George's Marvellous Medicine
What’s inside...
George is a young boy living with his parents and his unpleasant grandmother. When left alone with her, he decides to concoct a new medicine to improve her temperament. The potion causes his grandmother to undergo bizarre transformations, growing so tall she bursts through the ceiling. Encouraged by his father to recreate the potion for their farm animals, George tries but fails to replicate the formula, causing further chaos as the animals grow to gigantic sizes. Eventually, the effects wear off and the grandmother disappears, leaving the family happier and appreciating George's creative imagination.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-10
Length
160 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think about George's decision to make the medicine? Do you think it was a good or bad idea, and why?
How did the different characters react to the medicine? What do you think this says about them?
If you had the chance to create your own marvellous medicine, what would you put in it and what would you hope it does?
How do you think the story would have changed if George had told his grandma what he was doing from the start?
What is the most important lesson you learned from this story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think critically about the consequences of George's actions and discuss alternative solutions he might have considered.
Explore the motivations and responses of different characters by asking your child how they would feel in similar situations.
Stimulate creativity by having your child come up with their own version of a 'marvellous medicine', discussing the ingredients and desired effects.
Discuss the importance of honesty and communication in family relationships, using George and his grandma's relationship as a starting point.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Creativity and innovation
Explanation: George's wild concoction of a medicine represents thinking outside the box and innovating with the resources at hand.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to use their imagination to solve problems and make the most of what they have available.
Example Lesson: Understanding the consequences of actions
Explanation: Although George's intentions are whimsical, the reactions to his medicine demonstrate that actions have consequences.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to think about the outcomes of their actions and to be mindful of how they affect others.
Example Lesson: Respect for elders
Explanation: George's interactions with his grandmother, despite her quirks, highlight the theme of respecting and caring for elderly family members.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to show compassion and respect towards their older family members or individuals they encounter.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and exploration
Explanation: George’s curiosity leads him to experiment and learn through trial and error.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to explore the world around them and learn through hands-on experiences and curiosity-driven activities.
Example Lesson: The importance of adult supervision
Explanation: The chaotic results of George's unsupervised experiment underscore the necessity of adult guidance in certain activities.
Real-World Application: It helps children understand the importance of seeking adult help and supervision in potentially dangerous or unknown situations.