Oswald Bastable and Others
#4 in The Treasure Seekers: Bastable Children Series
What’s inside...
A collection of stories first published in 1905, some of which feature the Bastable children from 'The Story of the Treasure Seekers'.
Character compass
Oswald Bastable
Alice Bastable
Dora Bastable
Horace Octavius Bastable (H. O.)
Noel Bastable
Dickie Bastable
Discussion points
What do you think motivated Oswald's actions in the story? How would you have reacted in a similar situation?
Which of the characters did you feel you could relate to the most and why?
How do the different settings in the book affect the story and the characters' adventures?
What lessons did the characters learn by the end of the book? Have you learned similar lessons in your own life?
If you could add one more adventure to the story, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in Oswald's shoes while discussing the key questions to foster empathy and deeper understanding.
Use the discussion as an opportunity to talk about values such as friendship, courage, and accountability, as demonstrated by the characters.
Highlight the historical context of the story to enhance your child's appreciation and understanding of the different scenarios.
Ask your child to imagine alternative endings or plot twists for the book to spark their creativity and engagement.
Discuss the decisions made by the characters and their consequences to help your child develop critical thinking skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of imagination
Explanation: The book showcases characters like Oswald Bastable who venture into imaginative play, creating engaging stories from their surroundings.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to use their creativity to see the world in new ways, enhancing problem-solving skills and cognitive flexibility.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: The children in the stories often work together to solve problems or create games, highlighting the power of cooperative effort.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the value of working with others to achieve common goals, an essential skill both in school and in family activities.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and consequence
Explanation: Characters face consequences for their actions, which teaches them to be responsible. For example, when plans go awry, they learn to deal with the outcomes responsibly.
Real-World Application: Helps children understand that their actions have consequences, promoting accountability and conscientious behavior.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Through interactions with different characters, the children learn to understand and share the feelings of others.
Real-World Application: Encourages empathy by helping children recognize and respond to the emotions of others, important for building strong interpersonal relationships.
Example Lesson: Creativity in problem-solving
Explanation: The book presents various scenarios where children use creative thinking to navigate challenges.
Real-World Application: Inspires children to think creatively in their problem-solving, useful for academic and personal challenges.