One Summer Day
Once/Now/Then/After Series
What’s inside...
It was a time of pure chaos, a time when violence and fear ruled. With civil war looming in the beautiful island of Ecuador, the Zapata's, a small family of four, quietly planned their escape from all the destruction and their possible death from the war. Using their family's small fishing boat, Havier and Maria Zapata with their parents braved the sea and its dangers and an uncertain future with hopes of their salvation—living in peace in a new land.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-9
Length
53 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What was your favorite part of the summer day described in the book and why?
How do you think the main character felt when they made a new friend? Have you ever felt the same?
What activities from the book would you like to try next summer? Why?
How did the character's day change because they tried something new?
If you could add one more activity to their summer day, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use a gentle and curious tone to encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story.
Relate questions to your child's own experiences by asking if they have had similar experiences to the main character.
Emphasize the importance of trying new things and making new friends, aligning them with the character's experiences in the story.
Encourage critical thinking by asking what your child would have done differently if they were in the main character's shoes.
Finish the discussion by planning a fun summer day activity, inspired by the book, which you can do together.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The value of friendship
Explanation: In 'One Summer Day,' the characters demonstrate strong bonds of friendship as they navigate their summer adventures, supporting and caring for each other.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of building and maintaining friendships, and how being a supportive friend can positively impact others in their own daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Courage to try new things
Explanation: The protagonist faces new challenges and overcomes fears during a summer camp, showing resilience and bravery.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to step out of their comfort zones and try new activities or hobbies, teaching them growth comes from facing and overcoming challenges.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: Throughout the book, the characters encounter various problems that they solve together, using teamwork and creativity.
Real-World Application: Children learn to apply critical thinking and collaboration to solve problems they face at school or in social situations.
Example Lesson: Appreciation of nature
Explanation: The story's setting in a vibrant summer backdrop highlights the beauty of nature and the outdoors.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to explore and appreciate the natural world around them, fostering a sense of environmental stewardship.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Characters in the book show empathy by understanding and responding to the feelings of others, which helps resolve conflicts.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of empathy in understanding different perspectives and building strong interpersonal relationships.