Monster Baker
What’s inside...
In this punny picture book with bright and colorful illustrations, an adorable monster named Tillie learns about determination through a series of baking disasters. As she attempts to bake a birthday cake for her Grandmonster's 247th birthday, Tillie faces challenges, including her Uncle Hairy eating her first cake. Despite multiple attempts and setbacks, Tillie learns that with patience, care, and determination, she can achieve anything. The book also includes a recipe for Tillie's favorite Chocolate Cherry Scaries, adding a fun interactive element for readers.
Discussion points
What do you think the Monster Baker feels when he's baking?
If you were to create your own monster pastry, what ingredients would you use and why?
How did the Monster Baker react to mistakes? What can we learn from it?
Why do you think the other characters enjoyed the Monster Baker’s pastries?
What does this story teach us about friendship and helping others?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use descriptive language from the book to help visualize the scenes, making the reading experience more vivid and engaging.
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, reinforcing their emotional understanding.
Ask your child to guess what might happen next at various points in the book to develop their predictive and analytical skills.
Relate the themes of the book to your child’s experiences, such as times they tried something new or helped a friend, to deepen their personal connection to the story.
Emphasize the moral lessons in the story, such as resilience and creativity, to enhance the educational value of your discussion.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: In 'Monster Baker', the characters work together to bake a cake, showing how collaboration leads to success.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by engaging in group activities at school or in sports, learning that working with others can lead to better outcomes.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Innovation
Explanation: The story encourages using imagination in baking, as the characters come up with unique recipes. This highlights creativity as a valuable skill.
Real-World Application: Kids can be encouraged to try out their own creative ideas during art projects or while solving problems, fostering innovation from a young age.
Example Lesson: Following Instructions
Explanation: As the characters in the book follow a recipe, it shows the importance of following steps to achieve a goal.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand the value of following instructions in school assignments, household tasks, or when learning new skills.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: When things don't go as planned in the kitchen, the monster friends solve problems together, showcasing critical thinking.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to remain calm and think of solutions when they face challenges in daily activities or in academic settings.
Example Lesson: Respect for Differences
Explanation: The book features a diverse group of monster characters who respect each other's different tastes and ideas, promoting inclusivity.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate diversity in their classrooms and communities, understanding that everyone's unique qualities contribute positively to group dynamics.