Dustbin Charlie Cleans Up (Young Puffin Read Alone)
A Young Puffin Read Alone Series
What’s inside...
Living on a farm, Charlie doesn't see many dustmen, so when he goes to visit his grandparents in town he is fascinated to see what people have thrown away. When the builders get a huge skip for their rubbish, he spots the toy of his dreams. But the following morning it has gone. Charlie loves staying with his grandparents in the town. But who is the mysterious Mildred that his grandad wants to introduce him to? Mildred turns out to be a fabulous antique car, bought to replace Minnie Tar, his grandad's unreliable, but much loved little red car.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-8
Length
96 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Charlie felt when he decided to clean up the park?
What changes did you notice in the park and the animals after Charlie cleaned it up?
Why do you think it's important to keep our surroundings clean?
What are some ways we can help clean our neighborhood like Charlie did?
How do you think the story would have changed if no one decided to help Charlie?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the story to their personal experiences by asking about times they've helped clean or maintain their own space.
Use the story to highlight the importance of community and teamwork by discussing how everyone can contribute to keeping their environment clean.
Reinforce the message of the book by planning a small cleanup activity with your child, such as picking up litter in a local park or around your home.
Discuss the feelings of the characters, particularly focusing on emotions and reactions before and after the cleanup to help your child understand the impact of their actions on others.
Praise your child for thoughtful answers and ideas about keeping their environment clean, instilling a sense of pride and responsibility towards their community.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Charlie, the main character, takes initiative to clean up his neighborhood, demonstrating the importance of taking responsibility for one's environment.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by taking part in household chores or community clean-up events, learning the value of keeping their surroundings tidy.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the story, Charlie collaborates with others to achieve a common goal, emphasizing the power of working together.
Real-World Application: Kids can practice teamwork by participating in group activities at school or in sports, understanding that cooperation can lead to accomplishing great things.
Example Lesson: Respect for the environment
Explanation: Charlie's efforts to clean up highlight the significance of respecting and caring for the environment.
Real-World Application: This lesson can teach children to be mindful of how they dispose of waste and the importance of recycling and conserving nature.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving
Explanation: Charlie faces challenges in his mission to clean up the neighborhood but finds creative solutions to overcome them.
Real-World Application: Children learn to think critically and develop problem-solving skills which they can use in their daily life to navigate obstacles.
Example Lesson: Persistence
Explanation: Charlie's determination to clean up the neighborhood despite various hurdles showcases the importance of persistence.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of perseverance in achieving goals, whether in their academic pursuits or personal projects.