Orchard Book of Starry Tales
What’s inside...
What do you see when you look up at night? This book is a sumptuous collection of 15 myths from around the world about the sun, the moon, and the stars.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-12
Length
103 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What did you find most fascinating about the different starry tales?
How do you think the characters felt during their adventures?
Which story was your favorite and why?
How would you help a character from one of the tales if you were there?
If you could create your own starry tale, what would it be about?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive voices for different characters to make the reading session lively and memorable.
Ask your child to draw their favorite scene or character while discussing what they enjoyed about that part of the story.
Encourage your child to guess what might happen next in a tale before reading further to build anticipation and engagement.
Relate the themes or morals of the stories to real-life situations to help your child connect with the content on a personal level.
After reading, spend some time stargazing together and create new tales or imagine different endings to the stories from the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of perseverance
Explanation: Through the tales of various characters tackling seemingly insurmountable challenges, children learn the value of persistence and effort.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson in their daily activities like learning a new skill or completing a project, understanding that persistence leads to success.
Example Lesson: Understanding diversity and inclusion
Explanation: The book features characters from various backgrounds and stories, teaching children to appreciate and embrace differences.
Real-World Application: This lesson aids children in developing respect and empathy towards people from different cultures and backgrounds they encounter in school or social settings.
Example Lesson: The significance of courage and bravery
Explanation: Characters in the tales often face fearful situations but overcome them through bravery, providing a model of courage for children.
Real-World Application: Children learn to face their fears, whether it’s trying out for a school play, standing up to a bully, or tackling a new experience.
Example Lesson: Value of teamwork
Explanation: Many stories in the book underscore the successes achieved through collaboration and working with others, highlighting the benefits of teamwork.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be mirrored in group activities at school, sports, and peer interactions, teaching children that cooperation can lead to greater achievements.
Example Lesson: Respect for nature
Explanation: The settings and interactions with the natural world throughout the book emphasize the need to respect and protect our environment.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to engage in activities that promote environmental conservation such as recycling, planting trees, or participating in local clean-up days.