Harriet the Horrible in Best Friends
#1 in The Harriet Hall Series
What’s inside...
Harriet the Horrible is a mischievous and adventurous young girl who is always getting into trouble. In this book, she learns the value of friendship and the importance of being a good friend. Through a series of humorous and heartwarming adventures, Harriet discovers the true meaning of friendship and the joy of having a best friend.
Discussion points
How did Harriet show she cared about her friends even when she made mistakes?
What would you do if you were in Harriet’s shoes when her friends were upset?
How can we learn from our mistakes and help our friends feel better?
What does being a good friend mean to you?
How did the characters change by the end of the story, and what impact did their actions have on others?
Tip: Role play these questions
Begin by sharing a personal story about a time you faced a similar situation as Harriet and discuss what you learned from it.
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story and its characters, validating their emotions and perspectives.
Guide your child to connect the story to their own experiences, asking questions like 'Has something similar ever happened to you?'
Discuss the importance of empathy and understanding in friendships, using examples from the book to illustrate these points.
Celebrate positive messages from the book, such as the power of forgiveness and teamwork, and discuss how to apply these lessons in daily life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Value of Friendship
Explanation: Harriet learns the true meaning of friendship through her interactions and adventures with her peers. Despite her initial mischievous behavior, she discovers the importance of supporting and caring for her friends.
Real-World Application: Children learn to build and nurture friendships by understanding the significance of trust, support, and empathy in their day-to-day interactions with peers.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Actions
Explanation: Throughout the book, Harriet faces various consequences for her actions which teach her about responsibility. This helps her understand that her choices impact not just herself but also those around her.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children grasp the concept of accountability and encourages them to think about the outcomes of their actions before they act.
Example Lesson: Importance of Honesty
Explanation: Harriet learns the hard way that honesty is crucial after her tall tales lead to misunderstandings with friends. The story highlights how honesty fosters trust in relationships.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to be honest in their dealings which builds trust and strengthens relationships, both at home and school.
Example Lesson: Embracing Difficult Emotions
Explanation: The book navigates through Harriet’s journey of handling difficult emotions like jealousy and anger, teaching her self-awareness and emotional regulation.
Real-World Application: It teaches children to recognize and manage their emotions effectively, aiding in their emotional development and interactions with others.
Example Lesson: Learning from Mistakes
Explanation: Harriet's errors and the subsequent rectifications provide her with valuable learning opportunities. The narrative promotes understanding that making mistakes is a part of learning and growth.
Real-World Application: This lesson instills a growth mindset in children, encouraging them to view mistakes as learning opportunities rather than failures.