Bobbo Goes to School
on Goodreads (94)
What’s inside...
When Lily throws her favorite stuffed toy, Bobbo, onto the top of a school bus, she fears she has lost him forever. Unbeknownst to her, Bobbo embarks on an exciting adventure at school. Throughout this drama-packed book, readers follow Bobbo's journey and Lily's race to reunite with her beloved toy, while also getting a glimpse into the school environment. Shirley Hughes's portrayal captures the worries of a preschooler and offers a comforting look into an appealing world filled with reassurance.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-5
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Bobbo felt when he went to school? Can you describe a time when you felt the same way?
What are some ways that we can help someone else feel welcome when they're new to a place?
Why do you think it's important for everyone to have a friend?
What did you learn from the story about how we treat others?
If you could ask Bobbo one question, what would it be?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about starting new experiences, similar to Bobbo’s first day at school, and relate them to their personal encounters.
Discuss the value of friendship and empathy by reflecting on the characters’ interactions in the story.
Prompt your child to think about how they can apply the lessons from Bobbo's story in their own life, especially in school and with new friends.
After reading, use role-play to reenact scenes from the book to help your child better understand and internalize the characters' emotions and responses.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: Bobbo the teddy bear experiences several emotions as he accidentally ends up in a school. Through his journey, children see how new environments can feel both exciting and intimidating.
Real-World Application: Children can relate this to their own experiences of starting school or any new activity, learning to understand and empathize with the feelings of others in similar situations.
Example Lesson: Importance of Responsibility
Explanation: The story promotes taking care of one’s belongings as the little girl in the story learns to keep a closer watch on her beloved teddy bear, Bobbo, after losing him.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to take better care of their personal items and understand the consequences of negligence.
Example Lesson: Resilience and Problem Solving
Explanation: Bobbo faces challenges in the unfamiliar environment of a school, which he overcomes with resilience. His journey back to the safety of the little girl's arms teaches problem-solving.
Real-World Application: Children learn to navigate through their own challenges and understand that it’s possible to overcome obstacles with determination.