Our Shed: A Father-Daughter Building Story (Celebrate Father's Day with this Special Picture Book about a Dad's Love)
What’s inside...
A sweet, nostalgic father-daughter story, Our Shed celebrates DIY families as well as the unique creativity and spontaneity of each individual child. This lovely story is about a father teaching his daughter how to build a backyard shed for storing the necessities of family life--a lawn mower, sprinkler, sleds, kid toys. For each practical element the dad brings to the project, his daughter adds her own imaginative creative spin. In the end, they are both happy with their collaboration. And, just as dad passes building skills on to his daughter, so does his daughter eventually pass those skills on to her own son when they fix up the peeling shed at the end of the story. Kids love tools, building things, and spending time with parents. This story hits all those points with love and humor.
Age
5-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Daughter
Father
Discussion points
What are some ways the father and daughter worked together in the story?
How did building the shed make their relationship stronger?
What feelings did you notice in the daughter while she was helping her dad?
Can you think of a project that we could do together like the father and daughter in the book?
What does this story teach us about teamwork and love?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story by asking them how they would feel in similar situations.
Highlight the importance of collaboration by discussing how the father and daughter each contributed different skills and ideas to the project.
Use examples from your own experiences of working together on something as a family, and relate those experiences to the story.
After reading, consider planning a small project to do together, reinforcing the theme of teamwork and bonding presented in the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Value of Teamwork
Explanation: The story showcases a father and daughter working together to build a shed, emphasizing teamwork as they share tasks and solve problems together.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of collaborating with others to achieve a common goal, which can be applied in group activities at school or in play.
Example Lesson: Importance of Planning and Persistence
Explanation: Throughout the book, the characters demonstrate careful planning and persistence in completing the shed, highlighting these skills as key to accomplishing any task.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of planning ahead and persisting through challenges, whether in completing homework, learning a new skill, or managing daily tasks.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: The father-daughter duo imagines the shed not just as a building, but as a place of endless possibilities, encouraging creative thinking.
Real-World Application: Children are motivated to use their imagination in creative play and problem-solving, seeing beyond the conventional uses of objects and spaces.
Example Lesson: Expressing Love and Care
Explanation: The interaction between the father and daughter highlights expressiveness, showing care and affection through shared activities.
Real-World Application: This can help children in expressing their feelings towards family and friends, building stronger emotional connections.
Example Lesson: Learning Through Observation
Explanation: The daughter learns skills by watching her father work, emphasizing learning through direct observation and participation.
Real-World Application: Children understand the value of learning from adults and peers, enhancing their observational and participatory learning in different contexts.