It's Time for School, Stinky Face (Board Book)
Stinky Face Series
What’s inside...
In 'It's Time for School, Stinky Face,' author Lisa McCourt delivers another delightful story in the beloved Stinky Face series. This board book is designed for young readers and follows the imaginative and inquisitive Stinky Face as he grapples with the idea of going to school. With his usual array of quirky questions and worries, Stinky Face expresses his concerns to his mother, who reassures him with creative and comforting responses. She addresses his fears with humor and love, ensuring Stinky Face that school will be an exciting adventure filled with learning and new friends. The book's engaging narrative and colorful illustrations make it an enjoyable read for children and parents, easing the anxieties of starting school and encouraging a positive attitude towards education.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
0-3
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Stinky Face
Mama
Discussion points
Why do you think Stinky Face has so many questions about school?
How would you feel if you were going to a new place like Stinky Face?
What are some ways you could make a new friend on your first day of school?
Can you think of a time when you were nervous about something new, and how you felt after trying it?
What are some things you look forward to learning in school?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about starting school or any new experience. Validate their feelings and share your own experiences related to new beginnings to make them feel understood. Use the book’s illustrations to point out emotions and situations, asking your child to guess how Stinky Face might be feeling at different points. Lastly, emphasize that it’s okay to have questions and uncertainties, just like Stinky Face, and that learning and growing are all part of life’s adventure.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing New Experiences
Explanation: In 'It's Time for School, Stinky Face,' the protagonist expresses various worries about starting school. Through imaginative questions and loving answers from his mother, Stinky Face learns to embrace the new adventure ahead.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to approach new activities or changes in routine with curiosity and openness, reducing anxiety about the unknown.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, Stinky Face poses hypothetical, sometimes outlandish, scenarios about school. His mother helps him think through each scenario, demonstrating problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think critically and creatively about obstacles they might face, teaching them to find solutions rather than focusing on the problem.
Example Lesson: Parental Reassurance
Explanation: The constant reassurance provided by Stinky Face’s mother in the story highlights the importance of support from parents or guardians during new experiences.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of seeking guidance and reassurance from adults when facing uncertain situations, fostering a sense of security and confidence.
Example Lesson: Value of Questions
Explanation: Stinky Face’s inquisitive nature in the book showcases the importance of asking questions as a way to learn and understand the world better.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children feel more comfortable expressing their thoughts and concerns through questions, enhancing their learning and communication skills.
Example Lesson: Imagination and Creativity
Explanation: The imaginative scenarios Stinky Face comes up with about school life encourage creative thinking and show how imagination can help ease worries.
Real-World Application: Children can use imaginative play or creative thinking as tools to cope with and adapt to new experiences, making them less intimidating and more enjoyable.