Caterpillar Catastrophe
Butterfly Buddies Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
Follow the adventures of Chris the caterpillar as he navigates through life in his lush garden, overcoming obstacles and eventually transforming into a beautiful butterfly, while learning important lessons. Meanwhile, Leroy and his grandad aim to win the Glenford Gardening Competition, but a mishap with Grow Magic may jeopardize their chances and cause unexpected effects on the garden and its inhabitants.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-8
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the caterpillar felt when things started going wrong?
How did the caterpillar try to solve its problems? Would you have done something differently?
Why do you think teamwork was important in the story?
What does the story teach us about handling unexpected challenges?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the caterpillar's journey, highlighting moments of empathy.
Discuss the importance of resilience and ask your child about a time they had to overcome an obstacle.
Use the story as a springboard to talk about the power of teamwork, asking your child about times they worked together with others to solve a problem.
After reading, pose hypothetical 'what if' scenarios related to the book’s themes to help your child think critically and creatively.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of challenges
Explanation: The main character, a young caterpillar, faces various obstacles but continues to persevere and adapt, showcasing resilience.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to keep trying and stay positive even when they encounter difficulties in school or with friends.
Example Lesson: Creativity and problem solving
Explanation: Throughout 'Caterpillar Catastrophe', the caterpillar uses creative thinking to navigate through its troubles, emphasizing the importance of innovative solutions.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to think outside the box to solve their own problems, whether it’s in their school projects or personal life.
Example Lesson: Understanding natural processes
Explanation: As the caterpillar undergoes transformation into a butterfly, the book educates about the life cycle of butterflies, blending storytelling with biological facts.
Real-World Application: This can help children appreciate and understand nature and science, fostering a curiosity about the world around them.
Example Lesson: Empathy and helping others
Explanation: The protagonist encounters other insects and creatures who help him along the way, which highlights the theme of helping and receiving help.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of cooperation and empathy by helping their peers and family in daily life.