Mariella, Queen of the Skies
What’s inside...
Mariella loves nothing more than inventing, but bedtime keeps interrupting her brilliant ideas. Faced with her parents' refusal to let her stay up, she decides to build a rocket-powered flying suit to travel around the world faster than the setting sun. As she attempts to outsmart sleep, she learns that even the most brilliant minds need rest, and without it, her ideas could fade away. This story is a delightful 'how to live a happy life' tale, filled with humor, warmth, and an inspiring female protagonist.
Age
5-7
Length
96 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Mariella loves most about flying?
How did Mariella overcome the challenges she faced in the story?
If you could invent something like Mariella, what would it be and why?
How do you think Mariella felt when her flying machine finally worked?
What have you learned from Mariella's perseverance and creativity?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing your thoughts on Mariella’s character and her passion for flying. Ask your child how they relate to her ambitions.
Discuss the importance of perseverance as shown by Mariella. Ask your child about a time they faced a challenge and how they overcame it.
Encourage your child’s imagination by asking them to think of their own inventions. Discuss the steps that they would take to bring their ideas to life, just like Mariella.
Point out different emotions Mariella might have felt throughout the book, and ask your child if they have ever felt the same way. This can help in understanding and expressing their own feelings.
Celebrate creativity by planning a ‘create something’ day, inspired by Mariella’s invention, fostering a hands-on approach to learning from the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Pursuing dreams with determination
Explanation: Mariella, the protagonist, dreams of flying and meticulously works on building her own flying machine, showing determination despite challenges.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of setting goals and tirelessly working towards achieving them, whether it's in academics, sports, or personal projects.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving and innovation
Explanation: The book showcases Mariella's creativity in solving problems by designing solutions to make her flying machine work.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think creatively in their own lives, finding innovative solutions to obstacles they face in schoolwork or in social situations.
Example Lesson: Perseverance in the face of failure
Explanation: Mariella experiences several failures before finally succeeding, demonstrating that failure is a stepping stone to success.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand that it's okay to fail and encourages them to keep trying and learning from their mistakes.
Example Lesson: Importance of curiosity and learning
Explanation: Curious about the skies, Mariella engages in self-education to understand aerodynamics and engineering.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to explore and learn about subjects that fascinate them, promoting lifelong learning.
Example Lesson: Independence and self-reliance
Explanation: Throughout the story, Mariella relies on her own skills and knowledge to achieve her dream of flying.
Real-World Application: This can instill a sense of independence in children, motivating them to rely on their abilities and judgement when facing various situations in life.