Jilly the Kid (Petsitters Club)
#1 in The Pet Finders Club Series
on Goodreads (21)
What’s inside...
Sam, Jo, Matthew, and Katie form the Petsitters Club, a neighborhood service aimed at helping with animal care as part of a school-related community service. Their first job involves taking care of Jilly the Kid, whom they initially mistake for a human child, but turns out to be a goat. The task proves to be funny, challenging, and full of surprises, setting the tone for their future petsitting adventures described across ten volumes filled with novelettes enhanced by black-and-white illustrations.
Discussion points
What do you think made Jilly want to start a Petsitters Club?
How do you feel about the way Jilly handles the challenges she faces in the story?
If you were a member of the Petsitters Club, what role would you choose and why?
What did Jilly learn about friendship and responsibility throughout the book?
If you could add a new character to Jilly's club, who would it be and what qualities would they bring?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the story to their personal experiences, particularly focusing on times they have had to work with others or take care of a pet.
Discuss the importance of teamwork and responsibility as demonstrated in the book, and relate these to real-life situations your child may encounter.
Ask your child to imagine their own petsitters club. Discuss what roles are essential and how they would solve challenges that may arise.
Prompt your child to think about the main characters’ emotions throughout the story, fostering empathy and understanding.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: In 'Petsitters Club', Jilly the Kid takes on the role of caring for her neighbors' pets, demonstrating the importance of being responsible for others.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to take care of their own pets or help with chores around the house, understanding that their actions directly affect those around them.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Throughout the book, Jilly learns to understand and relate to the needs and feelings of the pets she cares for, showcasing empathy.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to consider the feelings of others, be it classmates or family members, promoting kinder interactions.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Jilly encounters various challenges while pet sitting, such as finding a lost pet or calming a scared animal, which she resolves through clever thinking.
Real-World Application: Children learn that facing problems head-on and thinking of solutions is applicable in everyday situations, such as resolving conflicts with friends or overcoming obstacles in schoolwork.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: In some scenarios, Jilly works together with her friends to manage the pets, illustrating the value of teamwork.
Real-World Application: This lesson is transferable to group activities at school or collaborative tasks during play, teaching children the power of working together towards a common goal.
Example Lesson: Time Management
Explanation: Jilly the Kid learns to juggle pet sitting with her schoolwork and personal time, a lesson in managing time effectively.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by balancing their own school assignments, play time, and responsibilities, aiding in their overall personal development.