Jen the Hen
#2 of 389 in Cat Club Series
on Goodreads (31)
What’s inside...
Meet Jen the hen, who wrote to Ken, with paper and pen. What happened then? Jen the hen sends a message to Ken and Ben via Wren to meet at ten in the glen.
Discussion points
What do you think Jen the Hen likes most about her adventures?
How do you think the other characters feel about Jen?
What would you do if you were Jen the Hen for a day?
Can you think of a time when you felt similar to Jen?
What’s your favorite part of the story and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, relating it to their own experiences. Ask them to imagine different scenarios for Jen the Hen and discuss possible outcomes. Highlight the emotions and motivations of the characters to foster empathy. Use the story as a springboard to discuss broader themes like friendship and courage. Celebrate your child’s responses to build confidence in expressing their ideas.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship
Explanation: Throughout 'Jen the Hen', Jen demonstrates kindness and teamwork as she interacts with other barnyard animals, highlighting the value of building and maintaining friendships.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to cultivate positive relationships with their peers by being cooperative and considerate, mirroring Jen's interactions with her friends.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: Jen the Hen encounters various challenges on her adventures. The book showcases her ability to think critically and find solutions, which serves as a great model for effective problem-solving.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to approach obstacles in their lives with a calm and thoughtful mindset, analyzing situations to come up with practical solutions.
Example Lesson: The significance of perseverance
Explanation: Jen faces many setbacks but does not give up. Her determination to overcome difficulties is a central theme in the book.
Real-World Application: Kids are inspired to persist in their goals despite difficulties, understanding that resilience is key to achieving success.
Example Lesson: Embracing diversity
Explanation: Jen interacts with a variety of animals who are different from her, teaching respect and appreciation for diversity.
Real-World Application: Children learn to embrace and celebrate differences in others, fostering an inclusive community at school and beyond.
Example Lesson: Joy in learning and exploration
Explanation: Jen's curiosity leads her to explore the world around her, making exciting discoveries and learning new things.
Real-World Application: This can motivate children to be curious, explore their environments, and enjoy the learning process as they acquire new knowledge and skills.