Mochi and the Moon
What’s inside...
Luna has always dreamed of having her own puppy, and her wish is fulfilled when she gets Mochi, a fluffy Shiba Inu. The two are inseparable until a storm separates them during a walk. Mochi gets lost, meets new friends, and finds her way home with their help. This heartwarming story, written by Mario S. Banko and set in Switzerland, features 40 pages of colorful illustrations and is based on true events, as Mochi is a real dog.
Discussion points
How do you think Mochi felt when he first saw the moon? Can you describe a time you saw something amazing for the first time?
What do you think the moon symbolizes in Mochi’s adventure? What does the moon mean to you?
Mochi faces challenges on his journey to the moon. What are some challenges you've faced and how did you overcome them?
How did Mochi's friends help him in his quest? Why is teamwork important?
If you could go on an adventure like Mochi, where would you go and what would you want to discover?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about Mochi's journey, emphasizing that there are no right or wrong answers in discussions about personal interpretations of stories.
Relate the themes of the book to your child’s experiences, such as teamwork, curiosity, and overcoming obstacles, to make the discussion more personal and impactful.
Ask follow-up questions based on your child's responses to encourage deeper thinking and conversation.
Create a comfortable and distraction-free environment to enhance focus and engagement during your discussion.
Celebrate creative answers and ideas. This reinforces the child’s confidence in expressing their thoughts and contributes to a more dynamic conversation.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: In 'Mochi and the Moon', Mochi the rabbit faces challenges in reaching the moon but continues trying despite setbacks.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of persisting through difficulties in order to achieve their goals, teaching them resilience.
Example Lesson: Friendship
Explanation: Throughout Mochi’s journey, he receives help and encouragement from other forest creatures, emphasizing the value of supportive friendships.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to value and nurture friendships, learning how to offer and receive support among peers.
Example Lesson: Creativity
Explanation: Mochi uses inventive methods to try to reach the moon, showing that thinking outside the box can help solve problems.
Real-World Application: This inspires children to use their imagination to overcome obstacles, fostering creative problem-solving skills.
Example Lesson: Courage
Explanation: Mochi shows bravery in pursuing a seemingly impossible dream, teaching children the courage to chase their own dreams.
Real-World Application: Children learn to face fears and take risks, crucial for personal growth and achieving significant milestones.
Example Lesson: Cooperation
Explanation: Mochi's interactions with others illustrate the benefits of working together to overcome challenges.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of teamwork and how cooperative efforts can lead to success.