John Midas and the Radio Touch (Read Alouds)
#3 in John Midas Series
on Goodreads (13)
What’s inside...
An adventure story with a strong conservation theme, featuring John Midas, hero of 'The Chocolate Touch'. After visiting the dentist, he finds he can hear radio signals through his tooth filling, and is soon on a quest to foil the ornithological crime of the century.
Discussion points
How do you think John felt when he discovered his new ability? What would you do if you found out you had a similar power?
What are some good and bad consequences of John's radio touch? Have you ever experienced a situation where something you wished for had unexpected consequences?
John learns some valuable lessons in this story. What do you think is the most important lesson, and why?
If you could give John advice at the beginning of the book, what would you tell him?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use open-ended questions that prompt your child to think deeply about the story and relate it to their own experiences.
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in John’s situation, fostering empathy and a deeper understanding of the character's emotions and decisions.
Discuss the moral lessons in the story, linking them to real-life scenarios to help reinforce these concepts.
Allow the child to express their opinions and feelings about the book, validating their thoughts and showing that their perspective is valued.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of self-control
Explanation: John Midas demonstrates the consequences of lacking self-control when his desire for everything to turn into radio broadcasts leads to chaos.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to think about the consequences of their actions and exercise restraint in various situations, like during interactions with friends or while handling delicate objects.
Example Lesson: Understanding the value of communication
Explanation: As everything John touches turns into radio noise, he realizes the importance of clear and direct communication.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the significance of expressing their thoughts clearly and listening to others, which are crucial skills for effective communication in school and at home.
Example Lesson: Respect for personal and others' space
Explanation: John's uncontrollable ability affects not only his life but also those around him, showing how personal actions can invade others' space and peace.
Real-World Application: Children can understand the importance of respecting others' boundaries and learn to be more considerate of the space and comfort of people around them.
Example Lesson: Learning to appreciate non-materialistic joys
Explanation: John eventually sees that the radio touch, although fascinating, doesn't bring real happiness and learns to find joy in the simple, non-material aspects of life.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to cherish simple pleasures like spending time with family or enjoying nature, rather than material possessions.