Floating Bananas (Richard Scarry's Best Stories Ever)
#4 in The Plantagenets Series
on Goodreads (1,259)
What’s inside...
In 'Floating Bananas,' a story from 'Richard Scarry's Best Stories Ever,' readers experience a whimsical adventure featuring anthropomorphic animals in humorous everyday scenarios. While it may not specifically involve floating bananas, Scarry's tales often include playful situations with food, vehicles, and gentle mishaps, teaching children lessons on sharing, problem-solving, and friendship in a vibrant, illustrated world. The final volume in 'A History of the Plantagenets' recounts the tumultuous period from 1377 to 1485 in England, marked by civil war, peasant revolts, and religious dissent. It details the violent and chaotic reign of the last Plantagenet monarchs, characterized by rapid changes in kingship, brutal battles, and extravagant lifestyles, offering a deep understanding of this historical era through vivid storytelling.
Character compass
Richard III of England
Edward IV of England
Richard II of England
Henry IV of England
Discussion points
What do you think makes the bananas float in the story?
How do you think the characters felt when they saw the floating bananas?
What would you do if you saw something unusual like floating bananas?
Can you think of a creative way to use floating bananas in our daily life?
Why do you think the author chose bananas to float, and not another object?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use a warm and curious tone when asking these questions to make the child feel comfortable in expressing their thoughts.
Encourage the child to imagine beyond the book by asking them to come up with their own floating objects and stories around them.
Relate the questions back to the child’s experiences when possible, making connections between the story and their daily life.
Praise creative answers to foster a love for thinking outside the box, enhancing their problem-solving and imaginative skills.
Follow up on their responses with additional questions or comments to keep the conversation flowing and engaging.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: In 'Floating Bananas', characters work together to solve problems and help each other, demonstrating the power of collaboration.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of working with others to achieve common goals, which can be applied in school projects or team sports.
Example Lesson: Creativity and innovation
Explanation: The story encourages thinking outside the box through imaginative scenarios and inventive solutions that characters come up with.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to use their imagination to solve problems and express themselves creatively in art or writing.
Example Lesson: Resilience and perseverance
Explanation: Characters face challenges but keep trying until they succeed, showcasing resilience.
Real-World Application: Helps children understand the value of persisting through difficulties, whether it's learning a new skill or dealing with everyday obstacles.
Example Lesson: Understanding diversity
Explanation: Richard Scarry's stories include a variety of animal characters from different backgrounds, promoting diversity and inclusion.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to appreciate and respect differences among people in their community and beyond.