Our Friend Sam
First Readers, Skills And Practice Series
What’s inside...
Let Little Critter(R) take your child on a reading adventure! Little Critter and Gabby befriend a caterpillar named Sam. They take care of him until one day, Sam builds a cocoon and transforms into a beautiful butterfly. This book is a winner of Children's Choices 20.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-7
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Sam felt when he shared his toys? Can you remember a time you felt the same?
What do you think makes someone a good friend? How can you be a good friend like Sam?
Why is it important to help others? What are some ways we can help our friends or family?
How did the characters change from the beginning to the end of the story?
If you were in this story, what would you do differently? Why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading: Play up the emotions in the story to help your child understand the characters’ feelings.
Relate to personal experiences: Connect events in the book to your child's life to make the themes more relevant.
Ask follow-up questions: Encourage deeper thinking by asking 'why' and 'how' after your child responds to the initial questions.
Offer praise: Acknowledge your child’s thoughts and answers to foster confidence and further engagement.
Create a regular reading routine: Set aside a special time for reading and discussion to build anticipation and focus.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: In the story, the main character, Sam, consistently shows kindness and tries to understand his friends' feelings and perspectives.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by acknowledging others' emotions and responding with compassion in their day-to-day interactions.
Example Lesson: Importance of Teamwork
Explanation: Sam and his friends work together to solve problems throughout the book, demonstrating how teamwork leads to better solutions.
Real-World Application: Kids can practice working cooperatively in group settings like school projects or sports, learning to value each team member's contributions.
Example Lesson: Courage to Try New Things
Explanation: The plot includes moments where Sam faces new challenges and learns to overcome his initial hesitations.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to face unfamiliar situations with courage, whether trying out a new sport or making a new friend.
Example Lesson: Resilience in Adversity
Explanation: Sam experiences setbacks in the story but shows resilience by persisting and not giving up.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of perseverance in overcoming personal challenges and difficulties.