Invasion of the Giant Bugs
on Goodreads (6)
What’s inside...
Professor Sponge and Co arrive back on Earth (or so they think), only to find themselves surrounded by a selection of giant bugs including enormous spiders and giant slugs, illustrated in glowing 3D. Will the Professor ever make it safely home? When something goes wrong with their spaceship, Professor Sponge, Max, Lucy, and Soap land on a planet filled with huge, creepy-crawly insect combatants, in a story accompanied by 3-D holograms.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What would you do if you encountered a giant bug like in the story?
How do you think the characters felt when they saw the giant bugs?
What are some ways the characters tried to solve their problem?
Why do you think the author chose bugs as the central element of the story?
If you could create your own giant bug, what would it look like and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, explore what your child already knows about bugs. This can build curiosity and context for the story.
While reading, pause at exciting moments to predict together what might happen next.
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the story’s events, fostering emotional intelligence.
After reading, connect the story's themes to real-life situations, enhancing understanding and relevance.
Use expressive voices for different characters to make the reading experience more engaging and enjoyable.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: Throughout 'Invasion of the Giant Bugs', children see characters working together to solve the problem of the giant bugs invasion. This cooperation is pivotal in overcoming obstacles in the story.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of collaborating with others, whether in school projects or family activities, emphasizing that teamwork can lead to successful outcomes.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving Skills
Explanation: The book showcases characters analyzing the situation, creating plans, and making decisions to tackle the challenge posed by the bugs. This strategic thinking is a central theme.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply these problem-solving tactics when dealing with everyday challenges, understanding that thoughtful planning and decision-making are keys to resolving issues.
Example Lesson: Courage in the Face of Fear
Explanation: As the characters confront the scary giant bugs, they demonstrate bravery, which ultimately helps them to protect their town.
Real-World Application: This lesson can inspire children to face their fears and understand that bravery is not the absence of fear, but the ability to move forward despite it, such as trying new activities or standing up for themselves.
Example Lesson: Respect for Nature
Explanation: The story provides a narrative that encourages respecting and understanding nature, even when it seems frightening or alien.
Real-World Application: This can teach children to be curious about the natural world, promote outdoor exploration, and foster a caring attitude towards the environment.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Innovation
Explanation: Characters in the book often use creative solutions to deal with the giant bugs, demonstrating that sometimes unconventional thinking is necessary to solve problems.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to think outside the box and be innovative, useful for creative endeavors in school projects or in finding new ways to play and interact with others.