Calvin Coconut: The Zippy Fix
#2 in Calvin Coconut Series
on Goodreads (125)
What’s inside...
Calvin Coconut needs to fix things with Stella—and fast! Stella from Texas is now officially a member of the Coconut household. As if getting a bossy babysitter isn’t bad enough for Calvin, Stella teases him mercilessly. What’s a nine-year-old boy to do? Calvin decides to “fix” her, and he dumps his neighbor’s cat Zippy on Stella’s bed, knowing she’s allergic. But when Stella breaks out in hives and misses her first big date, Calvin realizes his “zippy fix” went too far. He’s got to make it up to her, and decides to give her a birthday present. But he has no money. Along with the help of his loyal friends and little sister, Darci, Calvin works hard, and comes up with enough cash to give Stella the best birthday gift ever. Graham Salisbury’s voice perfectly captures the inner workings of Calvin’s mind, and Jacqueline Rogers’ delightful pictures add zest and humor to The Zippy Fix.
Character compass
Calvin Coconut
Calvin's Mom
Stella
Discussion points
How do you think Calvin felt when he was trying to fix his mistake? Have you ever felt the same way?
What do you think makes a good friend? How do Stella and Calvin demonstrate this in the story?
Why is it important to take responsibility for our actions, like Calvin did?
How do the different characters in the book react to problems? What can we learn from them?
If you were in Calvin’s shoes, would you have made the same choices? Why or why not?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the discussion by sharing a personal story where you faced a similar dilemma as Calvin. It helps children feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts.
Praise your child for thoughtful answers and insights during the discussion, reinforcing their engagement and critical thinking.
Allow your child to express their opinions freely, affirming that all perspectives are valuable.
Link the discussion to real-life scenarios, encouraging your child to apply the lessons from the book in day-to-day activities.
Ask follow-up questions based on your child's responses to encourage deeper thinking and connection to the book’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Calvin learns the importance of taking responsibility for his actions when he tries to fix a problem he caused, even though his initial attempts at solving the problem make it worse.
Real-World Application: Children can understand the value of owning up to their mistakes and making amends, which is an important aspect of personal development and social interactions.
Example Lesson: Creativity in problem-solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, Calvin employs creative methods to resolve the unexpected challenges he faces, demonstrating that thinking outside the box can often provide effective solutions.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think creatively when faced with obstacles, showing them that unconventional thinking can often lead to success.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: Calvin’s experiences illustrate that actions have consequences, whether good or bad, teaching children to consider the potential outcomes of their actions before proceeding.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children to anticipate and understand the impact of their actions on themselves and others, fostering a sense of foresight and empathy.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Calvin collaborates with his friends to try to solve his problem, showing that working together can often make tough tasks easier and more manageable.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of cooperation and how teamwork can be a powerful tool in achieving a common goal.