Mr Dog and the Seal Deal
Mr Dog Series
on Goodreads (48)
What’s inside...
A brand new young fiction series by TV broadcaster and intrepid explorer Ben Fogle, inspired by his real-life animal experiences. Co-written with best-selling children's author Steve Cole and illustrated throughout with beautiful black and white illustrations by Nikolas Ilic.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-7
Length
144 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Mr. Dog learned from his adventure with the seal?
How did Mr. Dog's feelings change throughout the story?
Why is it important to help others, like Mr. Dog helped the seal?
What would you have done if you were in Mr. Dog's place?
How do you think the seal felt when Mr. Dog helped him?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to make the story come alive. Change your voice for different characters and emphasize exciting parts to keep your child engaged.
Encourage your child to describe their favorite part of the book, and ask why they liked it.
Relate the story to your child’s experiences by discussing a time they helped someone or needed help.
Ask your child to draw a picture of their favorite scene or character from the book. This will help them think more deeply about the story and its themes.
After reading, encourage your child to predict what might happen next if the story continued. This helps develop creative thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and kindness
Explanation: In 'Mr Dog and the Seal Deal', Mr. Dog helps a baby seal that has been separated from its mother, demonstrating compassion and understanding towards another creature's distress.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to recognize when someone else is in need and respond with kindness and care, such as helping a friend or a pet in distress.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving and resourcefulness
Explanation: Throughout the adventure, Mr. Dog uses his skills and quick thinking to navigate challenges and find solutions, such as finding ways to help the lost baby seal.
Real-World Application: Kids learn the value of thinking on their feet and using available resources to solve problems they encounter, whether at school or in play.
Example Lesson: Courage and bravery
Explanation: Mr. Dog shows bravery when facing the unknown and potential dangers in order to help someone else, emphasizing the importance of courage in difficult situations.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the importance of facing fears and standing up for what is right, even when it might be scary.
Example Lesson: Importance of teamwork
Explanation: By interacting with other characters in the story, Mr. Dog illustrates how cooperation and teamwork can lead to success, as they work together to reunite the baby seal with its mother.
Real-World Application: Children see the benefits of working with others to achieve common goals, applicable during school projects or family activities.
Example Lesson: Respect for nature and wildlife
Explanation: The narrative places Mr. Dog in a natural setting where he interacts with wildlife, teaching respect for animals and the environment.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be considerate and caring towards the natural world around them, fostering an early sense of environmental responsibility.