Mike Falls Up
Colour Fiction Series
What’s inside...
A range of simple stories for new readers, with beautiful colour illustrations. Mike and his dog Bowow are relaxing in the Chocolate Hills when the ground starts to tremble and the next moment a gaping hole appears. Before Mike can stop him, Bowow jumps into the hole. Then a note floats up...Party.Come now.Just fall up.There's no time to wonder what it means - Mike jumps in and falls into the most topsy-turvy of adventures. A joyous story celebrating the power of unexpected friendships by award-winning author Candy Gourlay, beautifully brought to life with stunning illustrations by Carles Ballesteros.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
96 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Mike felt when he kept falling upwards? How would you feel in his situation?
Why do you think gravity stopped working just for Mike? What would you do if you were in a place without gravity?
What are some ways Mike tried to solve his problem? Can you think of any other solutions?
How did Mike's friends and family react to his situation? How do you think your friends and family would react if this happened to you?
What's the most important thing Mike learned from his adventure? What did you learn from this story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Utilize open-ended questions that encourage your child to think critically about the story and relate it to their own experiences.
Discuss the feelings and reactions of the characters, asking your child how they would feel or react in similar situations, enhancing empathy and emotional understanding.
Explore the problem-solving aspect of the story. Encourage your child to come up with alternative solutions, boosting their creativity and analytical skills.
Reflect on the lessons learned by the characters. Ask your child what they learned from the story, and how these lessons can be applied to their own life, emphasizing the educational value of the book.
Encourage your child to imagine new adventures for Mike or other characters, fostering a sense of creativity and extended engagement with the book's themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Uniqueness
Explanation: In 'Mike Falls Up', Mike's ability to float instead of walk is initially seen as a hurdle, but eventually, it becomes his unique strength.
Real-World Application: Children will understand the importance of embracing their differences and turning them into strengths in their daily interactions and personal development.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Throughout the book, Mike faces challenges due to his unique condition but he continues to try and adapt, showing resilience.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the value of persistence in overcoming difficulties they encounter at school or in social settings.
Example Lesson: Importance of Friendship
Explanation: Mike relies on his friends to help him manage his floating ability which highlights the power of supportive friendships.
Real-World Application: Children learn the significance of building and maintaining supportive friendships and helping each other in times of need.
Example Lesson: Innovation through problem-solving
Explanation: Mike and his friends create inventive solutions to help him stay grounded, demonstrating the value of creative problem-solving.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to think creatively when faced with problems and to appreciate the role of innovation in everyday life.
Example Lesson: Acceptance
Explanation: As the storyline progresses, the community learns to accept Mike's floating ability, which showcases the theme of societal acceptance.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of inclusivity and accepting others' differences in their community and school environments.