Mr. Lunch Borrows a Canoe
#2 in Mr. Lunch Series
What’s inside...
When Mr. Lunch, a skilled bird-chasing dog, goes canoeing and unexpectedly encounters a bear, he frantically paddles with such speed and determination that he finds himself all the way in Venice. After borrowing a canoe from a large elephant, Mr. Lunch, the professional canine bird chaser, sets off on an exciting adventure into a strange city in which all the roads are canals, all the cars are boats, and all the pigeons have settled in one place.
Character compass
Mr. Lunch
Discussion points
Why do you think Mr. Lunch wanted to borrow a canoe?
How did the different characters in the story help Mr. Lunch on his adventure?
What would you have done if you were in Mr. Lunch's situation?
How do you think Mr. Lunch felt during his adventure?
What lessons can we learn from Mr. Lunch’s experience?
Tip: Role play these questions
Utilize expressive storytelling, changing your tone and pace to match the exciting parts of Mr. Lunch's adventure.
After reading, ask your child which character they liked best and why, to guide them in understanding character traits.
Encourage your child to describe their favorite part of the book and discuss why it stood out to them, helping develop their analytical thinking.
Relate the story to your child’s own experiences, such as a time they tried something new or helped a friend, to deepen their connection to the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Problem-solving and resourcefulness
Explanation: Mr. Lunch shows exceptional problem-solving skills when he borrows a canoe to pursue seagulls that have taken his lunch. By using the resources available to him creatively, he addresses his problem directly.
Real-World Application: Children learn to think on their feet and use their surroundings to solve problems, whether it's figuring out how to retrieve a ball from a roof or finding a way to share toys effectively.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Mr. Lunch borrows the canoe to solve his problem but the story underlines the importance of using borrowed items carefully and returning them. This reflects how Mr. Lunch fulfills his obligations.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of taking good care of borrowed items, whether they are toys from friends or books from the library, and ensures they understand the value of returning them in good condition.
Example Lesson: Adventurousness and curiosity
Explanation: The protagonist’s venture out in a canoe to follow the seagulls illustrates a zest for adventure and curiosity about the world.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to explore new activities and learn from their surroundings, promoting a healthy sense of adventure and curiosity.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: Throughout his adventure, Mr. Lunch experiences various outcomes based on his decisions, teaching children that actions have consequences.
Real-World Application: This helps children understand that their decisions lead to outcomes that affect them and others, reinforcing the concept of thinking before acting.
Example Lesson: Creative thinking
Explanation: Mr. Lunch's use of a canoe to solve his immediate problem portrays innovative thinking outside conventional methods.
Real-World Application: Inspires children to think creatively in their daily challenges, encouraging them to find unique solutions to problems.