Down The Drain
#16 of 31 in Diary of a Minecraft Zombie Series
on Goodreads (10)
What’s inside...
Zombie's village has undergone strange transformations where all houses suddenly have mushroom tops and mysterious green pipes have emerged on every street. In the midst of these odd changes, two peculiar plumbers are searching for a lost princess. Zombie and his friends embark on a daring adventure 'Down the Drain' to assist these brothers in rescuing their princess from their most terrifying villain yet. This thrilling Minecraft adventure is a must-read for any child who is a fan of Minecraft and loves exciting stories.
Character compass
Zombie
Steve
Discussion points
What do you think happened to the things that went down the drain? Can you imagine where they might have ended up?
Why do you think it's important not to throw certain things down the drain? What can we do instead?
How do you think the characters felt when they saw their things disappearing down the drain? Have you ever felt the same way?
If you were to help the characters, what ideas would you suggest to keep their things safe?
What did you learn from this story that you can apply in our home or school?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to enhance the adventurous tone of the book, changing your voice for different characters and actions.
Encourage your child to predict what might happen next or suggest alternative endings, fostering creative thinking.
Connect the story's themes to real-life situations at home, like explaining the importance of being cautious of what goes down your own drain.
After reading, involve your child in a related hands-on activity, like checking household items to see what should and shouldn't go down the drain.
Revisit the book after a few days to discuss any new thoughts or insights your child might have, reinforcing the lessons learned.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: In 'Down The Drain', the main character learns the importance of taking responsibility for their actions after causing a mess.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by owning up to their mistakes and learning to clean up after themselves both at home and in school.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The story highlights how working together can solve problems quicker and more efficiently, as the characters collaborate to fix the issue.
Real-World Application: Kids can practice teamwork by participating in group activities or projects, understanding that cooperation is key to success.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: Through inventive methods, the characters address and resolve the central conflict, demonstrating critical thinking.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think creatively when faced with challenges and to view problems as opportunities for learning.
Example Lesson: Environmental awareness
Explanation: The narrative incorporates themes of water conservation and the impacts of waste, educating about environmental stewardship.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be more conscious of their water usage and the importance of proper waste disposal to protect the environment.