Odd Jobs: The Wackiest Jobs You've Never Heard Of
on Goodreads (5)
What’s inside...
Presents the training, experience, and working conditions of twelve people with interesting or unusual occupations, including an alligator catcher, a movie sound effects man, and a food stylist. It explores the world of strange jobs and introduces the real people who get paid to do them, such as a professional armpit-sniffer, a food stylist, a master blaster, and more.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
80 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What is the most unusual job you learned about in 'Odd Jobs' and what makes it so interesting?
If you could invent a wacky job, what would it be and why?
How do you think people find these unique jobs, and would you ever consider trying one?
Which job from the book would you like to learn more about and what questions would you ask someone who does that job?
How do you think these odd jobs impact the world or the community around them?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their opinions and thoughts about each job discussed in the book, highlighting the creativity and uniqueness of each.
Make connections between the jobs in the book and your child's interests or hobbies, which could help them understand the jobs better.
Discuss the importance of all types of work and how diverse interests and skills contribute to our world in various ways.
Ask your child to draw or write about an odd job they would like to create, fostering their creativity and imagination.
Turn the conversation into a fun game by guessing what the daily tasks of each wacky job might entail before reading about them.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Open-mindedness towards unusual careers
Explanation: The book presents a variety of unique and unconventional jobs which encourages children to think broadly about career possibilities.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and respect diverse career paths beyond traditional roles, fostering a more open-minded approach in their future career choices.
Example Lesson: Creativity and innovation
Explanation: By exploring jobs that are out of the ordinary, the book highlights how creativity and innovation are valuable in the workforce.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to think creatively in problem-solving scenarios in school projects or daily tasks.
Example Lesson: Value of all types of work
Explanation: Each job discussed in the book, no matter how wacky, is shown to have value and contribute in its own way.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to respect and value all forms of labor, understanding that every role in society contributes to the bigger picture.
Example Lesson: Pursuing one’s passion
Explanation: The book illustrates individuals thriving in their unique, chosen careers, demonstrating that pursuing one’s interests can lead to satisfying work life.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to follow their interests and passions, which can lead to greater personal fulfillment and career satisfaction later in life.
Example Lesson: Understanding and tolerance
Explanation: By showcasing a wide range of unusual jobs, the book teaches children to be more understanding and tolerant of differences in others’ choices and lifestyles.
Real-World Application: This helps in nurturing more inclusive behavior in children, teaching them to appreciate and embrace diversity in their everyday interactions.