Bobby the Brave (Sometimes) (Bobby Vs Girls)
Bobby Series
What’s inside...
From Lisa Yee and Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat comes a hilarious sequel to Bobby vs. Girls (Accidentally). Bobby Ellis-Chan faces a series of frightening and embarrassing challenges, from playing sports with his football-hero dad to having an asthma attack in public. As he navigates through these obstacles, including dancing on stage in the school musical and dealing with a cat with 27 toes, Bobby must find the courage to overcome his fears and come out on top.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
160 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Bobby Ellis-Chan
Holly Harper
Mr. Ellis-Chan
Casey Ellis-Chan
Discussion points
How do you think Bobby felt when he was trying to be brave? Can you share a time when you felt the same?
What does bravery mean to you? Do you think it's important to be brave sometimes?
How did Bobby's friends help him in the story? Why do you think friendship is important?
Can you think of a different way Bobby could have handled his challenges?
What did you learn from Bobby's experiences in the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate personal experiences by sharing your own stories of bravery, emphasizing that it's okay to feel scared sometimes.
Highlight the importance of friendship and teamwork discussed in the book, and relate it to your child’s everyday interactions.
Ask your child open-ended questions about the story to help them develop critical thinking and connect the book's themes to their own life.
Listen attentively to your child’s responses, showing them that their thoughts and feelings are valued and important.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage and Resilience
Explanation: Bobby demonstrates courage and resilience by facing his fears and standing up in situations that are uncomfortable, whether in interactions with his school peers or in confronting his own emotions.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to face their own fears and challenges, whether it's trying something new or standing up for themselves or others in difficult situations.
Example Lesson: Importance of Honesty
Explanation: Throughout the book, Bobby learns the value of being truthful even when it's not the easiest path. His struggles with honesty lead to important revelations and growth.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand that honesty is crucial in building trust and maintaining healthy relationships with friends and family.
Example Lesson: Understanding Emotions
Explanation: Bobby navigates through a range of emotions, providing a platform for readers to learn about emotional intelligence.
Real-World Application: Children can become more aware of their emotions and the emotions of others, learning to express and manage feelings in a healthy way.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Compassion
Explanation: As Bobby interacts with different characters, he learns to understand situations from others' perspectives, fostering empathy.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to be considerate and understand people's feelings and viewpoints, promoting kindness in their everyday interactions.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Bobby faces various problems throughout the story, and he must think critically and creatively to resolve them.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to use critical thinking and creativity to solve problems, whether at school or in social settings.