But Who Will Bell the Cats?
What’s inside...
Mouse and his friend Brown Bat are determined to escape the basement of the castle where they live in order to join the fun in the banquet hall. However, the princess's spoiled cats block their every effort. Through ingenuity, teamwork, and cunning, Mouse and Bat strive to figure out a way to bell the cats, a task inspired by Aesop's age-old question. The story, set in an enchanted upstairs/downstairs world, highlights the rewards of determination, bravery, and creativity, and emphasizes the power of kindness.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the mice wanted to bell the cats? How do you think they felt?
How did Mouse and Bella work together to solve their problem? What does this tell us about teamwork?
Can you think of a time when you had to solve a problem with others? What did you do?
Why do you think the author chose cats and mice as characters?
What would you do if you were one of the mice in the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the characters' dilemmas, promoting empathy and understanding.
Discuss the importance of teamwork as showcased in the book, asking your child to recall moments they had to collaborate to achieve a goal.
Relate the story's problem-solving aspects to real-life situations your child might encounter, enhancing their critical thinking.
Ask your child to imagine alternative endings or solutions to the story, fostering creativity and perspective-taking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: The characters in 'But Who Will Bell the Cats?' work through various inventive plans to try and bell the cats, showcasing creative problem-solving.
Real-World Application: Children will learn to think critically and resolve their own challenges in and out of the classroom.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and cooperation
Explanation: The mouse and his friends must cooperate and work together to fulfill their goal, emphasizing the importance of teamwork.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to collaborate effectively with others in group settings like school projects or sports.
Example Lesson: Persistence pays off
Explanation: Despite facing many failures, the characters continue trying different solutions, teaching the value of persistence.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of not giving up easily in the face of difficulties, whether in completing a difficult task or learning a new skill.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding different perspectives
Explanation: Through their interactions, the characters learn about the needs and fears of others, promoting empathy.
Real-World Application: This story can help children understand and consider the feelings of others, aiding in social interactions and building friendships.
Example Lesson: Creativity and innovation
Explanation: The inventive ways the mouse and friends try to solve their problem showcase the power of creative thinking.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to use their imagination and think outside the box to come up with unique solutions to problems.