Busy Betty
What’s inside...
From Academy Award-winning actress, founder, and bestselling author, Reese Witherspoon, comes Busy Betty, a story about a creative, curious, and exuberant young girl who has big plans and an even bigger heart. Busy Betty has always been busy, even as a baby. When she realizes her dog Frank needs a bath before her friend Mae comes over, Betty faces challenges but learns that with perseverance, teamwork, and a great idea, she can accomplish anything. Reese Witherspoon presents a smart and larger-than-life character, encouraging young readers to celebrate their uniqueness and believe in the possibilities.
Age
2-7
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Busy Betty
Frank
Mae
Discussion points
What do you think makes Betty so busy? Can you think of a time when you felt the same way?
How does Betty solve her problems in the story? What would you do if you were in her place?
Betty meets many friends along the way. Who was your favorite character besides Betty and why?
How did the story make you feel when Betty succeeded in her tasks?
What is one thing you learned from 'Busy Betty' that you would like to try yourself?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the story to their own experiences by asking about times they have felt or acted like Betty.
Discuss the problem-solving techniques demonstrated in the book and relate them to real-life scenarios your child might encounter.
Facilitate empathy by exploring the feelings of various characters and asking your child how they might feel in similar situations.
Praise your child's insights and relate them back to key lessons from 'Busy Betty' to reinforce the educational value of the story.
Use the themes in the book to plan an activity that mirrors Betty’s adventures, enhancing the connection with the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Responsibility
Explanation: Busy Betty showcases the protagonist taking charge of various tasks and successfully managing them, demonstrating the value of responsibility.
Real-World Application: Children can practice taking responsibility by completing their own tasks such as cleaning their room or doing homework on time.
Example Lesson: Value of Creativity
Explanation: The book illustrates how Betty resolves challenges through creative solutions, underlining the significance of creativity in problem-solving.
Real-World Application: Kids can be encouraged to use their imagination to come up with unique solutions to daily obstacles, such as turning cleanup time into a fun game.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Betty often collaborates with friends to achieve goals, highlighting the importance of working together.
Real-World Application: Children learn to cooperate with others in group activities at school or in sports, understanding that teamwork can lead to achieving great results.
Example Lesson: Persistence
Explanation: Despite setbacks, Betty remains determined and keeps trying, teaching kids the lesson of persistence.
Real-World Application: When faced with challenges, children can remember Betty’s determination and continue to try, whether it's in learning a new skill or completing a difficult task.