Miserable Stew: What's Cooking, Arlo?
Arlo'S Culinary Adventures Series
on Goodreads (1)
What’s inside...
In 'Miserable Stew: What's Cooking, Arlo?' by Kimberly Gee, young readers follow the imaginative Arlo as he finds himself in a whimsical kitchen adventure. When Arlo’s attempt at cooking turns into a flop, he learns to navigate the ups and downs of trying something new. This delightful tale addresses resilience and the joy of cooking, encouraging children to explore creativity in everyday tasks. Alongside colorful illustrations, the story reinforces the importance of persistence and a positive attitude in learning new skills. Arlo's day goes from bad to worse when his cozy stew doesn't turn out right. Luckily, Alice, Slide, and Spike quickly realize their kind-hearted friend could use a dash of kindness from them. Can Arlo's friends find a way to help Arlo feel better about his miserable stew? Find out in this early graphic novel that will warm young readers' hearts with a perfect recipe for friendship and fun.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-7
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think made Arlo feel better by the end of the story?
If you were Arlo, what would you have cooked in your stew?
How do you think the other characters felt about what Arlo was cooking?
Why is it important to share our feelings, like Arlo did?
What would you do if you felt like Arlo did at the beginning of the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book, relating them to their own experiences. Ask them to imagine alternative endings or scenarios to enhance their creative thinking. Discuss the importance of emotions and how expressing them can affect oneself and others, fostering emotional intelligence. Use the story's context to introduce the concept of empathy by asking how they would feel in Arlo’s shoes or any other character’s. Reinforce the value of sharing feelings and solving problems together, which can be applied in real-life situations.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Teamwork
Explanation: Arlo learns to collaborate with his friends to make a stew, showcasing how working together can achieve great results.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by engaging in group activities at school or in sports, learning to cooperate and value each other’s input to reach a common goal.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Problem Solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, Arlo encounters various challenges in his cooking process but uses his creativity to overcome them.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think creatively in their daily tasks and challenges, whether it’s in their playtime or homework.
Example Lesson: Persistence
Explanation: Arlo faces setbacks while cooking but remains determined and keeps trying until he succeeds, demonstrating resilience.
Real-World Application: Kids can mirror this persistence in any of their activities, understanding that not giving up despite difficulties is key to success.
Example Lesson: Healthy Eating
Explanation: The book subtly promotes the benefits of including a variety of healthy ingredients in meals through Arlo’s stew.
Real-World Application: Children learn about nutrition and can be motivated to try new, healthy foods in their own meals.