Ellie Sparkle: Rewrite the Tradition
What’s inside...
Enjoy the holiday season with this enchanting Christmas tale. The wintery tale leads us to a magical friendship between one little girl and one of Santa's most trusted elves. 'Ellie Sparkle' is a charming holiday story which reminds readers of all ages about the power of a believing heart. 'A believing heart is the golden gateway to a world full of magic.' 'Magic is all around us, we just have to open our heart to see.' It all starts with a heartwarming wish that a little girl, Marielle-Elis, shares with an entire universe. Marielle wishes her friend from the North Pole, Ellie Sparkle, could come visit even though the Christmas season had not started yet. A tiny wish touches the heart of two worlds, and they couldn't be more different. As early Christmas winds use their magic and bring the unlikely friends together. 'No wish, no dream, remains unseen when the desire follows a pure heart.' Wrapped up in love, Marielle reads to Ellie her beloved Chris Kringle and sings a cheerful jingle before she softly kisses Ellie good night. All seems to be perfect until Marielle finds out about the thousand-year-old tradition which forbids the human child to be friends with the North Pole member, since they come from two different worlds. A journey from doubt to faith begins as one little girl and one tiny North Pole member decide to rewrite the old tradition and build a bridge between two worlds which used to be one.
Discussion points
What do you think makes Ellie Sparkle special compared to other characters in the book?
If you could rewrite a tradition like Ellie, which one would you choose and why?
How do you feel about the way Ellie handled challenges in the story?
What did you learn from Ellie's adventure?
Can you think of a time when you did something unexpected that turned out well?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child what they know about traditions and explain that sometimes traditions can change.
While reading, pause at key moments to explore your child’s thoughts and feelings about the events.
Encourage your child to relate the story to their own experiences by asking about times they've wanted to change something in their world.
Post-reading, use the book as a catalyst for a creative activity, like drawing a new tradition or writing a short story about changing old rules.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Change
Explanation: Ellie Sparkle challenges traditional roles and norms by rewriting a school play to be more inclusive and diverse. This demonstrates the value of questioning outdated traditions and embracing change.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be open to new ideas and to question stereotypes and norms in their daily interactions, fostering a more inclusive environment at school and in their community.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Innovation
Explanation: In the story, Ellie uses her creativity to adapt the classic play, showing that new ideas can revitalize old traditions. Her approach encourages thinking outside the box.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply creativity in solving problems or in expressing themselves through art, writing, or play, understanding that their unique perspectives add value.
Example Lesson: Collaboration and Leadership
Explanation: Ellie works together with her classmates to produce the play, exhibiting leadership and teamwork. This illustrates how collaboration can lead to successful outcomes.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to take on leadership roles in group projects and learn the importance of teamwork in accomplishing common goals.
Example Lesson: Respect for Diversity
Explanation: Ellie’s new version of the play includes characters of different backgrounds, teaching the importance of representation and respect for diversity.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to appreciate and respect people’s differences in their everyday lives, promoting empathy and social harmony.
Example Lesson: Confidence in Self-expression
Explanation: Ellie confidently proposes and implements her ideas for the play despite initial resistance, showcasing the importance of self-expression and conviction in one’s beliefs.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to speak up for their beliefs and express themselves confidently in various situations, whether in academics or personal interactions.