Harriet Gets Carried Away
on Goodreads (1,453)
What’s inside...
Harriet loves costumes and wears them everywhere, including her super-special dress-up birthday party. Her dads have decorated for the party and Harriet has picked out her favorite costume. However, they are missing party hats. Dressed in her penguin costume, Harriet sets out to find hats but ends up finding real penguins instead. She gets carried away with the flock, and although she looks like a penguin, she realizes she doesn't belong in the arctic. Harriet must find her way back to her dads and the party hats in time for her special day.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-6
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think Harriet wore her penguin costume to the store?
How do you think Harriet felt when she got carried away by the penguins?
What would you do if you found yourself on an adventure like Harriet?
How did Harriet solve the problem of getting back home?
What does this story teach us about being ourselves and the importance of helping others?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate to Harriet by asking if they have ever worn a costume or pretended to be someone else.
Discuss Harriet’s feelings and reactions throughout the story to foster emotional intelligence and empathy.
Use the story’s adventurous elements to spark your child's imagination by asking them to come up with their own creative adventure.
Focus on the problem-solving aspect of the story to enhance your child’s critical thinking skills.
Highlight the themes of individuality and assistance by discussing the importance of embracing who we are while helping those around us.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Problem-solving and resourcefulness
Explanation: Harriet demonstrates problem-solving skills when she finds herself in an unfamiliar situation among penguins and must figure out how to get back home.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of thinking on their feet and using available resources to manage unexpected situations in their daily lives.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding different perspectives
Explanation: Through her journey, Harriet encounters various characters and learns to see the world from their viewpoints, fostering empathy.
Real-World Application: This story encourages children to consider others' feelings and perspectives, which is crucial in building strong interpersonal relationships.
Example Lesson: Importance of preparation and planning
Explanation: Harriet's adventure begins when she gets carried away by her own costume plans, highlighting the need for proper preparation.
Real-World Application: Helps children understand that while imagination is wonderful, effective planning is equally important, especially when engaging in any project or task.
Example Lesson: Courage in facing the unknown
Explanation: Harriet bravely navigates through an unexpected journey, showing courage in the face of the unknown.
Real-World Application: Instills confidence in children to face new challenges and unfamiliar situations without fear.
Example Lesson: Joy of imaginative play
Explanation: The story celebrates the joys and boundless possibilities of imaginative play through Harriet's costume adventures.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to engage in creative play, which enhances cognitive abilities and fosters creativity.