Hairy Hezekiah
What’s inside...
BAD-TEMPERED RUNAWAY CAMEL. Funny, fast, and satisfying--a hilarious yarn from the 'master of animal stories.'* Tired of his lonely life at the zoo, Hezekiah--an ornery, very hairy Bacrian camel--busts out and heads across country. His adventure leads him to an eccentric (and equally hairy) aristocrat, a new life at a wildlife park, and company in the form of a female camel. Laughs, action, short chapters, and a genuine appreciation of the animal world make this a satisfying choice for newly independent readers. Nick Bruel's antic black-and-white drawing add to the fun. *The Guardian (London)
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
96 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Hezekiah felt when he was all alone?
What are some of the ways Hezekiah tried to make friends?
Why is it important to have friends? How do you make friends?
What would you have done if you were in Hezekiah’s place?
Can you think of a time when you felt like Hezekiah and what you did about it?
Tip: Role play these questions
Utilize a warm and open tone to make your child feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings.
Relate the questions to your child’s personal experiences to deepen the discussion.
Encourage your child to not only answer questions but also to ask their own about the story and its characters.
Highlight the moral and emotional aspects of the story to foster empathy and understanding.
Praise your child’s responses to reinforce their engagement and critical thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Self-reliance
Explanation: Hairy Hezekiah, a lonely camel, learns to take care of himself in the zoo after his partner passes away.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of being independent and handling situations on their own, even when they feel alone.
Example Lesson: Friendship
Explanation: Throughout the story, Hairy Hezekiah makes new friends which helps him overcome his loneliness.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to reach out and connect with others, highlighting the positive impact friendships can have on one's life.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Hezekiah faces several challenges but remains determined to find happiness again, demonstrating resilience.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the value of perseverance through difficult times and the ability to adapt to new situations.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: As Hezekiah interacts with other animals, he learns to understand and share the feelings of others.
Real-World Application: Helps children develop empathy by teaching them to recognize and respect the feelings and perspectives of those around them.