Jasmine Toguchi, Bridge Builder
#7 of 8 in Jasmine Toguchi Series
What’s inside...
In the seventh book in the Jasmine Toguchi series by Debbi Michiko Florence and illustrator Elizabet Vukovic, Jasmine Toguchi embarks on a family adventure to Kabo, Japan, where her grandmother grew up. Full of warmth, laughter, and summer fun, Jasmine explores the beach, tangerine grove, and local festival. She hopes to share the excitement with her big sister Sophie, but Sophie prefers reading manga indoors. Despite missing her best friend Linnie and facing challenges with Sophie, Jasmine is determined to make the most of her time in Japan, embracing new experiences and getting into a little trouble along the way.
Discussion points
What challenges did Jasmine face while trying to build the bridge and how did she overcome them?
How did working on the bridge project help Jasmine understand her friends and family better?
What did Jasmine learn about teamwork and leadership during the bridge-building process?
Can you think of a time when you had to cooperate with others to achieve a common goal like Jasmine did?
How do you think the story would change if Jasmine had made different decisions?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate personal experiences with the events in the book, enhancing their connection to the story.
Discuss the importance of perseverance and teamwork as demonstrated by Jasmine, reinforcing these values in real-life contexts.
Ask your child what they would have done differently if they were in Jasmine’s situation, fostering critical thinking and decision-making skills.
Highlight the roles of different characters in the book and ask your child to think about how each character contributes to the story’s outcome, promoting comprehension and analytical skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: Jasmine Toguchi engages in a school project that requires working with her peers to build a bridge, demonstrating the importance of collaboration to achieve common goals.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson in their school group projects, learning to share ideas and tasks to successfully complete projects together.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving and Creativity
Explanation: Throughout the book, Jasmine encounters various challenges in her project that require creative solutions, showcasing her ability to think critically and adapt.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand that they can use creativity and critical thinking to solve everyday problems and overcome obstacles in innovative ways.
Example Lesson: Resilience and Perseverance
Explanation: Jasmine faces setbacks during her bridge-building project, but she remains determined and keeps trying, which underlines the value of resilience.
Real-World Application: Kids learn that persistence is key in facing life's challenges, whether it's completing a difficult homework, improving in a sport, or learning a new skill.