I Wanna New Room
I Wanna Series
What’s inside...
Ever since their baby sister came along, Alex has been forced to share a room with his little brother, Ethan, and it's a nightmare. Ethan always breaks stuff, snores like a walrus, and sticks crayons up his nose. No hardworking, well-behaved, practically grown-up boy like Alex should have to put up with that! Writing letters to his mom convinced her to let him get his pet iguana, so Alex puts pencil to paper again, this time determined to get his own room. Though all of his powers of persuasion can't get his dad to expand the house, he does come through with a fun alternative to give Alex some space of his own.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Alex felt when he had to share his room with Ethan? Can you share a time when you had to share something important with someone else?
Why do you think Alex wanted a new room? What would you do if you were in his place?
Alex writes letters to convince his parents for a new room. If you wanted something important, how would you express it to someone?
At the end of the story, how do Alex and his brother solve their problem? What does this teach us about solving disagreements?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by sharing your own experiences related to sharing or having your own space to create a common ground. Encourage empathy by asking your child to put themselves in Alex’s shoes. Discuss the importance of communication and expressing one’s feelings and thoughts clearly, much like Alex does through his letters. Highlight the resolution of the story and discuss the importance of compromise and finding solutions together.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of effective communication
Explanation: The protagonist, Alex, uses letters to express his feelings and negotiate with his parents about getting a new room. This demonstrates the power of written communication.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to express their needs and feelings clearly through writing, which can be used in day-to-day interactions with family and peers.
Example Lesson: The value of persistence
Explanation: Alex doesn't give up easily on his quest for a new room, and his ongoing efforts throughout the book showcase his persistence.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to persevere in achieving their own goals, whether in academics, sports, or personal projects.
Example Lesson: Understanding and compromise
Explanation: As the story unfolds, Alex comes to understand his brother’s perspective and the family dynamics, leading to a compromise that works for everyone.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to see things from others' points of view and finding middle ground in conflicts with siblings or friends.
Example Lesson: Creative problem solving
Explanation: Alex uses creativity in his letters, proposing various humorous solutions for his situation.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think creatively when faced with challenges, using their imagination to explore different solutions.