Miss Twiggley's Tree
on Goodreads (613)
What’s inside...
Miss Twiggley lived in a tree and had peculiar habits such as sending her dog to do shopping and avoiding visitors. She was rumored to be friends with bears and to sleep in her hat, which the town disapproved of. However, when a hurricane hit and caused a flood, the townspeople sought refuge in Miss Twiggley's tree. Through this experience, Miss Twiggley learned an important lesson and the story concludes with a warm and happy ending. The book is a touching read-aloud that highlights the importance of coming together during a crisis.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-7
Length
44 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think Miss Twiggley chose to live in a tree and how would you feel if you lived there?
How did the townspeople’s attitude towards Miss Twiggley change throughout the story, and why do you think it changed?
What does Miss Twiggley's friendship with the bears teach us about making friends with someone different from us?
How did the storm affect everyone in the town and why was Miss Twiggley’s treehouse important for the community during this time?
Can you think of a time when you helped someone or someone helped you in a surprising way?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to bring the characters to life, changing your tone and pitch with different dialogues to capture interest.
Encourage your child to imagine the scenes by asking them to describe what Miss Twiggley’s treehouse might look like inside.
After discussing the questions, relate them to real-life scenarios that your child might encounter, reinforcing the book’s messages.
Discuss the illustrations and ask how they help to tell the story, prompting your child to pay attention to visual details and their significance.
Highlight the themes of kindness and community support by sharing examples from your own experiences.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of kindness
Explanation: Miss Twiggley and her dog live in a tree and often keep to themselves, but when a storm hits, they open their home to help others in need.
Real-World Application: Children learn that extending kindness to others, even in small ways, can make a significant difference in someone's life.
Example Lesson: Value of accepting differences
Explanation: Miss Twiggley is perceived as strange by townspeople because she lives in a tree. Throughout the story, her unique lifestyle shows that being different is not only acceptable but can be advantageous during emergencies.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to embrace and celebrate individual differences among peers, fostering a more inclusive attitude.
Example Lesson: Benefit of community support
Explanation: During the flood, the entire community finds refuge in Miss Twiggley’s tree house. This act of collective support highlights the strength and safety in community cooperation.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of supporting and relying on each other, creating a sense of community and teamwork in real-life situations.