Link + Hud: Heroes by a Hair
#1 in Link + Hud Series
What’s inside...
Meet Link and Hud, brothers with active imaginations, in the first of a new middle grade series by Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey. The brothers' imaginary adventures cause chaos in their real world, leading their parents to hire a strict babysitter, Ms. Joyce. Link and Hud decide she must go and through a series of escalating events, they conspire to get her fired. Blending prose and graphic novel-style illustrations, the Pumphreys craft a tale of brotherly mischief and mayhem, with black-and-white illustrations throughout.
Discussion points
What do you think makes Link and Hud heroes? How can we be heroes in our own lives?
How did Link and Hud handle challenges in the story? What can we learn from their teamwork?
What were some ways that Link and Hud showed kindness and bravery? Can you think of a time when you did something similar?
If you could have an adventure like Link and Hud, where would you go and what would you do?
How do you think the story would change if you were one of the characters? What would you do differently?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, whether through verbal discussion, drawing, or role-playing.
Draw parallels between the challenges faced by Link and Hud and real-life situations your child may encounter, fostering a deeper connection to the themes.
Praise your child for their insights and ideas during the discussion, reinforcing their confidence and interest in exploring literature further.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next or suggest alternative endings, stimulating their imagination and critical thinking skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: Link and Hud demonstrate how working together can help solve complex problems more effectively than working alone.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of collaborating with others to achieve common goals, which can be applied in group projects at school or in playing team sports.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Innovation
Explanation: Throughout their adventures, Link and Hud often have to think creatively to navigate through challenges, showing that unconventional thinking can lead to success.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions during playtime or in academic tasks.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the Face of Adversity
Explanation: The characters face numerous setbacks but they keep pushing forward, demonstrating resilience.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the value of perseverance and not giving up when facing difficulties, whether it’s in learning new skills or dealing with personal challenges.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: Link and Hud encounter various characters with different backgrounds and perspectives, learning to understand and empathize with them.
Real-World Application: Children learn to be considerate and understand people's differences, which is crucial in forming healthy relationships.
Example Lesson: Morality and Ethics
Explanation: The heroes often face moral dilemmas, choosing what is right over what is easy, which highlights the importance of integrity.
Real-World Application: Instills moral values in children, helping them differentiate right from wrong in their everyday interactions.