Five Sweet Strawberries: Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry Shortcake Series
on Goodreads (20)
What’s inside...
Join Strawberry Shortcake on a delightful berry-picking adventure in the book 'Five Sweet Strawberries'. As children turn the pages, glittery plastic strawberries seem to 'disappear', creating an engaging countdown. The story culminates in a final spread filled with beautiful glittery strawberries, emphasizing the message that there are always more strawberries to share with friends.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-6
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the strawberries in the story represent to Strawberry Shortcake and her friends?
How did the characters show kindness and teamwork in the story?
What would you do if you were one of the characters in the book?
What was your favorite part of the story, and why?
If you could add another fruit friend to the story, which fruit would it be and what would their name be?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the story by asking how they would interact with the characters and the situations presented. Use the discussion as an opportunity to talk about friendship, sharing, and emotions. Highlight the playful and colorful aspects of the book to make the conversation more lively and relatable. Additionally, you can ask them to draw or describe an additional fruit friend they would like to see in the story, fostering creativity and deeper connection with the theme.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Counting and Numbers
Explanation: In 'Five Sweet Strawberries,' children follow Strawberry Shortcake as she loses strawberries one by one. This reduction from five to zero helps children grasp basic subtraction in a tangible and engaging way.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by engaging in simple counting activities during mealtime or while playing, enhancing their early math skills.
Example Lesson: Sharing with Others
Explanation: Strawberry Shortcake shares her strawberries with her friends throughout the book, demonstrating the joy and importance of sharing.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to share their own snacks or toys with friends and siblings, fostering a sense of generosity and cooperation.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: As the strawberries disappear, Strawberry Shortcake and her friends think of different ideas to protect or replace them. This shows effective problem solving and creative thinking.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to think on their feet and develop solutions when they face similar small challenges, such as dealing with a lost toy or deciding on a game to play with friends.
Example Lesson: Friendship and Social Skills
Explanation: The interaction between Strawberry Shortcake and her friends highlights positive social behaviors and the value of friendship.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to interact positively and build strong friendships, mimicking the behaviors seen between the characters in the book.
Example Lesson: Coping with Loss
Explanation: The story gently introduces the concept of loss as the strawberries disappear, teaching children that loss is a part of life and it's okay to feel sad about it.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children accept minor losses in life, such as misplacing a favorite toy, and teaches them appropriate emotional responses.