Miss Rita, Mystery Reader
What’s inside...
In Sam Donovan, Kristen Wixted & Violet Tobacco's heartwarming picture book Miss Rita, Mystery Reader, Tori is excited to have her father, who has a drag queen alter ego named Miss Rita, be the Mystery Reader at her school. As they prepare for the school story time, Tori helps her father transform into Miss Rita, making sure every detail sparkles. Though Tori loves Miss Rita, she worries whether her classmates will feel the same. Fortunately, a clever idea helps ensure that the story time is a success for everyone, promoting themes of self-acceptance, the joy of reading, and the importance of letting one's sparkle shine. The book also includes educational material about drag performance.
Age
3-6
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Miss Rita’s secret was and how did it make you feel when it was revealed?
How do you think the characters in the story felt when Miss Rita came to read?
Why is it important to listen to stories from different people? What can we learn from them?
Can you think of a time when you discovered something unexpected about someone, like the kids did with Miss Rita?
What would you read to the class if you were the mystery reader?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading: Vary your tone and pace while reading to mimic the excitement and mystery in the story, making the reading session interactive and lively.
Relate to personal experiences: Ask your child if they have ever had a mystery reader in their class, or if they have ever been surprised by learning something new about someone they know.
Discuss the themes: Talk about the importance of diversity and learning from everyone’s unique experiences as portrayed through different characters in the book.
Encourage empathy: Discuss how the characters might have felt during different parts of the story and why empathy is important in understanding others’ feelings and actions.
Imagine and Create: Encourage your child to imagine their own version of a mystery reader day. Ask them who they would invite and what book they would choose to be read.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of curiosity
Explanation: In 'Miss Rita, Mystery Reader,' the protagonist's curiosity leads her to discover new stories, solve puzzles, and learn about different cultures.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to ask questions and explore the world around them, fostering a lifelong love for learning and problem-solving.
Example Lesson: Value of diverse cultures
Explanation: Miss Rita introduces stories from various cultures, showing how they reflect universal values, even amidst their uniqueness.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to appreciate and respect cultural diversity, promoting inclusivity in their everyday interactions with peers from different backgrounds.
Example Lesson: The joy of reading
Explanation: The excitement and engagement of the classroom as Miss Rita reads different books captivates the students and highlights the pleasure of being immersed in a good story.
Real-World Application: Inspires children to see reading as a fun and rewarding activity, which can improve their literacy skills and spark their imagination.
Example Lesson: Developing listening skills
Explanation: As the children listen to Miss Rita, they learn to pay attention, focus, and comprehend verbal information effectively.
Real-World Application: These skills are crucial for academic success and can be practiced in school settings or during family reading times.
Example Lesson: Encouraging empathy
Explanation: Through the stories read by Miss Rita, children encounter characters in different situations, which helps them understand and empathize with others' feelings and perspectives.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this understanding in real-life by being more considerate and empathetic towards their friends and family members.