Maisie Comes to Morningside
Maisie Mackenzie Series
on Goodreads (19)
What’s inside...
For as long as she could remember, Maisie MacKenzie had lived on a farm with her father. But when he went exploring, Maisie went to stay with her grannie in Morningside. She was disappointed until she found that city life has its own attractions. Maisie, is the best kitten in the world. Maisie MacKenzie, who lives with her granny in Morningside (Edinburgh) while her Daddy explores the world, gets up to all sorts of adventures with her friends Archie, Flora and Little Effie.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Maisie
Maisie Mackenzie
Discussion points
What do you think Maisie learned on her adventure in Morningside?
How did Maisie feel when she met new friends and how do you feel when you meet new friends?
What would you do if you were in Maisie's place during her trip?
Why is it important to help others, like Maisie helped her friends in the book?
If you could create your own adventure for Maisie, what would it be?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate their own experiences to Maisie’s adventures, enhancing personal connections with the story.
Ask your child how they feel about the characters’ decisions, fostering emotional intelligence and empathy.
Discuss the outcomes of helping others as seen in the book to instill values of kindness and cooperation.
Invite your child to imagine their own ending or continuation of the story, promoting creativity and narrative skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Change
Explanation: Maisie, the adventurous cat, moves to a new place called Morningside and learns to adapt to her new surroundings. She explores her neighborhood, makes new friends, and embraces the change with curiosity and excitement.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to view changes in their life, such as moving to a new school or home, with positivity and openness, understanding that new experiences bring opportunities for growth and new friendships.
Example Lesson: Importance of Friendship
Explanation: Throughout the book, Maisie builds relationships with various characters, illustrating the importance of friendship and social interaction.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to value their friendships, be kind to others, and understand the role of supportive relationships in overcoming challenges.
Example Lesson: Courage and Adventure
Explanation: Despite the initial uncertainties, Maisie courageously explores Morningside, trying out new things and embarking on little adventures which show her bravery.
Real-World Application: Children are motivated to step out of their comfort zones, try new activities, and courageously face new situations, helping them grow both personally and socially.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: In the story, Maisie encounters various challenges and learns to solve them creatively, demonstrating critical thinking and resourcefulness.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to think critically and creatively when faced with problems, enhancing their problem-solving skills in real-life scenarios.
Example Lesson: Cultural Awareness
Explanation: As Maisie explores Morningside, she experiences various aspects of the local culture, promoting an understanding and appreciation of different cultural elements.
Real-World Application: This helps children to recognize and appreciate diversity, fostering a sense of cultural awareness and empathy towards others from different backgrounds.