Nova's Missing Masterpiece
What’s inside...
Nova's Missing Masterpiece follows the journey of a young, imaginative girl named Nova, who discovers that her most cherished painting has mysteriously vanished. Embarking on an adventurous quest filled with whimsical twists and turns, Nova navigates through a world where art comes to life, hoping to retrieve her lost masterpiece. Along the way, she encounters a cast of colorful characters and learns valuable lessons about creativity, friendship, and the power of perseverance. Additionally, the story uses a girl’s bond with her dog to address themes of anger, self-regulation, problem solving, resilience, and persistence. When Nova realizes the artwork she created for her dad’s birthday present is missing, she loses her temper. But her dog, Harley, remains calm and together they search for the missing piece. Nova eventually adopts Harley's calming strategies and discovers her masterpiece. The narrative offers useful coping strategies for dealing with anger and frustration, making the book an invaluable tool for social and emotional growth, and includes vibrant illustrations that help children understand how anger affects their bodies and minds.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think inspired Nova to create her masterpiece?
How did Nova feel when she couldn't find her artwork, and what would you do in her situation?
Why is it important to help friends, like how Nova's friends helped her?
Can you think of a time when you created something special and how you felt about it?
What lesson did you learn from Nova's adventure?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the book’s events and relate them to their own experiences. Ask open-ended questions to foster critical thinking and personal connection to the story. Utilize pauses after questions to give your child time to think and respond, showing genuine interest in their ideas. Reinforce the themes of creativity and friendship by planning a collaborative art project post-reading.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of perseverance
Explanation: Nova faces many challenges when trying to create her masterpiece, but she never gives up. Her determination eventually leads to success.
Real-World Application: Children learn to keep trying in the face of difficulties, whether it’s solving a tough math problem or learning a new sport.
Example Lesson: Creativity in problem-solving
Explanation: Nova uses unconventional methods and materials to create her art, demonstrating that creativity is not just about what you create but how you think.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think outside the box and find unique solutions in daily tasks and challenges.
Example Lesson: The value of self-expression
Explanation: Through her art, Nova expresses her feelings and ideas. This highlights that art can be a powerful tool for self-expression.
Real-World Application: Kids learn that their feelings and ideas are important and there are creative ways to express them, helping in emotional development.
Example Lesson: Cooperation is key
Explanation: In her journey, Nova learns to accept and incorporate input from others, which enriches her final piece.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of teamwork and considering other’s perspectives, enhancing their social skills.
Example Lesson: Dealing with disappointment
Explanation: Nova faces setbacks that initially disappoint her, but she learns to cope and keep moving forward.
Real-World Application: It shows children that setbacks are a part of life and teaches them resilience in facing them.