Gretel the Wonder Mammoth: A Story About Overcoming Anxiety
on Goodreads (62)
What’s inside...
Gretel the Wonder Mammoth is a heartwarming tale of a young mammoth named Gretel who struggles with anxiety after being the last mammoth to break free from her icy shell. The story follows her journey as she learns to face her fears and feelings of loneliness with the help of her friends, discovering her own inner strength and bravery. This beautifully illustrated book, which won the Best Illustrated Book in the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2023, teaches young readers about the importance of asking for help and supports themes of self-belief and kindness. It is an encouraging and positive bedtime read for children, comparable to works by Rob Biddulph, Rachel Bright, and Jim Field.
Age
6-10
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Gretel The Wonder Mammoth
Discussion points
How do you think Gretel felt when she first faced a challenge? Can you remember a time you felt the same?
What do you think helped Gretel overcome her anxiety?
Why is it important to have friends like the ones Gretel had?
How would you help a friend who feels anxious like Gretel did?
What did Gretel learn about herself by the end of the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to convey Gretel's emotions at different points in the story, helping your child connect emotionally with her experiences.
Pause after key moments in the story to ask your child how they feel and what they think might happen next.
Reflect together on similar situations your child has faced, discussing how they felt and what strategies helped them, linking these to Gretel’s experiences.
Encourage your child to draw or write about a time when they felt anxious and how they overcame that feeling, reinforcing the book’s themes.
Discuss the importance of friendship and support, asking your child about their friends and how they help each other in difficult times.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding and Managing Anxiety
Explanation: The story follows Gretel the Mammoth as she faces various situations that stir anxiety, using tools and techniques to manage her feelings.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to identify what triggers their anxiety and explore methods like deep breathing or talking to someone they trust, helping them cope in stressful situations.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Support
Explanation: Gretel's friends play a crucial role in helping her overcome her fears, showing understanding and patience.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of supporting friends who are struggling, and how being a compassionate friend can make a significant difference.
Example Lesson: Courage to Face Fears
Explanation: Despite her fears, Gretel bravely confronts challenging situations, which teaches her that she can handle more than she thought.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of facing their fears, understanding that it's okay to be scared and that courage isn’t about not feeling afraid, but about acting despite those fears.
Example Lesson: Self-acceptance
Explanation: Throughout the book, Gretel learns to accept and love herself, anxiety and all.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand that everyone has challenges and that they are worthy of love and acceptance regardless of their struggles.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Gretel shows resilience in overcoming obstacles caused by her anxiety, growing stronger with each experience.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to persevere through their difficulties, teaching them that resilience can lead to personal growth and success.