Norbert's Spooky Night (Norbert series)
#5 of 7 in Norbert Series
What’s inside...
Norbert the horse is back with a special spooky adventure for Halloween! As the skies begin to darken, poor old Norbert is well and truly spooked at the thought of spending Halloween night out in the open. Convinced that, come nightfall, his field will be crawling with ghosts, ghouls, witches, and vampires, he sets out with his friends, Colin the cuckoo and Delilah, the pretty pony from the next field, to find somewhere safe to spend the night. Little do they know that they are embarking on a hair-raising adventure which will lead them to the most terrifying place of all... the home of Norbert's owner, grumpy old Farmer Finbar! How will Norbert, Colin, and Delilah survive the scariest night of the year? A funny, comic caper for young readers - The FIFTH book in the Norbert the Horse series!
Discussion points
What do you think Norbert felt when he first heard the spooky sounds?
How did Norbert's friends help him during his spooky adventure?
Why is it important to help friends when they are scared?
What would you have done if you were in Norbert's place?
How did the story change the way you think about being brave?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story. Validate their emotions and share your own experiences with fear to create a deeper connection. Ask them to draw or act out their favorite part of the book, emphasizing the importance of creativity in understanding and overcoming fears. Lastly, highlight the value of teamwork and friendship, as shown in Norbert’s story, to teach empathy and collaboration.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in the face of fear
Explanation: Norbert the horse faces his fears head-on during a spooky night in the barn, showing bravery by investigating strange sounds and shadows.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to confront their own fears, whether it be trying something new or facing the dark, understanding that courage can help them overcome uncomfortable situations.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: When Norbert encounters challenges during his spooky night, he uses logic and reasoning to figure out what is causing the eerie occurrences.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to use critical thinking in their day-to-day challenges, promoting analytical thinking and solution-focused approaches.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Norbert learns to understand the fears of his barnyard friends and offers support and comfort.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of empathy by recognizing emotions in others and providing support, fostering caring relationships.
Example Lesson: The value of curiosity
Explanation: Norbert’s adventure begins with his curiosity about the spooky noises, highlighting how inquiry can lead to important discoveries and personal growth.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to explore their curiosity in learning environments and everyday life, which can lead to meaningful learning and development.
Example Lesson: Friendship and teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the night, Norbert works together with his barn friends to tackle the mystery, demonstrating the benefits of cooperation.
Real-World Application: This lesson underlines the importance of teamwork, showing children how collaborating with others can help solve problems more effectively.