Marigold and the Dark (Seadogs Series)
#1 in Seadogs Series
on Goodreads (20)
What’s inside...
'Marigold and the Dark' is a picture book that follows Marigold, who has been living with the Sandburrow family in Foamy Bay for over a year. Despite feeling comfortable with her new family, Marigold struggles with a fear of the dark. This fear leads her on an adventure where she meets the peculiar Mr. Many Coats and encounters other mysterious occurrences, including Sea Gem the pup's inexplicable knowledge of future events. This story is the second installment in a series exploring the lives of the Sandburrow family and their friends.
Discussion points
What do you think Marigold feels when she's on her adventure? Can you relate to any of her feelings?
How do the other characters help Marigold on her journey? What does this teach us about friendship and teamwork?
If you were Marigold, what would you do differently on the adventure? Why?
What is the importance of the Dark in the story, and what does it represent?
Can you think of a time when you were brave like Marigold? What happened?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, relating it to their own experiences.
Discuss the significance of teamwork and ask your child about times they've worked with others to achieve a goal.
Explore the theme of courage by sharing personal stories where you or someone you know faced fears.
Use the book’s illustrations to deepen the discussion, asking your child what they notice and how it adds to the story.
Reinforce the story’s lessons by connecting them to real-life situations your child might encounter.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Cooperation
Explanation: In Marigold and the Dark, the seadogs work together to navigate through challenges, demonstrating the importance of teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to collaborate with others at school on projects or in sports, understanding that teamwork often leads to better results.
Example Lesson: Courage and Facing Fears
Explanation: Marigold confronts fearsome situations bravely, showing kids that courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to face their own fears, such as trying out for a new activity or standing up against a bully at school.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Throughout the story, Marigold and her crew solve problems creatively, which emphasizes the importance of thinking critically and outside the box.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by using creative thinking in their daily challenges, be it in academic tasks or personal obstacles.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: Marigold shows empathy towards characters who are different or misunderstood, teaching the value of understanding others.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children develop empathy towards classmates and friends, fostering a more inclusive environment.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Despite setbacks, Marigold perseveres and continues her journey, illustrating the importance of resilience.
Real-World Application: Kids learn the significance of not giving up easily in their pursuits, whether they are learning a new skill or working through a difficult subject in school.