If I Were A Kangaroo
What’s inside...
If I were a kangaroo, I'd pick you up and carry you in my pocket, sleepyhead, and hop you gently off to bed. It's time for sleep, and this fun-to-read rhyming tale envisions the bedtime rituals of animals from whales to otters, squirrels to gorillas. So curl up, imagine your favorite animal, and...zzzzzzzzzzz.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
0-3
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think it would be like to sleep in a pouch like a baby kangaroo?
How do you think the mommy kangaroo feels about her baby?
If you could be any animal from the book, which one would you choose and why?
What do you think the animals do during the day when we aren’t looking?
How do you think the animals show love to each other?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine and express their thoughts on being different animals from the book.
Discuss the feelings and actions of the mommy kangaroo, reinforcing themes of love and care.
Ask your child to pick a favorite animal from the book and act out typical actions or noises that animal might make.
Engage in a discussion about the relationships between the animals and parallel them to human relationships.
Use the story as a springboard to talk about the child's own experiences with animals, whether pets or wildlife.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of family bonding
Explanation: The story illustrates a loving bond as various baby animals imagine being tucked into bed by their parents, highlighting the nurturing relationship.
Real-World Application: Children can appreciate and value the time they spend with family, understanding its importance in providing comfort and security.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding different perspectives
Explanation: As each animal imagines a different bedtime scenario, children see the world from various viewpoints, promoting an understanding of diverse lifestyles and needs.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to consider and respect how others might feel or experience different situations, helping them develop stronger social skills.
Example Lesson: Creativity and imagination
Explanation: The whimsical scenarios of different animals sleeping in unique ways foster a child’s creativity and imagination.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to use their imagination in play and problem-solving, making everyday tasks more enjoyable and engaging.
Example Lesson: Learning about different animals
Explanation: The book introduces children to various animals and their habitats, subtly educating them about wildlife.
Real-World Application: Children can become more interested in biology and environmental science, sparking curiosity about the natural world.
Example Lesson: Routine and stability
Explanation: Through the repetitive and gentle narrative of bedtime routines, children understand the importance of consistency and stability in daily life.
Real-World Application: Helps children feel more secure and manage their daily activities with a structured routine, promoting better habits and time management.