Nelican's Lemons
What’s inside...
Nelican is a happy island pelican who discovers a crate of lemons one morning. He attempts to share them with his neighbors, but no one is interested in the bitter fruit. The story follows Nelican as he tries to find a clever solution to make use of the sour lemons. This lively marine life picture book features charming illustrations and rollicking rhymes.
Discussion points
How do you think Nelican felt when she first discovered the lemons?
What are some ways Nelican showed creativity and problem-solving in the story?
Why is it important to help others, like how Nelican helped her friends?
Can you think of a time when you faced a problem like Nelican and how you solved it?
What would you do if you found a lemon tree like Nelican did?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to convey the emotions of Nelican and her friends. This will help your child connect emotionally with the characters. Pause at key moments to ask your child what they think might happen next, fostering prediction skills. Relate the story to your child’s experiences by discussing similar challenges they’ve faced and how they solved them. After reading, encourage your child to draw or act out their favorite part, deepening their connection to the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: In 'Nelican's Lemons', the main character faces challenges when her lemonade stand encounters several obstacles. Despite this, she perseveres and finds creative solutions.
Real-World Application: Children learn that when they face difficulties, whether in school or in friendships, it's important to persist and think creatively to overcome these issues.
Example Lesson: The value of resourcefulness
Explanation: Nelican uses her ingenuity to turn her problems into opportunities, transforming sour lemons into sweet lemonade.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think on their feet and utilize available resources to solve problems, whether it's repurposing materials for school projects or finding new ways to play.
Example Lesson: Importance of hard work and entrepreneurship
Explanation: The story shows Nelican investing effort into her lemonade stand, teaching children about the basics of starting and managing a small business.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this understanding by initiating their mini-projects, like a bake sale or a car wash, learning responsibility and the basics of economics in the process.
Example Lesson: Learning from failure
Explanation: Nelican faces setbacks but uses them to improve her lemonade stand, demonstrating that mistakes are learning opportunities.
Real-World Application: This helps children understand that setbacks are not failures but chances to learn and grow, applicable in their academics and personal growth.
Example Lesson: Community engagement
Explanation: As Nelican interacts with her neighbors and friends through her lemonade stand, it highlights the importance of community involvement.
Real-World Application: Children learn the significance of being active members in their community, which fosters a sense of belonging and contributes to their social development.