Captain Whiskers
Nellie Choc-Ice Series
What’s inside...
In 'Captain Whishkers', readers follow the comedic adventures of a mischievous cat who believes he's a pirate, Captain Whiskers, who disrupts the Goodwin family's home with treasure hunts and swashbuckling antics. In another story, Jack, who lacks a pet, encounters The Man With The Top Hat and his cat Mrs Wilson, leading to Jack acquiring more cats than he bargained for. Both stories by Jeremy Strong offer humor, whimsical characters, and lessons on friendship, teamwork, and imagination.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-7
Length
96 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Captain Whiskers dreams about when he's sailing the seas?
How do you think Captain Whiskers felt when he found the treasure? Why?
If you were part of Captain Whiskers' crew, what role would you choose and why?
What lesson did Captain Whiskers learn by the end of the story?
How would you help Captain Whiskers solve a problem if you were in the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive tones and voices to bring the characters to life and keep your child engaged.
Pause after key events in the story to ask your child how they think a character is feeling or what they might do next.
Relate the story's themes or characters' experiences to your child’s own life to deepen their understanding.
Encourage your child to draw a scene from the book, aiding their recall and interpretation of the story.
Discuss the moral of the story and encourage your child to reflect on what they might have done in a similar situation.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Cooperation
Explanation: Captain Whiskers and his crew of adventurous cats learn to work together to navigate their ship and overcome obstacles at sea.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of cooperating with others to achieve common goals, which can be applied in team sports, group projects at school, or family activities.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Throughout their journey, Captain Whiskers and his team face various challenges, which they solve with creative thinking and teamwork.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to think critically and creatively when faced with problems, enhancing their cognitive flexibility and resilience.
Example Lesson: Courage and Adventure
Explanation: Captain Whiskers embarks on thrilling adventures, demonstrating bravery in facing unknown challenges.
Real-World Application: Inspires children to embrace new experiences and face their fears, whether it's trying out a new activity or standing up for what they believe in.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: As the captain, Whiskers shows responsibility for his crew’s safety and well-being, making tough decisions for the greater good.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of being responsible and considerate of others' needs, which can be applied in their roles within their family and classroom.
Example Lesson: The Joy of Reading
Explanation: The story conveys how engaging and fun reading can be through the imaginative and captivating escapades of Captain Whiskers.
Real-World Application: Motivates children to read more and discover the pleasure and adventure that books can offer.