Clarice Bean My Uncle is a Hunkle Says Clarice Bean
#2 of 9 in Clarice Bean Series
on Goodreads (230)
What’s inside...
The book revolves around the life of Clarice Bean, a young girl with a vivid imagination and a knack for finding humor in everyday situations. When her parents go away and leave her with her eccentric Uncle, she finds herself in a series of hilarious and heartwarming adventures. Clarice Bean's mum and dad are going away on Important Business, so Uncle Ted comes to stay. Everything goes really well at first, but before long there's a guinea pig on the loose, Granddad's gone missing, and Clarice's little brother is stuck in the railings like a giant squeaking tomato. Luckily Uncle Ted's around. He'll come to the rescue...won't he? A hilarious look at family life starring the inimitable Clarice Bean.
Discussion points
What do you think makes Clarice Bean's uncle different from other adults she knows?
How do you think Clarice Bean feels when her uncle comes to take care of her? Can you relate to her emotions?
What are some of the funny situations Clarice Bean and her uncle get into? Which one did you find the most amusing and why?
If you could plan a fun day with your uncle or aunt, what activities would you include? Why?
How does having her uncle around change Clarice Bean’s days? What does this tell us about the importance of family?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to bring characters like Clarice Bean and her uncle to life, making the story more engaging and fun for your child.
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the story’s events, relating them to their own experiences with family members.
Discuss the actions of Clarice Bean’s uncle and explore what qualities make someone a good caregiver or companion.
After reading, engage in role-play activities where you and your child can pretend to be Clarice Bean and her uncle on one of their adventures.
Ask your child to imagine and draw a picture of their perfect day with a relative, using elements from the book for inspiration.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Family
Explanation: The story shows how Clarice Bean's uncle steps in to take care of her and her siblings when her parents are unavailable, demonstrating the importance of family support.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate the presence and support of different family members, not just their parents, and understand the value of family bonds in their daily lives.
Example Lesson: Adaptability
Explanation: Clarice Bean and her siblings must adjust to their uncle’s unconventional childcare methods, illustrating the importance of adaptability.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be flexible and adapt to different situations or changes in routine, a skill that can help them navigate various challenges in life.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Fun in Everyday Life
Explanation: Uncle Ted's imaginative ways of handling tasks and making everyday activities fun showcase the value of creativity.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to use their imagination and creativity to transform mundane tasks into enjoyable experiences, fostering a positive and creative outlook.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Through the character of Uncle Ted, the book highlights how taking care of others is a significant responsibility.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of responsibility and caring for others, preparing them to take on duties in their personal lives and in interactions with others.
Example Lesson: Coping with Change
Explanation: Clarice Bean learns to cope with the temporary change in caregiver from her parents to her uncle, showing resilience.
Real-World Application: Helps children understand that change is a part of life and teaching them ways to cope with it positively, enhancing their emotional resilience.