time Trouble'?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in the characters' shoes, imagining how they would feel in similar situations.
Relate the themes of the book to your child’s own experiences with friends and challenges to deepen their connection to the story.
Discuss the importance of teamwork and ask your child about times they have worked with others to solve a problem.
Prompt your child to talk about different emotions the characters might have felt at various points in the story, linking it to their understanding of emotional expressions.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Cooperation
Explanation: Blue, Barry, and Pancakes work together to overcome challenges, demonstrating the power of collaboration.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or collaborating with siblings at home to achieve common goals.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving
Explanation: The characters face various problems throughout the story and must come up with creative solutions, showcasing effective problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to think critically and creatively when faced with challenges, whether in their academic tasks or in resolving conflicts with peers.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The characters take responsibility for their actions and the situations they find themselves in, learning to own up to their mistakes.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of being accountable for their actions, which is vital in building integrity and trustworthiness.
Example Lesson: Adaptability
Explanation: As the story progresses, the characters adapt to new environments and unexpected situations, showing flexibility.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the need to be flexible and adaptable, valuable skills in a rapidly changing world.
Example Lesson: Friendship
Explanation: Throughout their adventures, the strong bond between Blue, Barry, and Pancakes is evident, highlighting the value of true friendship.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to nurture and value their friendships, understanding the significant role friends play in their lives.