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Conrad: The Factory-Made Boy

The New windmill series

illustrations by
3.94
on Goodreads (1,788)

What’s inside...

Mrs. Bartolotti receives a factory-made child named Conrad, who is perfect in every way and never makes mistakes. The factory realizes their mistake and attempts to reclaim Conrad, but he resists, preferring to stay with Mrs. Bartolotti. One of a series of top-quality fiction for schools, this zany story tells how a factory-made boy is delivered to an unsuspecting Mrs Bartolotti in a large tin can. The perfect child and far-from-conventional mother discover a lot about growing up, and how children and adults are supposed to behave.
Series reading

Non-Sequential

Age

9-12

Length

128 pages

Text complexity

Character compass

Conrad
Kitty
Mr. Egon Farnheim
Berti Bartolotti

Discussion points

How do you think Conrad felt being different from other children? Would you feel the same?
What do you think are the pros and cons of being perfect like Conrad?
Why is it important to accept people for who they are, even if they are different from us?
If you could create a perfect friend, what qualities would they have? Why?
How do you think the story would change if Conrad was just like any other boy?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the characters and their actions, relating it to their own experiences with friends or at school.
Use the story's events to discuss the importance of inclusion and diversity, emphasizing how differences make everyone unique.
Prompt your child to think about what 'perfect' means to them, discussing how personal and subjective the concept of perfection can be.
After reading, ask your child to draw their version of a 'perfect' friend and describe why they chose those particular qualities.
Discuss the book’s ending and explore different ways the story could have concluded, encouraging creative and critical thinking.

Key lessons

Example Lesson: Embracing Uniqueness
Explanation: The story of Conrad, a boy who was factory-made rather than born, teaches children to appreciate the uniqueness in themselves and others. Conrad's differences are celebrated, rather than criticized.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and celebrate differences in their peers, understanding that everyone has something unique to offer.
Example Lesson: Importance of Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: Conrad’s adventures showcase the power of imagination and creative problem-solving. When faced with challenges, Conrad uses his unique abilities creatively to navigate his world.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to use their creativity to solve problems and to see imaginative play as a valuable way to learn and grow.
Example Lesson: Understanding and Empathy
Explanation: Throughout the book, other characters learn to understand and empathize with Conrad's unique situation. This mutual understanding leads to stronger relationships and harmonious interactions.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of empathy, teaching them to be considerate and understand perspectives different from their own, fostering better social interactions.
Example Lesson: Value of Friendship
Explanation: The friendships Conrad forms are central to the narrative. These relationships provide support and acceptance, highlighting the significance of having good friends.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of building and maintaining friendships, and how valuable a supportive social network can be.
Example Lesson: Courage to Face Challenges
Explanation: Conrad shows bravery and resilience in the face of odd and challenging situations, teaching children that it’s alright to face fears and overcome obstacles.
Real-World Application: Children learn that facing challenges head-on is a part of life and that courage and resilience are crucial qualities for overcoming these obstacles.