Norman the Naughty Knight and the Flying Horse
Norman The Naughty Knight Series
What’s inside...
The adventurous tale follows Norman, a young knight known for his mischief, as he encounters a magical flying horse. Together, they embark on a journey filled with challenges that test Norman's courage and wit. In another adventure, Norman and Doris the Dragon prepare for a big joust at Creaky Castle. However, Norman's penchant for telling silly stories lands him in trouble, forcing him to learn how to joust. The story is part of the Reading Ladder series, designed to help children enjoy learning to read with well-loved authors, classic characters, and engaging topics. Level 2 titles like this one are intended for emerging readers beginning to enjoy longer stories and feature clear type, bright pictures, varied sentence structures, and strong themes to discuss, making them perfect for use in schools and for parents supporting their children's reading journey.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-7
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think made Norman decide to be naughty, and how did his actions affect others?
If you had a flying horse like Norman, where would you go and why?
How do you think the story would change if Norman made different choices?
What did Norman learn by the end of the story? Have you ever learned a similar lesson?
How did the other characters in the book react to Norman's behavior and his flying horse?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about Norman's adventures. Use follow-up questions to delve deeper into their responses. Relate the story's themes to real-life situations your child may encounter, helping them navigate right and wrong. Lastly, emphasize the importance of learning from mistakes, just like Norman, to foster personal growth and empathy.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Norman learns to take care of his flying horse, demonstrating the importance of being responsible for those who rely on us.
Real-World Application: Children can relate this to caring for their own pets or being responsible for their toys and belongings.
Example Lesson: Honesty
Explanation: Throughout the story, Norman faces several situations where he must choose to be honest, reinforcing the value of truthfulness.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to practice honesty in their daily interactions, such as admitting mistakes or being truthful with friends and family.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Norman encounters challenges but doesn't give up. His journey teaches the importance of perseverance through difficulties.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to persist in their own challenges, be it in schoolwork, sports, or personal goals.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Norman shows kindness and understanding towards others different from him, teaching empathy.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this lesson by showing compassion and understanding towards their peers and in diverse social situations.
Example Lesson: Courage
Explanation: Facing fears and standing up for what is right is a recurring theme as Norman protects his flying horse and friends.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be brave and stand up for themselves and others in situations such as bullying.