Listen, Buddy
Laugh-Along Lessons Series
What’s inside...
Buddy's father had a beautiful big nose and was a great sniffer, while his mother had beautiful big teeth and was a great chomper. Buddy, however, had beautiful big ears but it didn't matter. Helen Lester and Lynn Munsinger, who have created eight children's books together, bring another silly tale about Buddy, a bunny who struggles with listening. The book features Munsinger's unparalleled animal characters and Lester's hysterical text, along with bonus audio.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think it is important for Buddy to listen carefully?
How did Buddy’s actions change once he started to listen?
What do you think would happen if Buddy never learned to listen?
How do you feel when someone isn’t listening to you?
Can you think of a time when listening helped you solve a problem?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to reflect on their own listening skills and share personal experiences where listening played a key role.
Discuss the consequences of Buddy’s actions in the story and relate them to real-life scenarios to make the message relatable.
Praise your child for insightful answers or when they make connections to their own lives, fostering a positive discussion atmosphere.
Link the theme of listening to empathy by asking how they think Buddy felt during different parts of the story.
Utilize pauses after reading segments of the book to ask predictive questions, enhancing focus and engagement.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of listening
Explanation: Buddy, the main character, faces challenges due to his poor listening skills, causing confusion and problems throughout the story.
Real-World Application: Children learn to focus and pay attention when others speak, which enhances their ability to follow instructions and avoids misunderstandings in school or at home.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: Buddy ultimately has to find a way to overcome his listening issues to avoid danger, showcasing the importance of addressing and solving problems.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think critically and seek solutions in difficult situations rather than avoiding them.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Through the story, Buddy learns the impact his actions have on others, promoting an understanding of empathy.
Real-World Application: Children are taught to consider others' feelings and perspectives, improving their interpersonal relationships and social interactions.
Example Lesson: The consequences of negligence
Explanation: Buddy's failures to listen lead to a series of mishaps, illustrating how negligence can lead to negative outcomes.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the importance of being responsible and attentive in their actions to prevent avoidable problems.
Example Lesson: Patience
Explanation: Buddy’s parents and friends show great patience, which ultimately helps him realize his mistakes and improve.
Real-World Application: This underscores the value of patience both towards oneself and others, encouraging children to practice it in their daily interactions.