Look Up, Look Down
What’s inside...
An engaging story that portrays a friendship between a young child and a curious squirrel. Their daily adventures in the park bring them to appreciate the little details of nature and learn valuable life lessons. This title is part of Bug Club, the first whole-school reading programme that joins books with an online reading world to teach today's children to read. In this Pink-A level Daisy and Zac, Zac is always looking up and spotting things in the sky, while Daisy is always looking down and seeing things on the ground. Both of them are so distracted that neither sees the other until they bump into each other at the end of the story!
Age
4-6
Length
8 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the characters felt when they looked up at the sky and down at the ground? Can you describe those feelings?
If you could meet any character from the story, who would it be and what would you ask them?
What are some differences between what the characters see when they look up versus when they look down?
How do you think the view from above is different from the view from below in our world?
Can you imagine a new adventure for the characters based on the places they explored in the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to describe what they imagine when they look up at the sky and down at the ground, fostering creativity and observation skills.
Discuss the emotions and perspectives of different characters, enhancing empathy and understanding.
Ask your child to draw a picture of their favorite scene from the book, promoting artistic expression and memory recall.
Play a game of 'I Spy' inspired by the book, where you and your child take turns describing things you see around you from different perspectives.
Relate the story to personal experiences by sharing a time when you discovered something new by looking at it from a different angle.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Exploration
Explanation: The story encourages children to be curious about the world around them by showcasing characters who explore their surroundings both upwards and downwards.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by engaging in activities that involve observing and exploring their environment, such as nature walks or scavenger hunts.
Example Lesson: Importance of Different Perspectives
Explanation: The book illustrates how looking at things from different angles can reveal new insights and details that might otherwise be missed.
Real-World Application: This can be used in a child’s everyday life by encouraging them to consider other people's viewpoints or to approach problems and challenges from various angles.
Example Lesson: Appreciation of Nature
Explanation: Through its narrative, the book promotes an appreciation for the natural world, highlighting both the beauty and diversity of environments encountered when looking up and down.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value and respect nature, fostering behaviors like recycling, conservation, and enjoying outdoor activities responsibly.
Example Lesson: Observation Skills
Explanation: The characters’ detailed observations while looking in different directions help children understand the value of paying close attention to details.
Real-World Application: Kids can hone observation skills in everyday life by participating in games and activities that require careful noticing and attention to detail, such as 'I Spy' or puzzle solving.