Monty and the Poodles
on Goodreads (82)
What’s inside...
Forget Oliver Twist and Annie, Monty the orphan pooch will steal your heart and give you hope for an inclusive world. Monty had never met a poodle before, and Ginger had never met a stray dog before, neither could have guessed what a great friendship theirs could be! Monty is a scruffy, homeless pooch with a taste for fine art, and Ginger is a poodle who doesn’t mind getting her paws a bit dirty. Monty and the poodles long to live together at the warm and cosy Poodle Mansions, but its strict poodles-only policy is rather inconvenient and so these crafty canines decide to create their own home where all are welcome!
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-7
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Monty felt when he first met the poodles?
What do you think the poodles learned about Monty by the end of the story?
Why is it important to not judge others by how they look?
Can you think of a time when you made a new friend who was different from you?
What does this story teach us about friendship and acceptance?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive voices for different characters to make the reading session more lively and entertaining.
Pause after each question to give your child time to think and encourage them to express their thoughts and feelings.
Relate the story to your child’s experiences by discussing times they met someone new or felt misunderstood.
Praise your child for insightful comments or when they make connections to real-life scenarios, reinforcing their critical thinking.
End the discussion with a positive note about diversity and acceptance, emphasizing these values.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Acceptance and Friendship
Explanation: Monty, a street dog, befriends a group of poodles, showing that friendship can transcend social and physical boundaries.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and embrace differences in others, fostering inclusivity and friendship in diverse settings.
Example Lesson: Courage and Resilience
Explanation: Despite initial setbacks and differences, Monty courageously persists in his efforts to connect with the poodles and eventually succeeds.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to persist in the face of challenges and not be deterred by initial failures, building resilience.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The poodles come to understand Monty’s challenges and accept him, which teaches empathy and the importance of understanding different perspectives.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by learning to understand and empathize with the feelings and experiences of their peers.
Example Lesson: Breaking Stereotypes
Explanation: Monty and the poodles defy typical dog stereotypes about social class and appearances, promoting open-mindedness.
Real-World Application: This aids children in challenging societal and cultural stereotypes, encouraging them to form their own unbiased judgments about others.