Nila's Perfect Coat
not part of a series
What’s inside...
Nila's journey to find the perfect coat leads her through a series of magical adventures, teaching her important lessons about self-discovery and acceptance. Nila and her mom love shopping at the thrift store. But when Nila finds the most perfect, shiny, puffy coat, Mom says Nila's winter coat still fits her just fine. With a lot of determination and some birthday money from Dad, Nila sets out to prove the coat really is perfect--but along the way, learns maybe it's perfect for someone else. Someone who needs both a coat and a friend. An engaging and accessible story about having enough and helping others in need.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think Nila felt it was important to have the perfect coat?
Have you ever wanted something perfect like Nila did? How did that make you feel?
What did Nila learn about perfection and friendship by the end of the story?
How did the other characters help Nila in her search for the perfect coat?
Can you think of a time when you helped a friend like Nila's friends helped her?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, emphasize the emotions Nila experiences to help your child connect with her journey.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next at various points in the book to keep them engaged and thinking ahead.
Relate the themes of the book to your child’s own experiences with desire and disappointment to deepen their understanding.
Encourage your child to think about the meaning of friendship and support, drawing parallels with their own life.
After reading, consider role-playing different scenarios from the book with your child to reinforce the lessons learned.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Nila's Perfect Coat showcases the importance of empathy as Nila shares her coat with peers who feel cold, teaching the reader about understanding and addressing the feelings of others.
Real-World Application: Children can apply empathy in their daily interactions by noticing when their friends or family members are upset or need help, and offering their support or comfort.
Example Lesson: Sharing
Explanation: Through the story, Nila learns the joy and importance of sharing her belongings, which ultimately brings her closer to her friends.
Real-World Application: Kids can practice sharing by taking turns with toys or helping out siblings with their chores, fostering a sense of community and cooperation.
Example Lesson: Creativity
Explanation: Nila uses her imagination to find various fun uses of her coat, promoting creativity both in play and problem-solving.
Real-World Application: Children can embrace their creativity by using their toys and materials in new and inventive ways, which can also enhance their problem-solving skills.
Example Lesson: Confidence
Explanation: As Nila makes decisions on how to use her coat, she grows more confident in her choices, illustrating the development of self-assurance through personal decisions.
Real-World Application: Kids can boost their confidence by making small decisions daily, such as choosing their own clothes or deciding on a book to read, which reinforces their autonomy.