Fred: The Fairy With No Wings
#1 of 1 in FRED: The Fairy With No Wings - Bridge Between Decodable Readers and Chapter Books for Dyslexic or Intermediate Readers Series
on Goodreads (4)
What’s inside...
Meet Fred, a wingless fairy who embarks on a thrilling adventure with her friends, Newt, a blind gnome, and Kimmy, a Folk Witch who doesn't talk. After challenging a talented witch to a test of skills, they encounter setbacks and hazards, leading to a heart-thumping journey that explores what it means to be different. Designed for early readers, dyslexic, and different learners, the FRED series offers an engaging transition from single syllable decodable words to full-sized chapter books. The text includes dyslexic-friendly font and spacing, and repetitive use of sound blends, digraphs, and long vowels to aid memory, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Discussion points
How do you think Fred felt when he realized he was different from the other fairies?
What are some ways Fred used his unique talents to help his friends?
Can you think of a time when you felt different from others? How did you handle it?
Why do you think it's important to appreciate what makes us each special?
How did Fred's friends support him, even though he was different?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to convey the emotions in the story, helping your child to connect with Fred's experiences.
Encourage your child to relate personal experiences to those of Fred, facilitating a deeper understanding of the book's message on uniqueness and self-acceptance.
Praise your child’s insights and answers to build confidence and encourage further exploration of the themes discussed.
Discuss the illustrations and ask your child how they think the pictures help to tell Fred's story, enhancing visual literacy skills alongside verbal discussion.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing uniqueness
Explanation: Fred, the wingless fairy, shows that it's okay to be different. Despite lacking wings, he finds his unique place in the fairy community.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate their own unique traits and understand that everyone has something special to offer, promoting self-acceptance and inclusion in diverse settings.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Throughout the story, Fred faces challenges due to his lack of wings but he never gives up on finding his own way to contribute and fly.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to keep trying despite difficulties, helping them develop resilience and determination in overcoming personal challenges.
Example Lesson: Creativity and problem-solving
Explanation: To compensate for not having wings, Fred uses innovative methods and creative ideas to interact and fly with his peers.
Real-World Application: Children learn that thinking outside the box can solve problems, fostering creative thinking skills that are applicable in school projects and everyday challenges.
Example Lesson: Empathy and support
Explanation: The other fairies learn to understand and support Fred's differences, rather than exclude him.
Real-World Application: This story teaches children to be empathetic towards others who are different and to support peers in their community, improving their social interaction and emotional intelligence.
Example Lesson: Celebrating achievements, no matter the scale
Explanation: When Fred finally finds his unique way to 'fly,' his small victory is celebrated by all enthusiastically.
Real-World Application: It teaches children to appreciate their own progress and that of others, fostering a positive environment of encouragement and celebration in family and school settings.