Dixie O'Day and the Great Diamond Robbery
#2 of 5 in Digby O'Day Series
on Goodreads (131)
What’s inside...
Dixie O'Day and his best friend Percy are on holiday and find themselves embroiled in a thrilling adventure when Peaches Miaow's priceless diamond necklace is stolen from the Hotel Splendide. As they track down the sinister figures behind the crime, readers are taken on a journey filled with glamourpusses, cat burglars, and seaside fun. This gorgeous chapter book, created by the dynamic mother-daughter team of author Shirley Hughes and illustrator Clara Vulliamy, offers a chapter for each night of the week and plenty of exciting extra material.
Discussion points
What do you think Dixie O'Day could have done differently at any point in the story?
How did Dixie and Percy show teamwork during their adventure?
What would you do if you found a diamond? How would you handle such a big responsibility?
How do you think the characters felt during the diamond robbery? Can you relate to any of their feelings?
What is the most important lesson you learned from the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Highlight the value of friendship and teamwork as depicted by Dixie and Percy. Discuss with your child how working together can help solve problems.
Encourage your child to think critically about the decisions characters made and explore alternative choices and outcomes.
Relate the themes of the story to your child’s experiences, asking them if they have ever faced a similar situation like finding something valuable or solving a difficult problem with friends.
Build empathy by discussing the emotions of the characters during intense moments, and ask how your child might feel in similar circumstances.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and cooperation
Explanation: In the story, Dixie O'Day and his friend Percy work together to solve the mystery of the diamond robbery, demonstrating how collaboration can lead to success.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of working together with others to achieve common goals, which can be applied in school projects or team sports.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: The protagonists face several challenges throughout the book and must come up with creative solutions to retrieve the stolen diamonds.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to think critically and develop solutions to obstacles they encounter in their daily life, such as resolving conflicts with peers or tackling difficult homework.
Example Lesson: Honesty and integrity
Explanation: Dixie O'Day and Percy demonstrate honesty as they go about solving the crime, making sure not to wrongfully accuse anyone and to find the true culprit.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of being truthful and fair in their interactions, which is crucial in building trust and maintaining healthy relationships.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Despite numerous setbacks, Dixie and Percy persist in their quest to find the diamonds, showing resilience and determination.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to keep trying and not give up when faced with difficult tasks or when first attempts do not succeed, especially in learning new skills or improving in academics.
Example Lesson: Observation and attention to detail
Explanation: The story highlights the importance of paying close attention to details which helps Dixie and Percy solve the crime.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of being observant and attentive, skills that can help them in educational settings and in everyday life to notice and appreciate the smaller details.