Finley's Perfect Pet: Independent Reading Purple 8
Independent Reading Gold Series
What’s inside...
In 'Finley's Perfect Pet: Independent Reading Purple 8,' Damian Harvey tells the delightful story of young Finley, who is on a quest to find the perfect pet. Through his journey, readers learn about responsibility, caring and the value of making thoughtful decisions. A perfect pick for developing independence and critical thinking in young readers, this book not only entertains but educates, making it a worthwhile addition to any child's library. This story is part of Reading Champion, a series carefully linked to book bands to encourage independent reading skills, developed with Dr Sue Bodman and Glen Franklin of UCL Institute of Education (IOE). Finley promises his parents he'll take good care of a pet, so they decide it's time to welcome one into their home. You won't believe how many things can go wrong with pets until you read this funny tale of squawking and slithering! Reading Champion offers independent reading books for children to practise and reinforce their developing reading skills. Fantastic, original stories are accompanied by engaging artwork and a reading activity. Each book has been carefully graded so that it can be matched to a child's reading ability, encouraging reading for pleasure.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-8
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What qualities do you think make a perfect pet, and why?
How did Finley decide on which pet to choose? What steps did he take?
Can you relate to how Finley felt when making a decision? Have you ever felt the same way?
What did you learn about responsibility from Finley’s story?
If you were in the story, what advice would you give to Finley?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their opinions and feelings about the story to enhance emotional connection.
Relate the decision-making process in the book to a decision your child made, fostering a personal connection to the story.
Discuss the responsibilities involved in caring for a pet, linking the story to real-life situations.
Ask your child to imagine alternative endings or different choices Finley could have made and discuss those scenarios.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The story illustrates the responsibility associated with caring for a pet, as the protagonist learns about the needs and proper care of their new pet.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by taking on age-appropriate tasks within the home, such as caring for a family pet or maintaining their own space.
Example Lesson: Decision Making
Explanation: The book highlights the process of making informed choices through the character's journey of selecting a pet that best fits their lifestyle.
Real-World Application: Kids can utilize decision-making skills when faced with choices in school projects or personal interests, learning to weigh options and consequences.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Throughout the book, the character learns to understand and consider the feelings and well-being of their pet, fostering a sense of empathy.
Real-World Application: Children can practice empathy by recognizing and respecting the feelings and needs of others, whether it’s friends, family members, or animals.