Furry and Flo: The Big Hairy Secret
#1 of 6 in Furry And Flo Series
What’s inside...
Fourth grader Flo Gardner and her mother have just moved into the Corman Tower Apartment building, and she is pretty sure she does not like it--the boy werewolf next door is alright, but the monster spiders have got to go. Flo Gardner isn't exactly thrilled when she and her mom move into Corman Towers, a giant apartment building in the middle of the city. To call their new home strange is an understatement. And things only get weirder when she meets Ferdinand, better known as Furry. It doesn't take Flo long to realize that there's more than one secret lurking in her new home.
Character compass
Flo Gardner
Furry
Discussion points
What do you think Flo felt when she discovered the secret about Furry? How would you feel if you were in her place?
Furry is quite different from anyone Flo has met before. What does this tell us about accepting others who are different from us?
Why is it important to keep some secrets, like the one Flo keeps for Furry? Can you think of a time you had to keep a secret to help a friend?
How do Flo and Furry help each other throughout the story? What does this teach us about friendship and teamwork?
If you could have a magical creature as a friend, what kind would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the story, asking how they would react in similar situations.
Discuss the importance of diversity and acceptance, relating these themes back to their everyday interactions with friends and classmates.
Highlight the value of secrets when they protect someone, balancing this with the importance of honesty. Use examples from the book to initiate talk on discretion and trust.
Collaborate on drawing or creating a new magical friend, inspired by Furry, to deepen their connection with the concept of magical creatures and the power of imagination.
After discussing each question, ask your child to summarize what Flo and Furry might do next, fostering predictive skills and creative thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage and bravery
Explanation: In 'Furry and Flo: The Big Hairy Secret,' Furry exhibits courage when confronting secretive and mysterious situations, showing that bravery can lead to positive outcomes.
Real-World Application: Children can apply the idea of courage in their own lives by facing new challenges fearlessly, whether it's trying out for a sports team, standing up to a bully, or speaking up in class.
Example Lesson: Friendship and trust
Explanation: The bond between Furry and Flo highlights the importance of friendship and trusting each other through thick and thin, as they work together to solve the mystery.
Real-World Application: Kids learn the value of building trusting relationships with others and the importance of supporting friends in times of need.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: The characters encounter various challenges and through teamwork and clever thinking, they find solutions, demonstrating effective problem-solving.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to think critically and collaboratively solve problems they encounter at school or home.
Example Lesson: Accepting differences
Explanation: Throughout the story, characters meet various creatures, learning to accept and celebrate differences. This promotes diversity and inclusivity.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to embrace individual differences in their classmates and community members, fostering an inclusive attitude.