Hippo & Rabbit in Brave Like Me (3 More Tales) (Scholastic Reader, Level 1)
#2 of 58 in Scholastic Reader Level 3 Series
on Goodreads (65)
What’s inside...
Hippo and Rabbit are back in three brand-new tales that follow Hippo as he navigates his fears with the help of his friend Rabbit. Together they face various situations that make Hippo scared, but with Rabbit's support, Hippo learns to be brave. Throughout their adventures, Hippo is scared of things like balloons popping, taking baths, and spiders, while Rabbit encourages him to be brave. However, when Rabbit is surprised by a bee, the tables turn, and the story takes an amusing twist.
Discussion points
How did Rabbit show bravery in the stories? Can you think of a time when you were brave like Rabbit?
What do you think makes Hippo a good friend to Rabbit? How do you help your friends when they're scared?
In what ways did Hippo and Rabbit work together to solve problems? Why is teamwork important?
How did the stories make you feel? Which part was your favorite and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, build anticipation by asking your child what they think being brave means. Discuss times when both you and your child felt brave.
While reading, point out expressions on the characters’ faces and ask your child how they think the characters are feeling. This helps in understanding empathy and emotional cues.
After reading, relate the themes of the book to real-life situations your child might encounter, such as trying something new or facing fears, and discuss possible outcomes using bravery as shown by Hippo and Rabbit.
Encourage your child to draw a picture of their favorite part of the book. Ask them to explain their drawing, focusing on the themes of bravery and friendship.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in facing fears
Explanation: Through the character of Rabbit, who is often scared but finds ways to face his fears with the support of his friend Hippo, this book teaches children the importance of bravery.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by understanding that it's normal to feel scared and that they can overcome their fears by seeking support from friends or family.
Example Lesson: Importance of friendship
Explanation: The strong bond between Hippo and Rabbit throughout their adventures highlights the significance of having supportive friends in overcoming challenges.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children appreciate their friendships and encourage them to be supportive friends to others in their own lives.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: In each tale, Hippo and Rabbit encounter various challenges that they must solve together, demonstrating effective teamwork and critical thinking.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to apply similar problem-solving skills when facing challenges in school or at play, promoting better decision making and collaboration.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: As Hippo helps Rabbit through his fears, there is a strong theme of showing empathy and understanding towards others' feelings.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to be considerate and empathetic towards their peers, which can foster more harmonious interactions and relationships.