Hocus Pocus Takes the Train
#1 in Hocus Pocus Series
What’s inside...
In this virtually wordless graphic novel, Hocus Pocus, a rabbit who lives inside a magician's hat, attempts to reunite a treasured stuffed rabbit with its owner, a small child. Along the way, he faces challenges from the magician's dog, who tries to stop him at every turn. Despite the obstacles, Hocus Pocus uses his wits and perseverance to try and save the day. The story, crafted by award-winning author Sylvie Desrosiers and illustrated by comic artist Rémy Simard, is told entirely through retro, animation-style images and is perfect for pre-readers or reluctant readers.
Discussion points
What do you think Hocus Pocus felt when he took the train for the first time?
Why do you think the magician needed Hocus Pocus' help during the train journey?
How did the other passengers react to the magic tricks?
Can you imagine another adventure for Hocus Pocus? What would it be?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings by relating to Hocus Pocus’ first train ride, drawing parallels to their own first experiences.
Discuss the importance of teamwork as shown by Hocus Pocus and the magician, and ask your child about a time they helped someone.
Ask your child to describe their favorite part of the book and the emotions they felt during that scene to deepen their understanding.
Use the book’s illustrations to ask your child to describe what they see and invent a backstory for secondary characters.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: In the story, Hocus Pocus the dog works creatively and diligently to overcome various obstacles during the train ride.
Real-World Application: Children can apply problem-solving in their daily activities by thinking of inventive solutions to challenges they face, such as resolving conflicts with friends or completing tasks.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and cooperation
Explanation: The characters in the book, including the rabbit and dog, cooperate to manage the situations that arise during their journey, demonstrating the importance of working together.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to collaborate with others, fostering teamwork in school projects or family activities, emphasizing that collective effort often achieves better results.
Example Lesson: The value of punctuality
Explanation: The book highlights the importance of catching the train on time, showcasing the adventures that can be missed by being late.
Real-World Application: Children learn the significance of being timely, which can be applied to attending school, appointments, or any scheduled event, helping them develop respect for others’ time.
Example Lesson: Dealing with unexpected changes
Explanation: The story portrays how sudden changes, like missing a train stop, can be managed calmly and creatively.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to adapt to changes and disruptions in their routine, such as a change in a school schedule or an unplanned family event, and to handle them with resilience.
Example Lesson: Joy of shared experiences
Explanation: The train journey in the book is a shared adventure among the characters, reflecting the joy and depth added to experiences when shared with others.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to value shared experiences with family and friends, enhancing social bonds and creating lasting memories.