Ozzie & Prince Zebedee
on Goodreads (95)
What’s inside...
Dragons Love Tacos meets Where the Wild Things Are in this rollicking story about the mishaps of a best friend duo from debut author and illustrator Gela Kalaitzidis. Ozzie and Prince Zebedee are the best of friends. They do everything together, but things change when Prince Zebedee accuses Ozzie of cheating and Ozzie swallows up Prince Zebedee in one big GULP! Before too long, an emotional Ozzie has crunched up half the town while a stubborn Prince Zebedee refuses to leave the dragon's tummy until he apologizes. With wit and charm, Gela Kalaitzidis has crafted a tale of love, forgiveness, and empathy in one hilarious package.
Age
3-7
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Ozzie and Prince Zebedee learned about friendship by the end of the story?
How did Ozzie feel when he first met Prince Zebedee, and how did his feelings change throughout the book?
Why do you think it's important for Ozzie and Prince Zebedee to work together? How does teamwork help them?
Can you imagine a different ending for the story? What would you change and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to reflect on the emotions of the characters, asking how they would feel in similar situations.
Discuss the problem-solving aspects of the story, asking your child to think of other ways the characters might have resolved their issues.
Relate the themes of the book to your child's own experiences, facilitating a deeper personal connection with the story.
Ask your child to draw or write a continuation of the tale, fostering creativity and deeper understanding of the narrative structure and character development.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship
Explanation: The story showcases Ozzie and Prince Zebedee tackling challenges together, demonstrating how teamwork and companionship are crucial.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of forming bonds and cooperating with others, skills important in school and social situations.
Example Lesson: The power of courage
Explanation: Throughout the adventures, Ozzie and Prince Zebedee face their fears. This highlights how bravery can overcome obstacles, no matter how daunting they seem.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to face their own fears, be it trying out for a sports team or standing up in a class presentation.
Example Lesson: The significance of problem-solving
Explanation: The protagonists frequently encounter puzzles that require clever solutions, illustrating critical thinking and ingenuity.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to apply logical thinking to navigate challenges in their academic and personal lives.
Example Lesson: Understanding diversity
Explanation: Ozzie and Prince Zebedee meet various characters from different backgrounds, teaching acceptance and appreciation of differences.
Real-World Application: This helps children embrace diversity in their community, fostering inclusivity from a young age.
Example Lesson: Resilience in adversity
Explanation: The book portrays how the characters persist in the face of setbacks, showcasing resilience as a key to success.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to keep trying and not be disheartened by failures, whether it’s during studies, sports, or other activities.