Brick-a-Breck
on Goodreads (6)
What’s inside...
Stephen Rice loves breakfast cereal, so he's devastated when his mum loses her job at the cereal factory and his endless supply runs out. The only way to satisfy his craving is to dine at his friends' houses. And there, one day, he sees the chance of a lifetime, a competition to design a cereal. Can he win?
Age
3-7
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What was your favorite part of the adventure in 'Brick-a-Breck' and why?
How would you solve a problem like the characters did in the story?
What do you think about the way the characters worked together?
How did the story make you feel when the characters faced challenges?
If you were in the story, what would you have done differently?
Tip: Role play these questions
Listen actively to your child’s responses, showing interest and encouraging them to think deeper about the story.
Highlight the importance of teamwork as depicted in the book, drawing parallels to real-life situations where working together is beneficial.
Ask your child to describe the characters, encouraging them to express their thoughts on each character's traits and decisions.
Use real-world examples to connect the challenges in the story to similar obstacles they might face, fostering problem-solving skills.
Encourage your child to draw or create a small project based on the story, helping solidify their understanding and appreciation of the themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and cooperation
Explanation: In 'Brick-a-Breck', a group of animals work together to build a home by stacking bricks. Each animal plays a specific role, emphasizing the message that teamwork is essential to accomplish a task.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of working together with others to achieve common goals, whether it's during group projects at school or while playing team sports.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: Throughout 'Brick-a-Breck', the characters encounter various challenges, such as figuring out how to reach higher layers of the construction. They have to think creatively and logically to solve these problems.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to approach their own obstacles with patience and innovative thinking, essential skills for academic and personal success.
Example Lesson: Resilience and perseverance
Explanation: When the structure in the story collapses, the characters don't give up. Instead, they assess their mistakes and try again, showing resilience.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of persistence in the face of setbacks, whether dealing with school assignments or personal challenges.
Example Lesson: Respect for diversity
Explanation: The animals in 'Brick-a-Breck' are different species that bring unique skills to the project, demonstrating that diversity contributes to better outcomes.
Real-World Application: This lesson highlights the importance of respecting and valuing diverse perspectives and abilities in classmates and community members.