Charlie Bumpers vs. the Perfect Little Turkey
#4 of 7 in Charlie Bumpers Series
on Goodreads (65)
What’s inside...
Can Charlie Bumpers be a polite Thanksgiving host to the most annoying cousin in the universe? It's Thanksgiving in the Bumpers' household, and Charlie has to be the perfect host to his annoying little cousin, Chip. Chip makes everything hard for Charlie―gets him in trouble, ruins his things, and generally makes a nuisance of himself. On top of that, for homework, his fourth-grade teacher Mrs. Burke has assigned him the task of writing what a family means to him. Will Charlie be able to see past his 'turkey' of a cousin to understand the real meaning of family? Black and white illustrations throughout.
Discussion points
How do you think Charlie felt when things didn't go as planned, and how would you feel in his situation?
What are some ways Charlie could have handled his frustrations differently?
What does this story teach us about the importance of family during the holidays?
Why do you think teamwork was important in this book?
If you were a character in the book, who would you want to be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate personal experiences by asking if they've ever felt like Charlie and how they handled it.
Discuss the meaning of 'family' and 'teamwork', and ask your child to cite examples from the book and their own life.
Use the story as an opportunity to talk about adapting to unexpected changes and the importance of flexibility.
Engage in a conversation about the consequences of actions by discussing different characters' decisions in the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of family collaboration
Explanation: In the story, Charlie Bumpers learns the value of working together with his family to prepare a Thanksgiving meal, despite various mishaps and challenges.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to participate in family activities and understand that teamwork can lead to successful outcomes, even in challenging situations.
Example Lesson: Overcoming frustration
Explanation: Charlie faces several frustrating situations, from dealing with his perfect cousin to mishaps in the kitchen. He learns to manage his emotions and keep trying.
Real-World Application: This teaches children resilience and the importance of perseverance when facing difficult or annoying circumstances.
Example Lesson: Appreciating individual differences
Explanation: Charlie's interactions with his seemingly flawless cousin highlight the theme of accepting and valuing everyone's unique traits and contributions.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and embrace differences among peers and family members, fostering a more inclusive attitude.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: Throughout the book, mistakes are made by various characters, but they use these as learning opportunities which contribute to the success of their Thanksgiving.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand that mistakes are a natural part of learning and growth, and not something to be feared or avoided.