Marsha Is Magnetic
What’s inside...
It turns out that the best way to 'attract' friends to invite to your birthday is by being yourself in this sweet, STEAM-minded picture book from New York Times best-selling author Beth Ferry. Marsha's birthday is coming up, and she needs to make some friends to invite to her party. She's a little stumped...but a scientist knows how to solve problems: the scientific method! With equal parts creativity, determination, and humor, Marsha sets out to attract as many friends as she can for her birthday bash—what could possibly go wrong? In this hilarious celebration of birthdays, friendship, and ingenuity, Beth Ferry and Lorena Alvarez show readers that the best way to attract friends is to simply be yourself.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Marsha felt when she discovered she could attract things? Can you think of a time when you discovered something new about yourself?
What are some ways Marsha used her magnetic power to help others? What would you do if you had the same power?
Marsha learned a lot about friendship in the story. What do you think makes a good friend?
How did Marsha’s friends react to her magnetic ability? How important is it to have supportive friends?
What was your favorite part of the book and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Show genuine interest in your child’s responses to foster a deeper discussion. Nodding and maintaining eye contact can make them feel heard and valued.
Relate the themes of the book to your child’s life by asking them to compare their personal experiences with those of Marsha.
Encourage your child to not only answer the questions but to ask their own questions about the story which can lead to an explorative dialogue about the themes.
Praise your child for their thoughts and insights to bolster their confidence and engagement with reading and discussing books.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The power of curiosity and exploration
Explanation: Marsha, the protagonist, uses her magnetic personality to explore the world around her, trying new things and collecting trinkets along the way.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to be curious and to explore their environments, learning through hands-on experience and discovering new interests.
Example Lesson: The importance of resilience
Explanation: Throughout the story, Marsha faces challenges but she uses her unique qualities to overcome them, demonstrating resilience.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to persist in the face of difficulties, using their personal strengths and creativity to find solutions.
Example Lesson: Understanding and valuing diversity
Explanation: Marsha's journey brings her into contact with a variety of characters, each different and unique in their own way.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate the differences in the people around them, understanding that everyone has something valuable to offer.
Example Lesson: Building friendships
Explanation: Throughout her adventures, Marsha learns to make and maintain friendships, understanding the give-and-take involved.
Real-World Application: This lesson emphasizes the importance of social skills and how to nurture relationships, which is crucial in a child's social development.