Mice of the Herring Bone
#1 in Mice Of The Herring Bone Series
on Goodreads (130)
What’s inside...
After stowing away on a pirate ship manned by nasty sea dogs, mice Charles and Oliver become involved in their plot to attack a ship of cats and steal a load of sunken treasure belonging to the Queen of England.
Discussion points
What do you think made Charles and Oliver brave enough to face the pirates?
How did the friendship between Charles and Oliver help them in their adventure?
What would you do if you were in Charles and Oliver's place during their encounter with the pirates?
How do you think the story would change if there were no pirates involved?
What lessons did you learn from the adventures of Charles and Oliver?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in Charles and Oliver's shoes, discussing how they would feel and react in similar situations.
Discuss the importance of teamwork and friendship as demonstrated by Charles and Oliver, highlighting real-life examples from the child’s experiences.
Explore the moral lessons of the story together, asking how these lessons could be applied in everyday life.
After reading, ask your child to draw their favorite scene or character from the book, then let them explain why they made that choice.
Encourage your child to predict what might happen next if the book had a sequel, fostering creative thinking and narrative skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The mice characters, Charles and Oliver, must work together with a dog, Barnabus, to outsmart the pirate cats. Their collaborative efforts are crucial for their survival and success.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of cooperating with others to achieve common goals, which is vital in school projects, sports teams, and family activities.
Example Lesson: Courage and Bravery
Explanation: Despite being small and seemingly insignificant, Charles and Oliver demonstrate bravery when facing the pirate cats. They take bold actions that are bigger than their fears.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to face their fears and stand up for what is right, even in daunting situations, whether it's speaking up against a bully or trying something new.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Throughout the story, the mice are faced with challenges that they need to solve, such as escaping traps and devising plans to thwart the pirates' schemes.
Real-World Application: Children learn that thinking creatively and critically can help navigate obstacles and solve problems in school and in everyday life.
Example Lesson: The Value of Humor
Explanation: The book uses humor as a way to cope with scary or tense situations, showing how laughter can ease tensions and bring joy even in tough times.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to use humor as a healthy way to deal with their own stress and anxiety, and to bring positivity to challenging circumstances.