Pancakes for Plum
What’s inside...
Pancakes for Plum follows the whimsical journey of a young girl named Plum who discovers a magical world filled with delightful creatures and adventures beyond her wildest dreams. As she navigates this enchanting realm, Plum learns valuable lessons about friendship, bravery, and the power of imagination. A gorgeous and moving book that celebrates finding yourself, the value of trying and the wonders of music from a talented new author and illustrator.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Plum felt when everyone helped make pancakes?
What would you have added to your pancake if you were in the story?
Why is it important to help friends, like the characters helped Plum?
What did you learn about sharing and kindness from this story?
If you could create a pancake for someone, who would it be for and what would it look like?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to convey the emotions of the characters, making the story more relatable and engaging for your child.
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the story by asking what they would do in similar situations.
Discuss the importance of community and teamwork illustrated in the book, relating it to the child's experiences with friends or family.
After reading, consider making pancakes together as a practical and fun way to connect the story to a real-life activity.
Praise your child's responses to instill confidence and encourage further discussion and critical thinking about the book's themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Cooperation
Explanation: In 'Pancakes for Plum,' Plum and her friends work together to gather ingredients and make pancakes. This collaboration shows children the importance of working harmoniously to achieve a common goal.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson at school while collaborating on group projects or at home when helping with family chores.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: When Plum and her friends encounter challenges like finding a substitute for an unavailable ingredient, they use critical thinking and creativity to solve the problem. This highlights the significance of adaptable thinking.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think creatively when facing obstacles in their daily activities, such as figuring out how to fix a broken toy or resolving a disagreement with a peer.
Example Lesson: Sharing and Generosity
Explanation: Plum shares the pancakes with all her friends, demonstrating the joy and importance of sharing. The story conveys that sharing can lead to collective happiness and strengthen relationships.
Real-World Application: Children learn to share toys and snacks with friends, understanding that their actions can bring happiness to others and foster stronger friendships.
Example Lesson: Following Directions
Explanation: The recipe for pancakes in the book serves as a guide for Plum and her friends. This teaches children the importance of following directions to successfully complete a task.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children follow instructions in school assignments, games, and even while assembling toys or crafts.
Example Lesson: Celebrating Diversity
Explanation: Plum's friends are diverse, ranging from a squirrel to a rabbit, each contributing something unique to the pancake-making process. The story celebrates diversity, showing that everyone has something valuable to offer.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to embrace and learn from the diverse abilities and backgrounds of their classmates and community members.