Hedgehog's Balloon: A Percy the Park Keeper Story
Tales from Percy’s Park Series
on Goodreads (5)
What’s inside...
In 'Hedgehog's Balloon: A Percy the Park Keeper Story' by Nick Butterworth, Percy the Park Keeper helps his friend, a little hedgehog, whose balloon has burst. Percy goes on a charming adventure through the park to find a solution, encountering various animal friends along the way. The story is filled with themes of friendship, problem-solving, and the joys of park life. Percy's kindness and ingenuity shine as he works to cheer up the hedgehog and ensure all the park inhabitants are happy.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-6
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Hedgehog felt when his balloon popped, and why?
What would you have done if you were Percy to help Hedgehog feel better?
Can you think of a time when you helped a friend who was sad? What did you do?
What does this story teach us about friendship and caring for others?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in the characters' shoes to deepen empathy. Use expressive reading to highlight the emotions in the story. Discuss similar experiences your child might have had to connect the story to real life. Praise your child's responses to foster a positive reading environment.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Kindness
Explanation: In 'Hedgehog's Balloon,' characters show care for one another, as demonstrated when Percy and other animals help Hedgehog after his balloon bursts.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to recognize emotions in others and offer help or kind words when someone is upset or in need, strengthening social bonds and emotional intelligence.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving
Explanation: The story shows Percy and his friends brainstorming and working together to find a solution to Hedgehog's problem, highlighting cooperation and creative thinking.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to work collaboratively to solve problems, whether in school projects or in resolving conflicts with peers.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Despite his disappointment over the burst balloon, Hedgehog, with the help of his friends, finds joy in other activities, demonstrating resilience in the face of setbacks.
Real-World Application: Children can learn that it is possible to recover from disappointment and find happiness in other aspects of their lives, fostering emotional resilience.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: The story reflects perseverance as the characters do not give up when faced with the challenge of cheering up Hedgehog.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of persisting in their efforts no matter the obstacles, instilling a strong work ethic and determination.