Let's Do a Thing! (Victor Shmud, Total Expert #1) (1)
#1 of 2 in Victor Shmud, Total Expert Series
on Goodreads (124)
What’s inside...
A new series from the bestselling author of Dear Dumb Diary and Franny K. Stein! Meet Victor, a total expert in everything except cleaning up bedrooms. Along with his sidekick, a duck named Dumpylumps, Victor embarks on wild adventures, including finding himself in the middle of an intergalactic conflict. With his confidence, imagination, top-secret kitchen concoction, his extraordinary teacher Mrs. Nozzleburp, and his friend Patti, Victor navigates the challenges, saves the day, and contemplates his next move.
Discussion points
What do you think makes Victor Shmud a 'total expert'? Can anyone become an expert in something, and how?
How did Victor's adventures make you feel? What was the most exciting part?
Why do you think teamwork was important in Victor's story? Can you share a time when you had to work with others to achieve something?
What would you do if you had Victor's gadgets for a day? How would you use them to help others or solve problems?
If you could invent something like Victor, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about Victor Shmud's adventures. Be enthusiastic and show genuine interest in their ideas. Draw parallels between the story's events and real-life situations to make the discussion relevant. Use positive reinforcement to commend their creativity when they answer what gadgets they’d invent, fostering a supportive environment for imaginative thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Individuality
Explanation: Victor Shmud demonstrates that it’s okay to be different and have unique interests. His confident and quirky persona encourages children to embrace what makes them special.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate their own unique traits and feel confident in expressing themselves in their own distinctive ways.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Throughout the story, Victor encounters challenges but remains determined to solve them, showing resilience and tenacity.
Real-World Application: Children can understand the importance of not giving up easily when faced with difficulties, encouraging them to tackle challenges head-on in school or during play.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Innovation
Explanation: Victor uses his imagination and creativity to navigate through his adventures, demonstrating the value of thinking outside the box.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to use their creativity in problem-solving and to view challenges as opportunities for innovative solutions.
Example Lesson: The Power of Friendship
Explanation: Victor often relies on the support and companionship of his friends. His interactions highlight the importance of teamwork and helping one another.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the significance of building and maintaining friendships, and how collaboration can lead to achieving common goals.
Example Lesson: Joy in Learning
Explanation: Victor's enthusiasm for learning new things is infectious, illustrating that acquiring knowledge can be an enjoyable and fulfilling process.
Real-World Application: This can motivate children to approach learning with a positive attitude, be it in academics or new hobbies.