Funnybones
Funnybones Series
on Goodreads (4,570)
What’s inside...
This is how the story begins. On a dark dark hill there was a dark dark town. In the dark dark town there was a dark dark street. This new edition of the classic story includes an accompanying CD, featuring the story read by acclaimed comic actor Stephen Mangan. Janet and Allan's frightfully funny Hallowe'en classic tells the story of three skeletons - a big skeleton, a little skeleton and a dog skeleton - who venture out of their cellar one night to find someone to scare, only to find that everyone is in bed. Who will they scare now?!
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Big Skeleton
Dog Skeleton
Little Skeleton
Discussion points
What do you think the skeletons enjoy the most about their nightly adventures?
How do the skeletons in the story help each other overcome obstacles?
What lessons do you think the skeletons learned by the end of the book?
How would you feel if you met the Funnybones skeletons one night?
If you could join the skeletons for a night of adventures, what would you like to do?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine and discuss what their own nighttime adventure would look like, using the skeletons' escapades as a starting point.
Discuss the importance of teamwork and helping others, as displayed by the skeletons, to navigate real-life challenges.
Ask your child to draw or describe their favorite part of the book. This helps them to think critically about what they enjoyed and why.
Engage in a fun activity by pretending to be skeletons with your child, reenacting scenes from the book to make the reading experience more interactive.
Use the humorous elements of the book to discuss with your child how humor can be used to tell a story or convey a message.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Family Bonds
Explanation: In 'Funnybones', the skeleton family members, including the Big Skeleton, Little Skeleton, and Dog Skeleton, always stick together and help each other navigate their nocturnal adventures.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of supporting and relying on family members during challenging or unfamiliar situations, reinforcing family unity and cooperation.
Example Lesson: Facing Fears
Explanation: Throughout their adventures, the skeletons encounter potentially scary situations. However, they tackle these experiences with humor and teamwork, demonstrating that fear can be managed and often isn't as scary as it seems.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to confront their own fears and understand that many worries can be less intimidating when faced head-on, possibly with the support of loved ones.
Example Lesson: Humor and Positivity
Explanation: The characters in 'Funnybones' consistently use humor to deal with the ups and downs of their nightly escapades. This consistent element of fun showcases the power of a positive outlook.
Real-World Application: Children learn to approach life's challenges with a sense of humor and optimism, which can enhance resilience and overall happiness.
Example Lesson: Sharing and Generosity
Explanation: The skeletons share everything they have with each other, from their experiences to their physical possessions, promoting a message of generosity and selflessness.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the importance of sharing with others, fostering a sense of community and kindness in their interactions.
Example Lesson: Learning through Exploration
Explanation: The skeleton family's curious nature leads them to explore their surroundings every night, learning something new in each story.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be curious about the world around them and to see learning as a fun and never-ending process.