Myrtle
on Goodreads (27)
What’s inside...
With the help of their Aunt Tizzy, Myrtle and her baby brother learn how to deal with a mean neighbor named Frances. Aunt Tizzy, fresh from an African safari, shares valuable pointers with Myrtle on how to foil a bully's tactics. After Frances moves next door and makes it her mission to keep Myrtle miserable through mean signs, songs, and comments, Myrtle becomes afraid to play outside. But with Aunt Tizzy's guidance, learned from keeping lions at bay, Myrtle gains the confidence to stand up to Frances. The story, paired with exuberant illustrations, resonates with any child who has faced a similar situation.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Myrtle felt when she embarked on her adventure?
How did Myrtle’s choices affect the other characters in the story?
If you were Myrtle, what would you have done differently on her journey?
What lessons can we learn from Myrtle’s experiences?
Why is it important to Myrtle that she completes her journey?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive read-aloud techniques to bring the story to life and make the emotional journey of Myrtle more relatable.
Pause at key moments in the story to ask your child how they predict the story will unfold, fostering their analytical and predictive skills.
After reading, connect the themes of the book to your child’s own experiences, asking them to relate personal events where they faced challenges like Myrtle.
Encourage empathy by discussing the emotional responses of Myrtle and other characters, guiding your child to understand different perspectives.
Highlight the problem-solving aspects of the story and brainstorm with your child other possible solutions to the challenges Myrtle faces.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: In 'Myrtle', the main character learns to understand and share the feelings of another character who is different from her.
Real-World Application: Children can use this understanding to better relate to classmates and friends who may come from different backgrounds or have different experiences.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Myrtle faces various challenges but learns to overcome them through persistence and determination.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the importance of not giving up when faced with difficulties, whether it's in their studies, sports, or personal challenges.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The story shows how Myrtle collaborates with others to achieve a common goal, highlighting the power of working together.
Real-World Application: Children learn that teamwork can lead to success in group projects at school, sports teams, and family activities.
Example Lesson: Respect for Nature
Explanation: Myrtle’s adventures involve interactions with nature, teaching her to respect and appreciate the natural world.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be conscious of the environment, promoting activities like recycling, conserving water, or planting trees.
Example Lesson: Creativity
Explanation: The book celebrates creative solutions to problems, encouraging children to think outside the box.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to apply creative thinking in their play, schoolwork, and in expressing themselves through arts or crafts.