Fizzlebert Stump: The Boy Who Cried Fish
#3 in Fizzlebert Stump Series
What’s inside...
Fizzlebert Stump lives in a circus. His mum's a clown, his best friend is a bearded boy, and he sticks his head in a lion's mouth every night. Other than that, he's pretty normal. When Fish the sea lion goes missing, Fizzlebert tracks down the runaway beast to the Aquarium, with its piratical owner Admiral Spratt-Haddock, invisible octopus, and colour-coded fish. But the Aquarium has problems of its own. Fish (not Fish the sea lion, fish. Keep up.) are going missing, and the Admiral blames the circus. Can Fizzlebert solve the mystery, avoid an over-enthusiastic crocodile, and find his friend?
Discussion points
What do you think Fizzlebert learned about honesty throughout his adventures?
How do the different characters in the circus show teamwork? Can you give examples?
Why do you think Fizzlebert was willing to face challenges? How would you have handled those situations?
What parts of the story made you feel happy, sad, or excited? Why?
If you could be friends with any character from the book, who would it be and what would you do together?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive voices for different characters to make the reading more entertaining and to help differentiate between characters.
Pause after exciting moments in the story to discuss your child's predictions or feelings about what might happen next.
Relate the story to your child’s experiences by asking if they have ever been in a situation where they had to be brave or honest.
Encourage drawing or acting out favorite scenes, which can deepen understanding and make the discussion more interactive.
After finishing the book, ask your child to summarize the story in their own words, promoting comprehension and recall.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of honesty
Explanation: Fizzlebert Stump learns the hard consequences of not telling the truth when his tales lead to confusion and trouble in the circus community.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to always tell the truth to maintain trust and build strong, reliable relationships with friends and family.
Example Lesson: Courage to face fears
Explanation: Throughout the story, Fizzlebert faces various challenges that require bravery, including dealing with a giant octopus. His courage helps him navigate these obstacles successfully.
Real-World Application: This story can inspire children to tackle their own fears and understand that bravery can lead to overcoming difficult situations.
Example Lesson: Value of friendship and teamwork
Explanation: Fizzlebert learns that working together with his circus friends is crucial, especially when solving problems or facing the circus's challenges.
Real-World Application: Children will see the benefit of collaborating and supporting others in group activities or school projects, promoting a cooperative spirit.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: The narrative demonstrates that Fizzlebert's actions, whether good or bad, lead to certain outcomes that affect him and others around him.
Real-World Application: This can teach children to consider the outcomes of their actions and behave responsibly to avoid negative consequences.