Listen Up, Louella
What’s inside...
In the picture book Listen Up, Louella, an overly excited elephant named Louella learns the importance of listening with the help of her new friends at Roar Scout Camp. Despite her excitement and involvement in various fun activities, Louella fails to notice that her friends are not enjoying themselves as much as she is. When she misses an important invitation, her friends, including Tarantula, step in to teach her how to listen and play together, leading to an adorably humorous story illustrated by Ashley Belote.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Louella felt when everyone was too busy to listen to her?
What are some ways Louella tried to get attention? Have you ever felt like doing the same?
Why is listening to each other important in a family or among friends?
Can you think of a time when you felt listened to? How did it make you feel?
What could everyone in the story have done differently to understand Louella better?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use empathetic listening when discussing the book with your child, mirroring their emotions and responses to show understanding.
Ask follow-up questions based on your child's responses to encourage deeper thinking and connection to their own experiences.
Relate the themes of the book to real-life situations in your family or your child's interactions with friends to make the conversation relevant.
Praise your child for expressing their thoughts and feelings, reinforcing the importance of open communication.
Share your own experiences where listening made a difference in understanding a situation better, making the conversation a two-way street.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of listening
Explanation: Louella, the main character, learns that paying attention and listening to others can help solve problems and avoid misunderstandings.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by developing the habit of listening before responding, which helps in better understanding others in school and at home.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and cooperation
Explanation: Throughout the story, Louella collaborates with her friends to tackle challenges, showing that working together can yield better results.
Real-World Application: In real-life scenarios, children can use teamwork in group projects or sports, learning that combined efforts often lead to success.
Example Lesson: Valuing different perspectives
Explanation: As Louella interacts with diverse characters, she appreciates different viewpoints, which helps her in her own decision-making process.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to respect and consider various perspectives among peers and adults, enhancing their problem-solving skills and empathy.
Example Lesson: Courage to admit mistakes
Explanation: Louella shows bravery when she admits her mistakes. This pivotal moment teaches the importance of owning up to errors.
Real-World Application: This lesson is valuable for children when they make mistakes, emphasizing that it’s okay to admit errors and learn from them to foster honesty and integrity.
Example Lesson: Importance of asking for help
Explanation: When Louella faces a situation she can't handle alone, she learns to ask for help, illustrating that seeking assistance is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Real-World Application: Children learn that it is beneficial to ask for help when needed, whether academically, socially, or emotionally, which can lead to better outcomes and stress reduction.