Dog Tales
illustrations by
What’s inside...
Peter lives on a tropical island and has a deep desire for a puppy as a birthday present. Initially disappointed by receiving sneakers from his mom, his wish eventually comes true when he gets a puppy with beautiful blue eyes. Peter bonds with his new canine companion, learns how to care for him, and takes him to the vet, gaining valuable knowledge about pet care. He is now well-equipped to look after his new best friend.
Age
5-12
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the dogs might be feeling in this story?
How do the dogs help each other? Can you think of a time you helped a friend?
Which dog's adventure did you like the most and why?
If you could talk to any of the dogs from the book, what would you ask them?
What could be the next adventure for the dogs? What would you like to see them do?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading: Vary your tone and pace to match the excitement or emotions of the story, making the reading session more lively and engaging.
Ask predictive questions: Before turning the page, ask your child to guess what might happen next. This builds anticipation and involvement in the storyline.
Relate to personal experiences: Encourage your child to draw parallels between events in the book and their own experiences, which enhances understanding and empathy.
Encourage imagination: After reading, ask your child to draw a picture of their favorite part or to imagine a different ending to the story, fostering creativity and deeper connection with the book’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Through the adventures of the dogs, children learn to understand and share the feelings of others.
Real-World Application: Children can use this understanding to build stronger relationships with their peers and show kindness in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The characters in the book take care of each other, demonstrating the importance of being responsible for others' wellbeing.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this by taking responsibility for their actions and looking after pets or helping around the house.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The dogs work together to solve problems, showing that teamwork can accomplish what individuals alone cannot.
Real-World Application: Children can practice teamwork in school projects or playing sports, learning that cooperation is key to success.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Despite the challenges they face, the characters stay positive and keep trying, teaching resilience.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to not give up easily in difficult situations, whether it's solving a tough math problem or learning a new skill.
Example Lesson: Friendship
Explanation: The strong bonds between the dogs highlight the value of friendship.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to foster and cherish friendships, helping them develop strong social skills.