Get Busy Beaver
on Goodreads (41)
What’s inside...
GET BUSY, BEAVER! is the story of Thelonious Beaver, a young beaver who stands out from his family as they work tirelessly on building a dam. While they are busy flipping tails and chomping teeth, Thelonious takes time to appreciate nature and embarks on his own creative project. His unique approach ultimately inspires the rest of the beavers to appreciate the beauty around them, leading them to join Thelonious in taking a moment to smell the flowers. It's a heartwarming tale that celebrates individuality and the impact of stopping to appreciate the little things in life.
Age
4-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Beaver
Discussion points
What do you think Busy Beaver learned after his adventure?
How did Busy Beaver's friends help him when he encountered problems?
How do you think the river feels about the dam Busy Beaver built?
Can you think of a time when you worked together with friends to solve a problem?
What would you do if you were Busy Beaver for a day?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive voices for each character to make the story more engaging and to help differentiate between the characters.
Pause after exciting moments in the story to ask your child what they think might happen next.
Relate the story to your child’s experiences by discussing any similar situations they’ve faced and how they handled them.
Emphasize the themes of teamwork and problem-solving by discussing real-life examples of these concepts.
Encourage your child to draw their favorite scene or character from the book to deepen their connection with the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: Throughout 'Get Busy Beaver', the main character learns to rely on other animals to accomplish tasks, highlighting the value of working together.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or in sports, learning how to collaborate and value each team member's contribution.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and taking initiative
Explanation: The beaver in the story takes responsibility for a mistake and works hard to rectify it, demonstrating the importance of owning up to actions and proactively making amends.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of admitting mistakes and doing their best to correct them, whether it’s replacing a broken item or apologizing to a friend.
Example Lesson: Perseverance and problem-solving
Explanation: Faced with challenges, the beaver doesn't give up but instead finds creative solutions to problems, which portrays resilience and ingenuity.
Real-World Application: Children learn to keep trying in the face of difficulties, whether it’s solving a tough math problem or learning to ride a bicycle, understanding that persistence often leads to success.
Example Lesson: Respecting nature and environmental awareness
Explanation: The story emphasizes caring for natural habitats and demonstrates the impact of one’s actions on the environment.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to engage in environmentally friendly practices like recycling, conserving water, or participating in community clean-up days.
Example Lesson: The value of home and community
Explanation: The beaver's journey accentuates the significance of home and the support of community members, instilling a sense of belonging and safety.
Real-World Application: Children can appreciate and contribute to their own communities and understand the comfort and security that comes from a supportive home environment.