Dirty Dave the Bushranger
on Goodreads (9)
What’s inside...
Dirty Dave, his sister Sue, and their mother Maude are notorious bushrangers in Australia, known for their ruthless criminal activities. While they are busy holding up coaches and pedestrians, their father Dan stays at home, sewing. An encounter with a fashion-conscious group of victims leads to unexpected, humorous, and profitable results for the family. The inventive storyline and humorous illustrations make this book a standout.
Discussion points
What do you think motivated Dirty Dave to become a bushranger?
How do you feel about the choices Dirty Dave made in the story?
What do you think Dirty Dave could have done differently in his adventures?
How do you think the other characters felt about Dirty Dave's actions?
What would you have done if you were in Dirty Dave's place?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing your own thoughts on Dirty Dave’s character and actions, encouraging your child to express their opinions.
Ask your child to relate the story to their own experiences, such as times they faced difficult decisions.
Encourage your child to think about the consequences of actions, both in the book and in real life, fostering a deeper understanding of cause and effect.
Use expressive reading when discussing the book, changing your tone and volume to match the story's events to make the discussion more engaging.
Link the discussions to real-life historical events or figures similar to bushrangers to provide context and broaden your child’s learning horizon.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of making good choices
Explanation: Dirty Dave repeatedly finds himself in troublesome situations due to poor decisions, like stealing from travelers.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to think about the consequences of their actions and strive to make positive choices in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: The value of honesty
Explanation: Throughout the story, Dirty Dave's dishonest actions lead to negative outcomes, emphasizing that honesty is the best policy.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to be truthful in their dealings with others, which builds trust and strong relationships.
Example Lesson: Understanding right from wrong
Explanation: Dirty Dave's journey portrays a clear distinction between right and wrong, especially in his encounters with the law.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this understanding by evaluating their own actions and the actions of others, helping them to navigate moral decisions.
Example Lesson: The consequences of actions
Explanation: As Dirty Dave faces repercussions for his actions, the story conveys that all actions, good or bad, have consequences.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to consider potential outcomes before acting, fostering responsibility and foresight.
Example Lesson: Redemption and change are possible
Explanation: Despite his past, the story hints at the possibility of redemption for Dirty Dave, suggesting that people can change for the better.
Real-World Application: This lesson can inspire children to believe in personal growth and the ability to improve oneself through conscious effort and good choices.