James and the Giant Peach (Colour Edition)
Roald Dahl Series
on Goodreads (495,673)
What’s inside...
The story follows a young boy named James who, after losing his parents, is forced to live with his two cruel aunts. A magical encounter leads him to discover an enormous peach inhabited by talking insects. Together, they embark on a fantastical journey across the ocean, facing challenges and adventures, ultimately leading James to find a new sense of belonging and family. This collectable hardcover edition will feature a beautiful cover and deluxe packaging, including peach-colored interior text and illustrations!
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-9
Length
352 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think James felt when he first discovered the giant peach?
What would you do if you found a giant peach and met new insect friends like James did?
Which of James's adventures did you find most exciting, and why?
How did the characters in the peach work together to overcome challenges?
If you could add another character to the story, who or what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage empathy by discussing James's feelings and responses throughout his journey.
Compare real-life insects to those in the book, fostering a connection between fiction and the natural world.
Encourage imaginative thinking by asking your child to envision their own magical fruit adventure.
Highlight the importance of teamwork and cooperation as shown by the characters in the peach.
Ask open-ended questions that allow your child to express their thoughts and relate the story to their own experiences.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage and overcoming fears
Explanation: James, the protagonist, faces his fears by embarking on an adventure with giant insects in a giant peach. Despite initial frights, James learns to trust these creatures and faces numerous challenges head-on.
Real-World Application: Children can learn that facing fears, though daunting, can lead to personal growth and unexpected friendships. This encourages them to tackle their own fears and challenges in life, whether it be trying a new activity or making new friends.
Example Lesson: Friendship and teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the story, James and his insect friends work together to navigate through various obstacles. Their teamwork shows the importance of cooperation and valuing each other's unique abilities.
Real-World Application: This lesson highlights the significance of cooperation and valuing diverse skill sets in group settings like in school projects or sports, teaching children the importance of working harmoniously with others.
Example Lesson: Creativity and innovation
Explanation: James often uses his imaginative thinking to solve problems, such as using spiderweb threads to capture seagulls and lift the giant peach into the air.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to use their imagination to think out of the box in day-to-day challenges. This can be applied in creative thinking exercises in school or in finding innovative solutions to everyday problems.
Example Lesson: Resilience and perseverance
Explanation: James consistently shows determination, whether in dealing with his cruel aunts or handling the adversities during his travel with the peach. He does not give up despite the difficulties he faces.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of persisting through personal challenges, whether they are learning a new skill, improving in a sport, or dealing with interpersonal difficulties.