Langdimania
on Goodreads (13)
What’s inside...
Landimania; Langdimania is a land that only exists in the imagination of a twelve-year-old boy named Army. Or does it? Army has a lot on his plate (travelling between two worlds, learning the truth about time from a talking pig, trying to save the floating girl from impending doom) all while trying to get the lead in the school musical. Join the adventure as Army tries to figure it all out, while juggling the day-to-day struggles of junior high school. Langdimania is the debut novel from the award-winning writer and star of BBC Radio 4’s The Lach Chronicles.
Discussion points
What do you think the creatures of Langdimania represent in our world?
How did the story make you feel when the characters faced challenges?
What lessons can we learn from the main character's journey?
Which part of the book was the most exciting for you, and why?
If you could ask the author one question about the book, what would it be?
Tip: Role play these questions
Show genuine interest in their responses to encourage deeper thinking and understanding.
Relate the story's themes to real-life situations your child might encounter to make the concepts more relatable.
Encourage your child to draw a scene from the book to creatively express their interpretation of the story.
Ask follow-up questions based on your child’s responses to foster a more engaging and dynamic conversation.
Praise their efforts in thinking critically about the story and its characters to boost their confidence in expressing their thoughts.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: In 'Langdimania', the group of friends must collaborate to solve the mystery of the missing treasure, demonstrating how working together leads to success.
Real-World Application: Children learn to cooperate with peers during group activities at school and in play, understanding that combined efforts often achieve better results.
Example Lesson: Value of honesty
Explanation: The character Benny learns a tough lesson about honesty when his fibs lead to confusion and distrust among his friends. His journey to making amends underscores honesty's role in friendships.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to be truthful in their daily interactions, fostering trust and developing integral relationships with family and friends.
Example Lesson: Courage to face fears
Explanation: When the protagonist confronts the legendary beast of Langdimania to save a friend, it highlights the bravery required to face one's fears directly.
Real-World Application: This lesson can inspire children to tackle their own fears, whether it's trying out for a sports team, standing up in class, or sleeping alone in the dark.
Example Lesson: Resilience through challenges
Explanation: Throughout their adventure, the characters encounter numerous obstacles but their determination to not give up teaches resilience.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to persevere through difficulties in their own lives, be it in learning new skills or overcoming personal setbacks.