Generic Book Title by Jill Murphy
The Worst Witch Series
on Goodreads (217)
What’s inside...
Alfie the deerhound is a large grey puppy who loves his boy Charlie, cheese, and digging holes. Unfortunately, Alfie gets lost and becomes scared of thunderstorms, being hungry, and the possibility of never seeing Charlie again. Meanwhile, Charlie is determined to find his dear hound and never stops searching. Written and illustrated by Jill Murphy, the story explores the bond between Alfie and Charlie, and Alfie's quest to find his way back home to his favorite beanbag in the kitchen.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
192 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What was your favorite part of the story, and why?
How did the characters' actions make you feel?
If you were in the story, what would you have done differently?
Why do you think the author chose to end the story the way they did?
What is the main lesson you learned from this book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive facial expressions and voices to bring the story to life during read-alouds.
Relate themes or events in the book to your child’s personal experiences to deepen their understanding and connection.
Encourage your child to ask questions about the story and characters, promoting curiosity and critical thinking.
After finishing the book, encourage your child to draw a scene or write a short story to express their interpretation or continuation of the narrative.
Discuss the moral or lesson of the book and how it applies to real-world situations, enhancing moral development.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of honesty
Explanation: Characters in the story often face situations where they must choose between telling the truth and facing consequences, or lying to avoid trouble. Their choices and the outcomes provide clear examples.
Real-World Application: Children learn that being honest, even when it's difficult, builds trust and can lead to more positive outcomes in their relationships with friends and family.
Example Lesson: Value of teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters collaborate to solve problems, highlighting how working together can achieve better results than working alone.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to participate in group activities and cooperate with peers, whether at school or during play, fostering a sense of community and shared achievement.
Example Lesson: Resilience in adversity
Explanation: The protagonist faces various challenges and learns to navigate them with courage and persistence, teaching readers about resilience.
Real-World Application: This prepares children to handle their own life challenges with confidence and determination, understanding that setbacks can be opportunities for growth.