Charlie Needs A Cloak
on Goodreads (1,286)
What’s inside...
Charlie Needs a Cloak is Tomie dePaola's unforgettable classic. In the book, readers follow a shepherd named Charlie as he shears his sheep, cards and spins the wool, weaves and dyes the cloth, and sews a beautiful new red cloak. The story is enhanced by Tomie dePaola's incomparable illustrations, which bring the process of making a cloak to life in vivid detail.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
28 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think Charlie needed a new cloak?
How do you think Charlie felt when he completed his new cloak?
What are some of the steps Charlie took to make his cloak?
Can you think of a project you started and finished like Charlie did with his cloak?
What colors would you choose if you were making a cloak like Charlie’s?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to describe each step Charlie took to make his cloak, fostering sequencing skills and comprehension.
Discuss the importance of patience and hard work in completing a project, relating it to tasks your child is familiar with.
Ask your child how they felt about the ending of the story and if they would change anything, promoting critical thinking and imagination.
Connect the story to hands-on activities, like drawing their own cloak designs or planning a simple craft project from start to finish.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of hard work and perseverance
Explanation: Charlie, the protagonist, diligently shears his sheep, washes the wool, cards it, spins, dyes, and weaves it into a new cloak, demonstrating dedication and persistence from start to finish.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of seeing tasks through to the end, whether it’s completing a homework assignment, a chore, or a personal project.
Example Lesson: The process of creating something from scratch
Explanation: The book takes the reader through each step of how Charlie makes his cloak, providing an educational insight into how raw materials are transformed into usable items.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to engage in DIY projects, understand the origins of their clothing, or appreciate the craftsmanship in everyday objects.
Example Lesson: Taking initiative to solve personal problems
Explanation: Charlie recognizes his need for a new cloak due to the worn-out state of his old one and takes it upon himself to create a replacement.
Real-World Application: This lesson highlights self-reliance and can encourage children to be proactive in addressing their needs, such as fixing a torn book cover or organizing their space.
Example Lesson: Patience as a virtue
Explanation: The lengthy process of creating the cloak, which spans over seasons, teaches about the importance of patience and waiting for the final outcome.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to have patience in natural processes, understanding that some things, like growth or learning a new skill, take time and cannot be rushed.