Chicken And Cat
What’s inside...
When Cat feels sad about living in the hustle and bustle of the city, Chicken finds colorful ways to make Cat feel better. Friendship has never been sweeter with this charming picture book by emerging artist Sara Varon. Cat comes to the big city to stay with best friend, Chicken. The city is exciting but after a while Cat pines for the country with its trees and bright colors. Despite Chicken's efforts in taking Cat on fun adventures, Cat remains blue. When Cat gets the idea to plant a garden in an empty lot, the city blooms, and so does Chicken and Cat's friendship. With perfect doses of charm and simplicity, Sara Varon captures the intricacies and sweetness of friendship.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Chicken felt when Cat came to live with them?
What are some ways Chicken tried to help Cat feel more at home?
Can you think of a time when you had to help someone new? What did you do?
Why do you think it's important to be kind and helpful to new friends?
How did Chicken and Cat solve their problems together?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to reflect on their own experiences with friends, comparing their actions to those of Chicken and Cat.
Highlight the importance of empathy by discussing how Chicken and Cat might have felt in different situations throughout the book.
Ask your child to imagine and discuss alternative solutions to the challenges faced by Chicken and Cat.
Use a warm and curious tone to foster an open and engaging discussion, making your child comfortable to express their thoughts and feelings.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship and support
Explanation: Chicken and Cat showcases the ups and downs of friendship as the characters navigate challenges and support each other.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be supportive friends in their own relationships, understanding the value of helping and standing by each other during difficulties.
Example Lesson: Adapting to new environments
Explanation: As Cat moves to the city and faces various unfamiliar situations, the story illustrates how adaptation is crucial.
Real-World Application: This lesson can teach children to be resilient and flexible when they encounter new environments such as a new school or community.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: Throughout the book, Chicken and Cat encounter several problems that they need to solve together, emphasizing teamwork and critical thinking.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to use creative thinking and collaboration to solve problems they face in everyday life.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Chicken steps in to help Cat understand the city and find comfort in a new place, highlighting the themes of empathy and understanding between friends.
Real-World Application: Teaches children to be empathetic towards others' feelings and situations, promoting emotional intelligence and stronger interpersonal relationships.
Example Lesson: Celebrating differences
Explanation: The story brings together two characters with different backgrounds and shows how they enrich each other’s lives, celebrating their differences.
Real-World Application: Helps children appreciate and embrace diverse perspectives and backgrounds in their classmates and community members.