Guinea Pigs Online
#1 in Guinea Pigs Online Series
What’s inside...
In this hilarious adventure for elementary school readers, a team of lovable, fuzzy guinea pigs gets online to solve their mysteries. Fuzzy the guinea pig loves to surf the web and cook. When he goes missing, his hutch-mate Coco goes online and discovers he could be in danger. She assembles a team of guinea pigs, including a tech whiz, a mother of fourteen, and a heroic freedom fighter, to rescue Fuzzy. Will they succeed in their mission and make it back home safely? Fuzzy and Coco are guinea pigs who live with their kindly owners, Ben and Henrietta Bliss. Coco likes to spend her days pampering herself and listening to harp concertos. Fuzzy is much more down to earth – he is a passionate cook who wants nothing more than to learn to make delicious meals for Ben and Henrietta. So when Fuzzy spots an ad run by glamorous local chef Scarlet Cleaver stating ‘Guinea Pigs Wanted’, he is enormously excited – what a chance to learn some cooking skills! Coco warns him that the ad is not what he thinks, but he won’t listen; when she’s not looking, he sneaks off to find the restaurant. And so Coco has to get online to try track Fuzzy down. But when Micespace reveals that guinea pigs from all over town have been taken away in a van by Scarlet Cleaver herself, Coco must set off on a rescue mission to prevent Fuzzy from ending up as main course on The Meat Cleaver’s menu!
Discussion points
What do you think Fuzzy and Coco learned about friendship by the end of their adventure?
How do the guinea pigs solve problems they encounter online? Can any of their strategies be used by humans?
What would you do if you were in Fuzzy's or Coco's situation during their adventure?
How do the different characters in the book help each other? Can you think of a time when you helped a friend or a friend helped you?
What role does technology play in the guinea pigs’ adventure? Do you think it’s important to be careful online?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use the discussion as an opportunity to educate your child about internet safety and the importance of being helpful and supportive to friends, as depicted in the book.
Encourage your child to connect the story to their own experiences by discussing similar situations they might have faced and how they resolved them.
Highlight the teamwork and problem-solving aspects of the story to reinforce these values in your child’s day-to-day interactions.
As you discuss the book, ask your child to imagine alternative endings or different decisions the characters could have made to deepen their understanding of the storyline.
Pose questions that allow your child to step into the shoes of the characters, fostering empathy and critical thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Cooperation
Explanation: In 'Guinea Pigs Online', the guinea pigs must work together to navigate through various challenges presented by the internet world. Their combined efforts and diverse skills help them overcome obstacles.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of collaborating with others to achieve common goals, be it in school projects, sports, or family activities.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving
Explanation: Throughout the story, the guinea pigs face several problems that require quick thinking and creative solutions. Their adventures emphasize the importance of thinking critically and solving problems effectively.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to approach challenges with a problem-solving mindset, enhancing their ability to tackle academic and personal challenges.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The guinea pigs take on the responsibility of navigating the online world safely and managing the problems they encounter responsibly. This highlights the theme of taking responsibility for one's actions and decisions.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to be more responsible in their daily tasks and understand the consequences of their actions, leading to better decision-making skills.
Example Lesson: Digital Literacy
Explanation: As the guinea pigs explore the online world, they learn about various aspects of digital environments. This serves as an introduction to basic concepts of the internet and technology use.
Real-World Application: This can help children become more aware of how to use technology wisely and responsibly, promoting safe internet practices from a young age.
Example Lesson: Friendship
Explanation: Friendship is a central theme in the book, with the guinea pigs supporting each other through thick and thin. This demonstrates the value of true friendship and mutual support.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to value and nurture their friendships, understanding the importance of emotional support and loyalty in their relationships.