Happy Christmas, Spot!
Spot The Dog Series
on Goodreads (146)
What’s inside...
In 'Happy Christmas, Spot!', children join Spot as he celebrates the festive season with his friends and family. The book features interactive flaps for young readers to lift, revealing surprises and advancing the story. The Christmas season is bustling with activities, from decorating the tree to making and wrapping presents. Spot helps his mom in the kitchen and eagerly awaits Santa, almost forgetting to leave milk and cookies for him.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
1-3
Length
12 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What was your favorite part of Spot's Christmas adventure and why?
How do you think Spot felt when he found the present hidden under the bed?
Why is sharing and giving important during Christmas, as shown in the book?
What are some ways we can celebrate Christmas like Spot?
How did the illustrations make you feel about Christmas?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to bring the story to life; change your voice for different characters and emphasize exciting moments to keep your child engaged.
Pause at key moments in the story to ask your child predictive questions, such as what they think might happen next or how a character might be feeling.
Relate the book's themes to your child’s own experiences with Christmas or gift-giving to make the story more relatable and memorable.
After reading, encourage your child to draw a scene from the book or their own version of a Christmas celebration inspired by the story.
Discuss the importance of traditions and family during the holiday season as depicted in the book, and share your family's own holiday traditions.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Sharing
Explanation: In 'Happy Christmas, Spot!', Spot shares his Christmas gifts and joys with his friends, demonstrating a generous spirit.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to share their toys and snacks with friends, fostering a sense of community and kindness.
Example Lesson: Value of Patience
Explanation: Throughout the book, Spot waits patiently for Christmas celebrations and surprises, which teaches children the value of patience during exciting times.
Real-World Application: Kids can practice patience while waiting for their turn during games or for special events like birthdays.
Example Lesson: Joy of Giving
Explanation: Spot experiences the joy of giving gifts more than receiving, which emphasizes the happiness found in making others happy.
Real-World Application: Encourage children to make gifts for family members or friends, showing them how giving can be as rewarding as getting.
Example Lesson: Celebration of Community
Explanation: The book shows various characters coming together to celebrate, highlighting the importance of community during festive occasions.
Real-World Application: Children can participate in community gatherings like school events or neighborhood festivals to experience unity and collective joy.
Example Lesson: Exploring Curiosity
Explanation: Spot's adventure in discovering his Christmas presents channels a healthy curiosity, which is vital for developmental learning.
Real-World Application: Support children's explorative activities, such as scavenger hunts or educational field trips, to enhance their learning and curiosity.