Daisy's Big Dig
What’s inside...
How one little girl gathers together all the different people and families in her street, to help one old man dig his garden - and how the resulting Digging Party has far-reaching results for the community. No one really knows each other in Daisy's street. But when Mr Hofmeister falls ill, she is determined to help him out and get the neighbours involved. Invitations go out, hinting at buried treasure, and one special day the two Daves, the Lemming family, Mrs Benjamin and Professor Flowerdew all come together to dig the old man's garden and look for the treasure. And do they find treasure? Well yes, but not quite what anyone expected!
Discussion points
How do you think Daisy felt when she was planning the big dig? Can you think of a time you worked together with your friends on a project?
What obstacles did Daisy and her friends face and how did they overcome them?
Why do you think helping others and working together as a community is important?
If you were part of Daisy’s team, what would you have done to help?
How do you think the garden changed the way the neighborhood looked and felt?
Tip: Role play these questions
To foster a deeper connection with the book's themes, encourage your child to share personal experiences related to teamwork and community. Ask open-ended questions that prompt your child to think critically and relate the story to the world around them. Validate their feelings and thoughts to build empathy and understanding. Invite them to imagine alternate endings or additional challenges for Daisy and her friends, nurturing creativity and problem-solving skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Community Engagement
Explanation: In 'Daisy's Big Dig', Daisy works together with her neighbors to transform a neglected area into a vibrant community garden.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of participating in community projects and see how their efforts can improve their immediate environment.
Example Lesson: Cooperation and Teamwork
Explanation: The book showcases different characters coming together with diverse skills to achieve a common goal, emphasizing the importance of teamwork.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the importance of working collaboratively, whether in school projects or during playtime with friends.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Daisy and her neighbors face various challenges throughout the book but find creative solutions to overcome them, demonstrating effective problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: Children learn to think critically and creatively to solve problems they encounter in daily life, from figuring out how to share toys to completing school assignments.
Example Lesson: Persistence and Resilience
Explanation: Despite initial setbacks, Daisy remains dedicated to her goal, teaching children the importance of resilience.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to persevere in the face of challenges, be it learning a new skill or dealing with personal setbacks.
Example Lesson: Caring for the Environment
Explanation: Through the creation of a community garden, 'Daisy's Big Dig' highlights the importance of green spaces and caring for the environment.
Real-World Application: Children are inspired to engage in environmental conservation activities such as recycling, planting trees, or participating in local clean-up days.