It Is A... and Big Fin and Fat Ben
It Is A Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
Join the adventures of three quirky friends, Big Fin, Fat Ben, and their mysterious new companion, as they navigate the challenges of friendship and self-discovery in a fantastical world.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think It Is A... is about based on its title? What clues does the title give?
How do you think Big Fin and Fat Ben might be different from each other? How might they be the same?
What challenges do you think the characters might face in their adventures?
Can you think of a time when you felt similar to any of the characters in the book?
What would you do if you were in the situations presented in the stories?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to predict the plot or the end of the story based on illustrations or early pages of the book.
Ask your child how the characters and situations in the book relate to their own experiences. This can help connect the themes of the book to real-life scenarios.
Discuss the actions and decisions of the characters to foster critical thinking and ethical reasoning.
Use expressive tone and voice variations when reading dialogues to make the reading session more entertaining and to help distinguish between different characters.
After reading, encourage your child to draw a scene or a character from the book, or to create an alternate ending, reinforcing their comprehension and creative thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The value of friendship
Explanation: Throughout the story, It Is A... forms a special bond with Big Fin and Fat Ben, showing that friendship can form in the most unlikely circumstances.
Real-World Application: Children learn how to build and maintain relationships, understanding the importance of being kind and supportive to everyone they meet.
Example Lesson: Accepting differences
Explanation: Each character in the book, including Big Fin and Fat Ben, has unique traits. The story promotes acceptance and celebration of these differences.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to appreciate diversity and respect others in their community and school, fostering a more inclusive environment.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: The characters face several challenges in their adventures. By working together, they find creative solutions to their problems.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to approach their own challenges with creativity and teamwork, aiding their development of critical thinking and cooperation skills.
Example Lesson: Courage to explore
Explanation: The characters embark on exciting adventures, showing bravery in exploring the unknown.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to try new activities, meet new friends, and explore the world around them with enthusiasm and confidence.