Carnivores
What’s inside...
The lion is king of the jungle! The great white shark is sovereign of the seas! The timber wolf is emperor of the forests! However, being at the top of the food chain can be lonely and challenging, especially when plant eaters hold grudges for past incidents. Aaron Reynolds's humorous text and Dan Santat's vibrant illustrations come together in this engaging picture book that highlights the struggles of carnivores in a unique and entertaining way.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
36 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the carnivores in the book feel when others misunderstand them?
Why is it important for the carnivores to try and change their image?
What are some ways the characters in the book help each other feel better?
How would you help a friend who is feeling misunderstood?
Can you think of a time when you felt misunderstood? How did you handle it?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by discussing each character's unique personality and challenges. This helps the child connect personally with the story.
Encourage empathy by asking your child how they would feel in a similar situation as the characters in the book.
Highlight the importance of understanding and accepting differences, aligning it with everyday situations your child might encounter.
Use the book's humor as a tool to keep the discussion light-hearted but meaningful.
Reinforce the book's lessons by relating them to real-life scenarios, encouraging your child to apply what they've learned.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: In 'Carnivores', the main characters, who are typically viewed as fierce predators, share their feelings and challenges. This helps children see the world from others' perspectives.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by recognizing and respecting the feelings and difficulties of others around them, fostering a more empathetic and cooperative environment.
Example Lesson: Self-Acceptance
Explanation: The carnivorous characters in the book learn to accept themselves despite their nature and the opinions of others. This theme encourages self-acceptance.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to embrace their unique qualities and traits confidently, understanding that everyone has aspects of themselves that are different.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving
Explanation: The characters brainstorm and try different solutions to avoid scaring the other animals, showcasing problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think creatively and persistently to solve conflicts or issues they face in their own lives.
Example Lesson: Importance of Friendship
Explanation: Despite their differences, the characters in 'Carnivores' support each other. This highlights the value of friendship.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to build and maintain supportive friendships, learning to be there for others even in challenging times.
Example Lesson: Humor as a Coping Mechanism
Explanation: The book uses humor to deal with complex issues like identity and acceptance, teaching children a light-hearted approach to serious topics.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to use humor to cope with personal challenges and to diffuse tense situations, making it easier to deal with stress and anxiety.