Nasty Little Beasts: Cautionary Tales for Lovers of Squeam! Book 1 (Grizzly Tales)
#1 in Grizzly Tales Series
on Goodreads (33)
What’s inside...
Grizzliness is out there. Every child has the makings of mischievousness, and can be lured into committing dastardly deeds. The six stories in each of the Grizzly Tales books show the rise and hard fall of vile and villainous children. In this book, unspeakable things happen to pets, but the real nasty little beasts are the children themselves, all of them get their comeuppance in the end, consigned to the Hothell Darkness. Read by Rupert Degas.
Discussion points
How did the stories in 'Nasty Little Beasts' make you feel? Were there any characters you could relate to?
What do you think the main message of each tale was? How do these messages help us in real life?
Which cautionary tale was your favorite and why?
How do the consequences faced by the characters influence their behavior? Can we apply these lessons to our situations?
If you could change the ending of any story in the book, which one would it be and what would you change?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, express your own thoughts and feelings about the tales to create an open environment for your child to share.
Ask your child to draw their favorite scene or character, then discuss why they made those choices.
Encourage your child to think about what they would do differently if faced with similar situations as the characters.
Make connections between the book and real-life scenarios, helping your child understand the relevance of the tales.
Praise your child’s insights and perspectives during the discussion to boost their confidence in expressing their thoughts.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of honesty
Explanation: In the stories, characters who lie or deceive others often face grim consequences, teaching children the value of truthfulness.
Real-World Application: Children learn that being honest helps build trust and positive relationships in their daily interactions at school and at home.
Example Lesson: The consequences of greed
Explanation: Characters in the book who act out of greed find themselves in less than favorable situations, which illustrates the pitfalls of being overly self-serving.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand the value of generosity and the importance of considering others' needs alongside their own.
Example Lesson: Respecting differences
Explanation: The tales often feature characters from diverse backgrounds facing challenges, highlighting the importance of acceptance and empathy.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to embrace diversity and act kindly towards all peers, regardless of differences.
Example Lesson: Taking responsibility for one’s actions
Explanation: Characters who shirk responsibility or blame others for their mistakes usually learn hard lessons, underscoring the importance of owning up to one’s actions.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by acknowledging their mistakes and learning from them, rather than blaming others.
Example Lesson: The power of clever thinking
Explanation: Some stories reward characters who use their wit and intelligence to solve problems, demonstrating the effectiveness of smart decision-making.
Real-World Application: This lesson can inspire children to think creatively and solve problems they encounter in school or with friends.