What’s inside...
Every year, for the past 13 years, Peter and Susan have gone to Lea-on-Sea for their holidays and stayed at the Hotel Vista. However, this year, things start to go wrong as a strange man pretends to be Peter. Who is he? What does he want? And is he friendly or dangerous? 'Penguin Readers' is a series of simplified novels, film novelizations and original titles that introduce students at all levels to the pleasures of reading in English. Originally designed for teaching English as a foreign language, the series' combination of high interest level and low reading age makes it suitable for both English-speaking teenagers with limited reading skills and students of English as a second language. Many titles in the series also provide access to the pre-20th century literature strands of the National Curriculum English Orders. 'Penguin Readers' are graded at seven levels of difficulty, from 'Easystarts' with a 200-word vocabulary, to Level 6 (Advanced) with a 3000-word vocabulary. In addition, titles fall into one of three sub-categories: 'Contemporary', 'Classics' or 'Originals'. At the end of each book there is a section of enjoyable exercises focusing on vocabulary building, comprehension, discussion and writing. Some titles in the series are available with an accompanying audio cassette, or in a book and cassette pack. Additionally, selected titles have free accompanying 'Penguin Readers Factsheets' which provide stimulating exercise material for students, as well as suggestions for teachers on how to exploit the Readers in class.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the character in the story felt happy when he made a new friend?
How would you feel if you were in a similar situation as the main character?
What did the main character learn by the end of the story?
Can you think of a time when you felt the same way as the character in the book?
What would you do differently if you were the main character in the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to convey the emotions of the characters, making the story come alive for your child.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next in the story to keep them engaged and thinking critically.
Relate the story's themes to your child’s personal experiences to make the discussion more relevant and meaningful.
Encourage your child to draw or act out their favorite part of the story, fostering a deeper connection with the book’s themes.
Praise your child for their thoughts and responses to foster a positive and encouraging reading environment.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Diversity
Explanation: In 'Brown Eyes', the protagonist learns to appreciate the unique characteristics of his diverse group of friends, including their different eye colors.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by learning to appreciate and celebrate differences in their peers, fostering an inclusive environment at school and in playgroups.
Example Lesson: Importance of Self-Acceptance
Explanation: The story highlights the protagonist's journey towards accepting his own brown eyes after admiring eyes of other colors.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to value their own unique traits and builds self-esteem, crucial for their personal development and social interactions.
Example Lesson: Understanding and Empathy
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters express how they feel about their physical features, which helps the protagonist understand various perspectives.
Real-World Application: Children learn to listen and empathize with others' feelings and viewpoints, enhancing their emotional intelligence and relationships.
Example Lesson: Celebrating Individuality
Explanation: Each character in the book is portrayed with unique features and personalities, celebrating individuality.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to take pride in what makes them unique and to recognize the value in others' uniqueness as well.